The African Queen

[Jim]

The comment below was taken from the IMDB. If you have seen this Movie and have a comment then please feel free to add it.

"The African Queen" might the most well-rounded movie I have ever seen, or at least most well-rounded of the oldies. Staring Humphrey Bogart and Katharine Hepburn 'The African Queen" touched on brilliance in action, adventure, comedy, and a nice little dose of drama and romance to create a package that anyone would love.

The majority of the filming was done with just Bogart and Hepburn as they steamed down the river in the filthy and boozing Captain Charlie Aunt's (Bogart) boat "The African Queen", in which the movie was named after. Hepburn played a strong willed missionary named Rose Sayer who was somewhat an annoying character early on but I thought effectively fell into

place as a character you applauded at just the right time in the movie. Anyone who has seen Hepburn in "True Grit" will realize she is playing pretty close to the same character which could have been a negative but in both cases (Being "True Grit" and "The African Queen") the combined talent of actors easily overpowered the problem.

The lone flaw that was obvious in the movie was the fact that a vast majority of the filming appeared to be filmed in studio with fake backgrounds. Of course it was standard practice at that time but given the clarity and visuals we are use to in this modern day and age it does stand out more than it would of even just ten years ago. I guess the reason it stands out so much in "The African Queen" is the adventure aspect itself was a very visual thing with the river rolling by behind the camera and many subtle actions in the background. I watched the movie on VHS because at the time of this review there isn't a good US release or a widescreen release. Which of course I question why it isn't cleaned up and released.

[Dave]

I'm a Bogart fan and never tire of this film, despite the studio backgrounds.

Trivia:
Bogart's last words:

I should never have switched from Scotch to Martinis

[Ricardo]

I saw this movie on TV, at least twenty years ago, I think.

I remember liking it, and I'd like to check it out again on DVD. A remastered version would be good news, and I can probably suspend my disbelief of the interior sets in movies from this era.

What time period was it set in?

[brandon05]

This is one of my favorite movies. But then again I have always been a big Katherine Hepburn fan. I thought she did a great job in this movie. My copy is also a VHS tape but it is still good.

[eireann]

I never thought Katharine Hepburn and Humphrey Bogart could make such a wonderful couple before this movie. It was absolutely one of the most romantic things I've ever seen.

[tongyun]

I am such a huge Humphrey Bogart fan that I really like just about every movie that he has been in including this one. One of my favorite scenes is when Katherine Hepburn tosses all of his booze. The saddest is when he sacrifices his boat for his country. It's a great movie and has stood the test of time.