The African Queen is a 1951 adventure film adapted from the 1935 novel of the same name by C. S. Forester. The film was directed by John Huston and starred Humphrey Bogart and Katharine Hepburn. The story is set in German East Africa during World War I and follows the journey of a gin-swilling Canadian riverboat captain, Charlie Allnut (played by Bogart), who is persuaded by a strait-laced English missionary, Rose Sayer (played by Hepburn), to undertake a trip up a treacherous river. The film is notable for its thrilling and entertaining nature, as well as the powerful performances of Bogart and Hepburn.
Key aspects of the film include:
- Adventure: The film is considered a pioneer in war/jungle movies, with the two main characters embarking on a dangerous journey up a river filled with challenges and obstacles.
- Performances: Humphrey Bogart won the Academy Award for Best Actor for his role in "The African Queen," while Katharine Hepburn's performance was also highly praised.
- Technical: The film was shot in Technicolor by Jack Cardiff and has a music score by Allan Gray.
- Running Time: The film has a running time of 105 minutes.
The African Queen is a classic film that remains entertaining and engaging even after more than half a century, with its thrilling adventure, memorable performances, and timeless story.
Plot
"In WWI East Africa, a gin-swilling Canadian riverboat captain is persuaded by a strait-laced English missionary to undertake a trip up a treacherous river." The plot of The African Queen revolves around the journey of the two main characters, Charlie Allnut and Rose Sayer, as they navigate a dangerous river in Africa during World War I. The film portrays their contrasting personalities and the challenges they face, making it a compelling adventure story set in a unique and treacherous environment.
Cast
- Humphrey Bogart as Charlie Allnut
- Katharine Hepburn as Rose Sayer
- Robert Morley as Rev. Samuel Sayer
- Peter Bull as Captain of Louisa
- Theodore Bikel as First Officer
- Walter Gotell as Second Officer
- Peter Swanwick as First German Officer
- Richard Marner as Second German Officer
- Errol John as Engineer
- John Huston as the voice of the German captain
Director: John Huston
Writer: C.S. Forester, James Agee, John Huston, John Collier
Box Office Gross: $46,305
Distributor: United Artists
Genre: Adventure
Release Date (Theaters): Feb 20, 1952
Release Date (Streaming): Nov 1, 2016
Theme
The theme of The African Queen revolves around the contrasting personalities and values of the two main characters, Charlie Allnut and Rose Sayer. The film explores the clash of their different perspectives on life, adventure, and their roles in the world.
Reception
The African Queen was well-received by audiences and critics alike, earning a 100% Tomatometer rating based on 25 reviews. The film was praised for its thrilling adventure, memorable performances, and unique setting.
Settings
The film is set in German East Africa during World War I, specifically in the region surrounding the Congo River. The treacherous river and the dense African jungle serve as the backdrop for the story, adding an extra layer of danger and excitement to the adventure.
Visual Styles & Techniques
The African Queen features a mix of Technicolor cinematography by Jack Cardiff and a black-and-white opening sequence. The film is known for its striking visuals, including the lush African landscape and the dramatic river scenes. The film employs various cinematographic techniques to create a sense of immersion and dynamism. For example, the camera often moves quickly and fluidly during the river scenes to capture the intensity of the journey. Additionally, the film uses natural light and vivid colors to emphasize the contrast between the dark and light aspects of the story.
Trivia
- The film was the first collaboration between director John Huston and actor Humphrey Bogart, who would later work together on other classic films such as "The Maltese Falcon" and "Treasure of the Sierra Madre".
- The novel The African Queen by C.S. Forester, which inspired the film, was adapted into a musical by Kyle Idleman in 2014.
Fun Facts
- The film's production designer, Arthur Krams, also worked on another iconic film set in Africa, The Wizard of Oz.
- The film's composer, Allan Gray, also composed the music for the 1960 film "Swiss Family Robinson".