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Humphrey Bogart, Katharine Hepburn, Robert Morley, Peter Bull, Theodore Bikel ... see more see more... , Walter Gotell , Gerald Onn , Peter Swanwick , Richard Marner , Errol John

After years of wooing director John Huston via good reviews, film critic James Agee was given a chance to write the screenplay for a Huston picture. Adapted from a novel by C.S. Forester, The African ... read more read more...Queen stars Humphrey Bogart in his Oscar-winning portrayal of Charlie Allnut, the slovenly, gin-swilling captain of a tramp steamer called the African Queen, which ships supplies to small East African villages during World War I. Katharine Hepburn plays Rose Sayer, the maiden-lady sister of a prim British missionary, Rev. Samuel Sayer (Robert Morley). When Germans invade and Samuel dies, Allnut offers to take Rose back to civilization. She can't tolerate his drinking or bad manners; he isn't crazy about her imperious, judgmental attitude. However it does not take long before their passionate dislike turns to love. Together the disparate duo work to ensure their survival on the treacherous waters and devise an ingenious way to destroy a German gunboat. The African Queen may well be the perfect adventure film, its roller-coaster storyline complemented by the chemistry between its stars. The profound difficulties inherent in filming on location in Africa have been superbly documented by several books, including one written by Katharine Hepburn. Screenwriter Peter Viertel (who worked, on an uncredited basis, on the script of this film - assisting with some of the dialogue) incorporated some of the African Queen anecdotes in his roman a clef about a Huston-like director/adventurer, White Hunter, Black Heart. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

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86% liked it

30,524 ratings

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100% liked it

37 critics

Unrated, 1 hr. 3 min.

Directed by: John Huston

Release Date: December 23, 1951

Keywords: adventure

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DVD Release Date: July 9, 2004

Stats: 1,608 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (1,608)

  • cosmo313
    April 30, 2012
    cosmo313
    I'm conflicted with this one. This shouldn't be the case. It's Huston, Bogart, and Hepburn...in a period piece romantic action comedy. This should be a stone could classic that I'm in love with.

    Instead, I'm pleased by it, but also stunned at how not excellent this actually is. ... read moreSet in German occupied Africa during World War I, the plot concerns a crusty, boozy river trader of a tramp steamer called The African Queen who agrees to take a zealous missionary back to civilization after German officers raid the village she and her brother were working in, burning it to the ground and leaving her as the sole survivor. Along the way, this odd couple have to contend with nature, the war, and one another, but eventually they do bond as you might expect...maybe.

    The set up is great, but the execution is what left me underwhelmed and a little disappointed. The leads are likeable (as actors), but their characters and performances are kinda blah and overdone. Had their been more weight to the script, and the characters been more darker and edgier, then this could have really had some bite to it. Maybe this is a film that truly does deserve a contemporary update. Also, some more dealing with the historical context of the setting woiuld have been great too. At least is was shot on location, which was a rare thing in those days.

    The setting and location shooting are great, the cinematography is decnt, but I kidna wishd this was in black and white...it would have added some needed grit to the proceedings.

    I didn't hate this, but it really came off as silly, which is an adjective that doesn't need to be used ot describe a project involving the cast and crew here. It's decent, but not as exciting and awesome as it truly could have been.
  • danperry17
    April 25, 2012
    danperry17
    The circumstances around the making of this film are almost as good of a story as the movie itself, being one of the first independent films to truly succeed, and to feature "old" people, (Bogart and Hepburn, both seeking to reclaim their careers in the wake of the McCarthy era).... read more The African Queen uses a deceptively simple plot about taking a decrepit old tub up the river and out of a war zone to tell its actual story: that of an unlikely romance between the grizzled Canadian ex-pat, Charlie, and the prim and proper missionary, Rose. Given that the action takes place at the beginning of the First World War, the potential for tragedy is high, but as explained in the DVD's special features, the ending was rewritten three times, the last one when Huston finally realized that despite the novel it's based on, the film he had made was a comedy. As Scorsese comments, "You can really only edit what you have," and what came through on the film was a genuine chemistry between two talented leads, which makes for a wonderful film. It's a bit talky by today's standards, and the technology's far from seamless in a lot of scenes, but it's an unassailable classic, and it should definitely be on your bucket list.
  • hunterjt13
    April 8, 2012
    hunterjt13
    A boat captain and a missionary must evade Nazis and nature on their way down an African river.
    The highlight of this film is Humphrey Bogart's performance. In an industry in which actors too often get cast as and play themselves, Bogart's performance is a departure from his nor... read moremal character. He laughs like a hyena, and imitates other animals; in a phrase, he's "not cool" - the definition of cool that he exemplified in Casablanca.
    I've always found Katharine Hepburn annoying, and while her fans will find plenty to like about her work here, I continue to cringe every time I hear her voice. Her character is often a bitch, and she plays this part well.
    Stuck on a boat, battling bugs and rapids, the film's characters must hold our attention, and by and large, they do so.
    Overall, The African Queen is canonical for a reason, but for me that reason is solely Bogart, deservedly a screen legend.
  • FrizzDrop
    January 12, 2012
    FrizzDrop
    A classic film with its own regard among critics and movie goers alike, much of the hoopla attributed to this film was because of the time it was made and has since waned in popularity. Though it still retains a beauty that cannot be replicated by time, effects, or storytelling, ... read moreit is still a film that does not stand the test of time like other Hepburn and Bogart films. Much of the leftover silliness comes from the story that everything is hinged upon. It's such an unbelievable premise, sinking a large steamer headed by the Germans in the First World War using a tug boat, that the ensuing acting is a bit overzealous. The true motivation behind why the marmish old maid Rosie (Hepburn) is uncertain, other than blatant nationalism and her unglaring faith in Christianity, is lost upon the audience. Though these womanly sensibilities aren't completely unrealistic, it's the fact that she sees everything through with such gusto that rids us of any believability that she is in fact timid or at least sweet hearted. Besides that the casting of Hepburn makes little sense. Her roles have always commanded both a weightful presence and feminist view or were so subtle and beautiful yet strong headed. Playing someone unfamiliar to herself came off as forced and unbearably tortured. The balance of the film came with the presence of Charlie (Bogart) as a crone of a ship's captain with a heart of gold. Why he immediately lets her onto his boat isn't certain except that he's a human being with abject sympathy and a conscience. I think this entire film would have worked out all for the better if he were more of a curmudgeon, or surly in some way. If he were more grating on the Christian woman that Hepburn plays so well instead of this meandering, misbelieving vagrant it would have been the classic love/hate relationship that would have been perfect for this story. They briefly disagree over the decision to sink the ship, but it goes Rosie's way pretty quickly. They never really do more than disagree. There are no fights, no exceptional problems to be solved except for their tirade against the rapids, waterfalls, and the wildlife of Africa. That's what makes the film work: the setting. The time period and setting make for gorgeous tracking shots of the African coastline, showing animals that include alligators, lions, flies, and shots of different birds. The flowers, trees, and rivers are distinct and, with the color, pop considerably. The romance between the two leads was a bit silly, but the gestures to which they show their undying devotion to one another make any girl swoon. Classic in some senses, it's still a lesser Huston film.
  • axadntpron
    December 3, 2011
    axadntpron
    A whimsical, sexually-charged adventure. While not a complete disaster, certainly not Huston's best work.
  • fb1664868775
    November 14, 2011
    fb1664868775
    One of the most fun and exciting movie experiences I've had, The African Queen is another masterwork by Huston and Bogart.
  • sanjurosamurai
    September 13, 2011
    sanjurosamurai
    similar to wages of fear, only less "fearful", the african queen is a truly iconic film. despite the small cast, simple script, basic premise, and singular location, the film is entertaining and fast paced. bogart is great, hapburn is less annoying than usual, and the film shin... read morees with rewatchability.
  • ironclad1609
    June 21, 2011
    ironclad1609
    An adventure film from a different era, with two of the biggest stars of that time. The great chemistry between Bogart and Hepburn carries this film, their dialogs are spot on. But also the cinematography and setting of the film, with the boat almost being a third character, adds... read more to the wonderful atmosphere of actually being on a river in Africa. Maybe the romance goes a little too smoothly, while the fighting of the two protagonists is more fun, but that's just how it used to be. Of course the film feels dated today, but it still is so very charming and entertaining.
  • jennifxu
    April 29, 2011
    jennifxu
    This was a lot rougher than I initially anticipated, but with that said, I think the style meshes well with the overlying narrative. It's nice to see Katharine Hepburn play a real bitch for a change instead of a tough as walls woman of the world or dizzy dame - and by bitch I mea... read moren annoying as hell.
  • ajv2688
    November 1, 2010
    ajv2688
    I really like this movie, it's a romantic adventure with two great actors, and they're great together. If you're a fan of either of them you should see this movie.

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Critic Reviews

William Brogdon
June 28, 2007
William Brogdon, Variety

It is a picture with an unassuming warmth and naturalness... Full Review

Don Druker
June 28, 2007
Don Druker, Chicago Reader

The direction is often questionable, but the screenplay (by James Agee, John Collier, Huston, and Peter Viertel from C.S. Forester's novel) is a model of tight construction. Full Review

Bosley Crowther
May 20, 2003
Bosley Crowther, New York Times

And so Mr. Huston merits credit for putting this fantastic tale on a level of sly, polite kidding and generally keeping it there, while going about the happy business of engineering excitement and vis... Full Review

Peter Bradshaw
March 3, 2011
Peter Bradshaw, Guardian [UK]

A ripping, gripping yarn, a surprisingly erotic love story and, as it happens, a premonition of Herzog's Fitzcarraldo. Full Review

Tim Robey
March 3, 2011
Tim Robey, Daily Telegraph

[A] grand, propulsive and plumly-restored slice of Technicolor derring-do. Full Review

David Parkinson
March 3, 2011
David Parkinson, Radio Times

What an inspired pairing! And to think the roles of Charlie Allnutt and Rose Sayer were nearly played by David Niven and Bette Davis. Full Review

Neil Smith
February 23, 2011
Neil Smith, Total Film

It's probably cameraman Jack Cardiff who deserves kudos for turning this odd-couple romance into such a colourful escapade through east Africa. Full Review

Matthew Connolly
February 9, 2011
Matthew Connolly, Slant Magazine

Huston understands the majestic savagery of his surroundings well enough to let it exert some dramatic pressure on what is primarily a buoyant romantic comedy. Full Review

David Fear
February 9, 2011
David Fear, Time Out New York

Five minutes in, and cowriter-director John Huston has already set the stage for something besides your typical '50s jungle-bwana boogie. Full Review

Matthew Pejkovic
July 6, 2010
Matthew Pejkovic, Matt's Movie Reviews

The performances by Humphrey Bogart (who earned his lone Oscar for his troubles) and Katharine Hepburn, along with John Huston's astute direction has produced a high spirited and highly entertaining a... Full Review

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Facts

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    • Charlie Allnut: Leeches ahhhh!
    • Rose Sayer: "Nature, Mr. Allnut, is what we are put into this world to rise above.
    • Charlie Allnut: A man takes a drop too much once in a while, it's only human nature.
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The African Queen Trivia

  • Which film is this the plot of? In Africa during WW1, a gin-swilling riverboat captain is persuaded by a strait-laced missionary to use his boat to attack an enemy warship.  Answer »
  • Complete The Movie Title Starring Katharine Hepburn; The ____ Queen  Answer »
  • Oscar winner for Best Actor of 1951 (all nominated):  Answer »
  • Which was the only movie that Humphrey Bogart won an Oscar for?  Answer »
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