the african queen (1951)
Studio: United Artists
Cast: Humphrey Bogart (Charles Allnut), Katharine Hepburn (Rose Sayer)
Director: John Huston
Jeff Krause
Plot summary
At the outbreak of World War I, a British missionary flees German East Africa with the help of the hard-drinking captain of the river boat The African Queen.
Review
The African Queen begins in German East Africa. The year is 1914. A brother and sister team of British missionaries is surprised to learn from a steamboat captain that war has broken out in Europe between the great powers. Their hopes that the war will be limited to Europe are dashed when German soldiers march in, burn the village and take the villagers away. The brother is wounded in the attack and dies a few days later. The steamboat captain returns and agrees to take the sister aboard.
As the two assess their situation, it becomes clear they don’t have many options. Heading downriver leads them deeper into German territory while heading upriver eventually leads to safety but only if they can get past a German fort and warship. Steamboat captain Charlie Allnut (Humphrey Bogart) is content to do neither. In his opinion, the two should find a quiet cove and sit out the war. After all, the African Queen is well stocked with something he has an affinity for – gin. Missionary Rose Sayer (Katharine Hepburn) has different ideas. She wants to avenge her brother and do her part for the British war effort. Eventually, she wins over Allnut and convinces him to not just bypass the German warship but to attempt to sink it.
There are many things that make this movie a true classic.
Following the example set by King Solomon’s Mines (1950), it was filmed on-location in the Congo. The scenery is stunning, especially when compared to previous films supposedly set in Africa. The film does not take place in some man-made jungle constructed on a Hollywood backlot. The scenery, like the rest of the story, is genuine.
Bogart was 51 and Hepburn was 44 when the African Queen was released. Their on-screen romance is unusual in that it is between two mature adults. However, it is apparent that romance is entirely new to both characters. Their behavior toward one another is often awkward and inexperienced like two people unsure of what to do.
Humphrey Bogart won his only Oscar for his portrayal of Charlie Allnut. Katherine Hepburn was nominated for the fifth time. Seven more nominations would follow in her remarkable career and her four wins would span forty-eight years.
Why You Should Watch It
If for no other reason, you should watch The African Queen for the star power. While that could be said about many classic films, the storyline and remote setting of the African Queen mean that 90% of the film features the two stars on screen together with no distractions for the viewer other than the African scenery in the background. It is a rare opportunity to see two Hollywood legends at their best.
Things to watch for
One of the most memorable scenes from The African Queen is the opening sequence. Rose and her brother (Robert Morley) are leading the natives in the singing of a hymn. The singing by the natives is completely unintelligible and their faces are a mixture of indifference, confusion, boredom and perhaps a little fear. When a steam whistle announces the arrival of Charlie and his boat, most of the natives take the opportunity to exit the church service early. It is an amusing scene but I suspect film makers were trying to make some other point about religion, the effectiveness of missionaries or the devotion of church congregations.
Another memorable scene is the morning after Charlie determines their mission is bound to fail, vows to go no further and passes out after drinking too much gin. He wakes up to Rose pouring his precious gin overboard and pleas with her “Oh, Miss”, “Oh, have pity Miss” and “I’ll perish without the hair of the dog, Miss”.
Did You Know?
Katharine Hepburn had a knack for bringing out the best in her co-stars. Humphrey Bogart won his only Oscar playing opposite Hepburn in the African Queen. Other legends to win their only Oscar playing opposite Hepburn were James Stewart for The Philadelphia Story and Henry Fonda for On Golden Pond.
Rating (19)
Star Power (5) Two Hollywood legends at the peak of their careers.
Movie History (5) Humphrey Bogart’s only Oscar win.
Innovation (4) One of the first movies about Africa to be filmed on location in Africa.
Overall (5) A movie with a little of everything – adventure, romance, comedy and war.
