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The African Queen (1951)
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Overview
User Rating:
Release Date:
20 February 1952 (USA) moreTagline:
The greatest adventure a man ever lived...with a woman!Plot:
In Africa during WW1, a gin-swilling riverboat owner/captain is persuaded by a strait-laced missionary to use his boat to attack an enemy warship. full summary | full synopsisAwards:
Won Oscar. Another 1 win & 5 nominations moreNewsDesk:
(11 articles)
Jack Cardiff Dies (From EmpireOnline. 23 April 2009, 5:46 AM, PDT)
Jack Cardiff, Legendary Cinematographer, Director And Writer, Dies At Age 94
(From CinemaRetro. 22 April 2009, 3:59 PM, PDT)
User Comments:
Out of Africa with Bogey and Kate moreUS TV Schedule:
| Sun. July 12 | 8:00 PM | TCM |
Cast
(Complete credited cast)| Humphrey Bogart | ... | Charlie Allnut | |
| Katharine Hepburn | ... | Rose Sayer | |
| Robert Morley | ... | Rev. Samuel Sayer | |
| Peter Bull | ... | Captain of Louisa | |
| Theodore Bikel | ... | First Officer | |
| Walter Gotell | ... | Second Officer | |
| Peter Swanwick | ... | First Officer of Shona | |
| Richard Marner | ... | Second Officer of Shona |
Additional Details
Parents Guide:
View content advisory for parentsRuntime:
105 minColor:
Color (Technicolor)Aspect Ratio:
1.37 : 1 moreSound Mix:
Mono (Western Electric Recording)Certification:
Canada:G (Manitoba/Nova Scotia/Quebec) | Canada:PG (Ontario) | Norway:7 | Singapore:PG | USA:Approved (PCA #15611) | South Korea:15 (2002) | Argentina:13 | Australia:G | Finland:S | Iceland:L | Netherlands:AL (video rating) | Sweden:15 | UK:U | USA:Unrated | West Germany:12Fun Stuff
Trivia:
The boat is now docked next to the Holiday Inn just off US Highway 1, in Key Largo, Florida. moreGoofs:
Continuity: When arguing about who is going to steer the torpedoes, a cigar suddenly appears in Charlie's mouth. moreQuotes:
Rose Sayer: Dear Lord, We've come to the end of our journey, and in a little while we'll stand before you. I pray for you to be merciful. Judge us not for our weaknesses, but for our love and open the doors of heaven for Charlie and me. moreMovie Connections:
Referenced in Discovering Treasure: The Story of 'The Treasure of the Sierra Madre' (2003) (V) moreSoundtrack:
God of Grace and God of Glory (Cwm Rhondda) moreFAQ
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This is one of those films whose special effects and scenery must have been astounding at the time (1951), but which seem mediocre at best today. BUT, and that's a big 'but', this does not detract from the greatness of the movie overall. The scenery truly is beautiful, for one thing--and the direction and cinematography is great.
However, what truly makes this film a classic, and deservedly so, is the performances given by the lead actors. For their one film together, Humphrey Bogart and Katharine Hepburn pull out all the stops. Bogart is crude, dirty and a low-life river-rat with a heart of gold. He gives the Oscar-winning performance of his lifetime. Hepburn is prim and prissy, but always manages to win us over with her radiance and vulnerability, as well as that core of steel and strength she lends to all her on-screen characters. He's charming, in his way; she's achingly beautiful in hers. You can't help but warm to Charlie and Rosie, and truly, genuinely root for them to get together.
The ending is predictable; all 'opposites-attract' romance adventure stories are. You know without a doubt that the sunset will be there for Charlie and Rosie to ride off (or swim) into together. But you still hurt when Charlie hurts; and you still smile like a fool when he sees Rose, and when he tries to explain her forthrightness away by jungle fever. You believe the love, and that's what the African Queen is all about.
Oh, and the gin and leech scenes, of course. Those are brilliant, as everyone else here has already mentioned! ;)