IMDb > The African Queen (1951)
The African Queen
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The African Queen (1951) More at IMDbPro »

Photos (See all 55 | slideshow) Videos (see all 9)
The African Queen -- The African Queen: DVD/Blu-ray Trailer
The African Queen -- Clip: What an absurd idea
The African Queen -- Featurette: Restoring The African Queen part two
The African Queen -- Home Video Trailer for the restored version of this film
The African Queen -- Trailerfan.com - Trailer (Flash)

Overview

User Rating:
8.1/10   33,833 votes »
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Up 14% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Director:
Writers:
C.S. Forester (novel)
James Agee (adapted for the screen by) &
John Huston (adapted for the screen by)
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Contact:
View company contact information for The African Queen on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
20 February 1952 (USA) See more »
Genre:
Tagline:
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 synopsis »
Plot Keywords:
Awards:
Won Oscar. Another 1 win & 5 nominations See more »
User Reviews:
Out of Africa with Bogey and Kate See more (164 total) »


Additional Details

Also Known As:
Runtime:
105 min
Country:
Language:
Color:
Color (Technicolor)
Aspect Ratio:
1.37 : 1 See more »
Sound 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) | UK:PG (re-rating) (2006) | UK:U (video rating) (1987) (2001) | UK:U (tv rating) | Netherlands:9 (2010) (DVD) | Argentina:13 | Australia:G | Finland:S | Iceland:L | Netherlands:AL (video rating) | Sweden:15 | UK:U | West Germany:12

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
Lauren Bacall famously ventured along for the filming in Africa to be with husband Humphrey Bogart. She played den mother during the trip, making camp and cooking. This also marked the beginning of her life-long friendship with Katharine Hepburn.See more »
Goofs:
Revealing mistakes: Allnut gets wet sleeping under the open sky, and Rose finally lets him into the canopied part of the boat. After he falls asleep, she opens an umbrella to protect him from the rain. When she opens the umbrella, it is already wet, presumably from previous takes.See more »
Quotes:
Captain of Louisa:By the authority granted to me by his Imperial Majestey Kaiser Wilhelm the Second I pronounce you man and wife - proceed with the execution.See more »
Movie Connections:
Referenced in Mule Skinner Blues (2001)See more »
Soundtrack:
Bold FishermanSee more »

FAQ

What were Charlie and Rose doing in Africa?
How does it end in the book?
Why did Rose accompany Charlie down the river on the African Queen?
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15 out of 20 people found the following review useful.
Out of Africa with Bogey and Kate, 6 February 2002
Author: gaityr from United Kingdom

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! ;)

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Message Boards

Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for The African Queen (1951)
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Better strategy rowdyturner23-1
The animal impersonations... Xcobidoo
well i'm the first Markeehun
Is the geography correct? wvmcl
Anyone see this film and Ponyo? tharri@xpres.net
Did I mishear? theredtinkerbell
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