AFRICAN QUEEN, THE (1951, UK/USA, 106m, PG) ****
Adventure, Drama, Romance, War
dist. United Artists (USA), Independent Film Distributors (IFD) / Remus Films (UK); pr co. Romulus Films / Horizon Pictures; d. John Huston; w. James Agee, John Huston (based on the novel by C.S. Forester); pr. Sam Spiegel, John Woolf; ph. Jack Cardiff (Technicolor | 1.37:1); m. Allan Gray; ed. Ralph Kemplen; ad. Wilfred Shingleton.
cast: Humphrey Bogart (Charlie Allnutt), Katharine Hepburn (Rose Sayer), Robert Morley (Rev. Samuel Sayer – The Brother), 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), Harry Arbour (German Sergeant Major at Kungdu (uncredited)), Errol John (Undetermined Role (uncredited)), Joseph Layode (African Sergeant (uncredited)), Gerald Onn (Petty Officer (uncredited)), John von Kotze (German Officer (uncredited)).
Character-driven adventure set in Africa at the outbreak of WWI in which Bogart escorts bereaved missionary Hepburn down a treacherous river on his small steamer in an attempt to inflict some damage on the Germans who killed Hepburn’s brother. The film coasts on the performances of its charismatic stars and Cardiff’s colourful location photography. The story has its implausibilities, not least the swift change in the protagonist’s relationship from initially antagonistic to loving. Some of the model work is a little too obvious in the scenes in the rapids, and the film’s finale feels overly contrived. For all this, the film is essential viewing to see two stars at the top of their game. Reworked in 1975 as the Western ROOSTER COGBURN, with Hepburn and John Wayne in the lead roles. A TV version followed in 1977.
AA: Best Actor in a Leading Role (Humphrey Bogart)
AAN: Best Actress in a Leading Role (Katharine Hepburn); Best Director (John Huston); Best Writing, Screenplay (James Agee, John Huston).
