The African Queen

Most of us have seen the movie African Queen many times; one of the charms of this movie is that it is always fun to watch it again. This edition of the "Queen" rewards the purchaser with a delightful movie, a CD audio copy of the Lux Radio Theater broadcast, a reprint of Hepburn's book and a sample of the 35 mm frames showing the films restoration process. I found the quality of the video and the audio to completely satisfactory for a movie that old. If one is so inclined one can use a matrix setting to get fuller sound if that option is available on your system. I used the matrix setting and found it to be quite listenable. The video had moments of sharp clarity for example the lace trim on Rose's dress in the first scene, mixed with occasional moments of graininess. The video on the whole made a positive contribution to the enjoyment of the movie. If you have been waiting as long as some of have to add this movie to your collection, I urge you to take the plunge and buy this edition. I was delighted to see that it even fit in the rack with my other Blu-ray discs in spite of its thicker size. I remember when Lux Radio Theater was on the air; our family would gather around the old Philco radio and listen to that program plus many other radio programs that were to us exciting and eagerly awaited. We would turn off the lights and the glow of the dial on the Philco would be the only light in the room. If one were so inclined, one could recreate the feelings listeners in the 1930's and 40's had by playing the CD in a darkened room and letting your imaginations roam the wilds of German East Africa along with the Queen, Rose, and Charlie. I'm truly pleased to have this in my collection! Update 4/14/2010 Reviews dated before March 23, 2010 refer to something other than the Blu-ray release being featured here by Amazon! Some of the reviews are dated several years before this restored Blu-ray version was even released; the criticisms made about disc technical quality do not refer to this release. As you read the reviews it is critical that you check the date to confirm that the comments on disc quality actually apply to this particular version. If care isn't taken in that regard one can get a completely erroneous impression of this present edition! This one, which was 6 years in preparation after three strip negatives were discovered in London, looks very clear and sharp and is definitely a keeper! Update 5/23/2010 It was pointed out to me in comments that I could have been more precise in my update of 4/14/2010; I was only referring to disc technical quality, not reviewers comments on the acting, history, or other non-disc quality aspects of the older reviews. In many instances the older comments on history, actors and acting are timeless; I have revised my earlier update to clear up any confusion.

The African Queen is a wonderful movie.. The scenery is beautiful in the movie. Kathrine Hepburn and Humphrey Bogart work well together.

Two of the screen's greatest stars are only part of what makes The African Queen a movie to cherish. Humphrey Bogart is Charlie Allnut, plying a backwater stretch of a river in the borderlands between British and German claims in East-Central Africa (Kenya and Tanzania today). His tiny ramshackle open steamboat is grandly called the African Queen. Katherine Hepburn is Rose Sayre, spinster sister of Reverend Sayre, (Robert Morley) a forlorn Anglican missionary consigned to the African wilderness. Bogart's portrayal of Charlie Allnut brought all of his talent to bear, requiring a mixture of comedy, anguish, tender affection and heroism that resulted in his only Oscar-winning performance. Hepburn's prissy old maid is at first repelled by the slovenly, drunken boat captain, and her gradual transition into a middle-aged version of a blushing schoolgirl is priceless. The outbreak of World War I shatters the less-than-idyllic lives of these two characters, putting them together on the African Queen to run the rapids downriver to the lake where a German gunboat waits. One professional film critic described Bogart's character, Charlie Allnut, as a "rum-soaked Cockney", while in fact he is a gin-soaked Canadian. The crowd in a Canadian movie theater always responds with raucous laughter when Bogart describes himself as a "Canuck". Anxious fans wondered if this classic was ever going to be offered on DVD and Blu-ray. The delay might have had something to do with the modest picture quality of the original 1951 film, shot on location in the Congo. Regardless, two stars at the peak of their powers, a great story directed by Hollywood master storyteller John Huston, and a high-definition restoration of the film all combine to deliver one of the finest viewer experiences from Hollywood's golden era. An excellent extra, "Embracing Chaos: Making The African Queen" is included on the Blu-ray. For old folks this is a visit to the glorious past; for young people it is a chance to understand why that era was golden. Don't miss it.

The African Queen has finally made its debut on DVD! When the format arrived in 1997 the film had already seen at least one VHS release by Fox as well as a notable release on laserdisc, also by Fox, in 1995. The laserdisc release was notable because it included collectable packaging swag like the shooting script; a full-sized set of lobby card reproductions and a copy of Katherine Hepburn's 1987 memoir, The Making of The African Queen or How I went to Africa with Bogart, Bacall and Huston and almost lost my mind. The laserdisc was followed by no other home video release for 15 years. Hollywood is an industry that likes to double and triple-dip movie releases on DVD and someone has lost a fortune on this classic which should have been released over 10 years ago. I think even a bare bones release on DVD using the laserdisc transfer would have been acceptable while the film was being restored and remastered. One of the reasons for this delay is the unique history of the way The African Queen was financed. The film was an independent production released in 1951 at a time when the studio system was teetering over the cliff and in its final years. John Huston had the clout to finance an independent production, especially with Humphrey Bogart and Katherine Hepburn as co-stars. Based on the 1935 novel by C.S. Forester, the property was once owned by Columbia and later Warner Bros. and that's probably were Huston first became interested. Sam Spiegel purchased the film rights and financed the movie. He would later work with David Lean on Bridge on the River Kwai and Lawrence of Arabia. The film would eventually be distributed by United Artists and go on to win a well deserved Oscar for Humphrey Bogart. The production is well documented in the Hepburn memoir and the 1953 novel by Peter Viertel, White Hunter, Black Heart. The book is a thinly veiled retelling of the making of The African Queen while filming in Africa. This book was made into a terrific 1990 movie directed by and starring Clint Eastwood and makes a great companion to The African Queen. Viertel, a friend of Huston, went on location in Africa to work on the screenplay after original writer James Agee had a heart attack. Viertel's biggest contribution was the climax of the story. The new DVD and Blu-Ray comes with an excellent one-hour documentary, Embracing the Chaos: Making the African Queen. The commemorative box set includes a CD of the 1952 Lux Radio Theater broadcast with Bogart reprising his part from the movie, a set of mini lobby cards, a mini copy of the Hepburn memoir and a Senitype card with four 35mm frames of the restored Technicolor film used to remaster the DVD and Blu-ray. No trailer and I would have enjoyed an audio commentary, but at least the movie is finally out for home viewing. The African Queen looks better than I've ever seen it in the theater on TV or previous home video incarnations. White Hunter, Black Heart White Hunter Black Heart (Ws Dub Sub Dol Ecoa) The Making of the African Queen Or How I Went to Africa With Bogart, Bacall and Huston and Almost Lost My Mind The African Queen: 1400 Headwords (Oxford Bookworms Library)

This movie is a well-acted classic that is equal parts adventure and romance. The chemistry is great between Hepburn and Bogart, and the story is transportive to a different time. Now, that different time hasn't aged well in certain scenes, but if you know that going in, this is still a must-see.

I liked being able to find this movie. I got it for my son-in-law, who wanted to see it one more time, and we can no longer order from DVD Netflix.

This was the movie that started my interest in Humphrey Bogart about 35 years ago, and I've been patiently waiting for its release on DVD. Well, this package is worth it! The restoration is one of the best I've seen--fabulous Technicolor, great sound and a smooth, seamless movie. The bonus documentary is interesting, and a copy of Hepburn's book, along with the lobby cards and a three-strip Technicolor frame card are also nice extras. The film may be simple in plot, but certainly makes up for it in the characterization. Bogart is cast against type as Charlie Allnutt, the scruffy Canadian machinist in the wilds of Africa who pilots The African Queen, a tub that has seen better days, and makes the most of the part, showing himself to be adept at comedy. Hepburn is perfect as the missionary Rose Sayer--a plain spinster who turns into a brave woman as the movie progresses, planning to run the African Queen down the river to sink a German battleship, much, at first, to Charlie's dismay. Charlie and Rose change and grow, falling in love, and this is delightful to watch. John Huston got the most out of his stars, and his direction is perfect. With two pros like Bogart and Hepburn, he really didn't have to do much--they work well together, and are totally convincing. In all, one of the best films of the 1950s, and great performances from its two stars. A must-see film that I am constantly recommending to those who think that Bogie was just a "tough guy" actor--he was very versatile, and deservedly won the Oscar for this role. And, Kate Hepburn is no slouch, either--she's fabulous, and should have won an Oscar, but she lost out to Vivien Leigh (A Streetcar Named Desire)--a shame, really. It really was worth the wait!

JohnHustonDirector determined to shoot an elephant, hard drinking liked filming on location: the CongoRukiRiver near BiondoVillage and LakeAlbertUganda Kabalego Falls(MurchisonFalls) were not accustomed to hosting movie star film crew visits. There were no hotels. Food was scarce. Meat in the pot every night was followed by police who removed the food acquisition specialist, who was hung after local villagers began disappearing during Huston's sojourn. HUAC HouseUnAmericanActivitiesCommittee were deeply interested in Huston Bogart Bacall Hepburn who had given speech about censorship. JamesAgeePulitzerPrize wrote screenplay based on his own parents' relationship, adapting the novel AfricanQueen by CSForester. Agee fell ill, died of a heart attack 16May1955 NewYork taxicab at age 45. PeterViertel wrote the unexpected ending. LaurenBacall traveled with husband HumphreyBogart(1945-1957) to film AfricanQueen1951. Bacall was free of malaria unmentionable dysentery, Army ant and jigger infestations along with Huston and Bogie. Bacall ended up cooking, doing laundry, cutting hair and beards for the film crew who were otherwise dysentery malaria disabled. Bacall created a role for herself as crew nursemaid cook laundrywoman on TreasureOfSierraMadre1948 as well. KatharineHepburn drank only water, not knowing the water purifiers were non-functional and crew were drinking unfiltered poisonous river water. The river water threat to actors forced all scenes in water to be filmed in London. AfricanQueen2010 remaster opening scenes in the MissionChurch with RoseSayer(Hepburn) playing the organ clearly show her dehydration with sunken cheeks. Hepburn had a vomit bucket at her side upchucking between takes then continuing with filming. Hepburn had a personal loo on a separate barge; everyone else used the bushes. Hepburn's loo was dragged behind the flotilla of barges carrying crew, cars ramps ladders cinematographerJackCardiff's Technicolor4x2foot camera 2lamps and generator, AfricanQueen mockup. CharlieAllnut(HumphreyBogart) Canadian hard living unshaven gin-swilling AfricanQueen captain OscarBestActor is a sharp turn from Bogart roles as calm suave tuxedoed deliberate (Casablanca IngridBergman1942 IMDb8.5/10 646,869 ratings, Sabrina AudreyHepburn1954 IMDb7.6/10 74,663 ratings). The rigors of filming in Technicolor required 3rolls of film in 4x2ft monster Technicolor camera, heat, humidity, jiggers in Bogie's feet, ArmyAnt blanketing tents eating anything in their way, elephant trumpeting threats hippos, giraffes, crocodiles, chimpanzees, hunger, fatigue, diarhea vomiting, tent living and using tall grass for toileting, are captured in EmbracingChaos:MakingAfricanQueen 2010 disc remaster hourlong BonusEnglishSubtitles engrossing film itself about the rigors of shooting AfricanQueen IMDb7.7/10 87,919 ratings. The name AfricanQueen was borrowed for MadeInAmerica WhoopiGoldberg TedDanson WillSmith JenniferTilly comedy IMDb5.1/10 18,569 ratings about yearning for an unknown father. AfricanQueen 1h45m is gripping comedic romantic courageous and humbling. Authentic respect and mutual affection leap off the screen between the Bogie and Hepburn. LaurenBacall and KatharinHepburn as friends embody self-supporting competent independent spirit which allows unique devotion toward the one they love, SpencerTracy in Hepburn's case. Bacall was devoted to Bogart. Hepburn's Rosie's initial dismissive missionary disdain toward MrAllnut was curbed by DirectorHuston's suggestion that she act like a Lady. I am a lady insisted Hepburn. Huston replied: think of EleanorRoosevelt. She always thought of herself as an ugly woman. Yet her attitude toward all she met was nurturing accepting smile. Later Hepburn in memoir MakingAfricanQueen: OrHow I WentToAfricaWithBogartBacallHuston and AlmostLostMyMind considers that single simple undecorated direction the most consequential of her acting career. AfricanQueen 5* cinematography captures Africa1951 portrayed as 1914GermanEastAfrica at outset of WWI between Britain and Germany. CanadianRiverboat captain Charlie(HumphreyBogart) and a skinny ugly missionary Rosie(KatharineHepburn) experience growing mutual respect admiration and affection, both as film characters and human beings, amidst the adventure of a lifetime. Two losers achieve patriotic victory.