Audience Rating: NR (Not Rated) Binding: VHS Tape EAN: 9786301505284 Format: Color ISBN: 630150528X Label: CBS/Fox VIdeo Manufacturer: CBS/Fox VIdeo Number Of Items: 1 Publisher: CBS/Fox VIdeo Release Date: 1997-08-26 Running Time: 105 Studio: CBS/Fox VIdeo Theatrical Release Date: 1952-02-20
The 1951 John Huston classic, set in Africa during World War I, garnered Humphrey Bogart an Oscar for his role as a hard-drinking riverboat captain in Africa, who provides passage for a Christian missionary spinster (Katharine Hepburn). Taking an instant, mutual dislike to one another, the two endure rough waters, the presence of German soldiers, and their own bickering to finally fall into one another's arms. This is classic Huston material--part adventure, part quest--but this time with a pair of characters who'd all but given up on happiness. Bogart (a longtime collaborator with Huston on such classics as The Maltese Falcon and Key Largo) and Hepburn have never been better, and support from frequent Huston crony Robert Morley (Beat the Devil, also featuring Bogart) adds some extra dimension and color. --Tom Keogh
Spotlight customer reviews:
Customer Rating: Summary: African Queen Comment: This needs no review - A classic movie!! If you have never seen it you definately should. If you don't like it you are probably too young to appreciate the classics. If you are old enough then you don't need my review. You already know!! Customer Rating: Summary: "Crazy, psalm singin' skinny ol' dame"-Charlie Allnut (Humphrey Bogart) Comment: The African Queen is my favorite Humphrey Bogart movie and was the first one I saw with my dad when I was about 6 or 8 years old. Opposites attract in this movie. Charlie and Rosie (Katherine Hepburn) are an odd couple indeed in this flick. Rose Sayer is a missionary, Charlie is a down and out, jack of all trades skipper of the African Queen, a small, quirky steam-propelled boat that barely fits two people. The story takes place in German East Africa. The year is 1914, WWI is beginning on the european continent, and its tremors are being felt thousands of miles away in Africa. Germans invade Rose's village, destroying it, sending its natives scampering away, some of whom become conscripts of sorts. This act sets in motion the rest of the story. Rose connects with Charlie who is also fearful of what these tidings forbode for their security. They come up with a strange plan to bomb the Luisa, a German naval vessel in Lake Tanganyika, but must have to travel the length of the treacherous Luangwa river to get to it. Therein is the tale. It's just one long, eventful boat ride the length of the movie.
Bogey got his only academy award for this as Best Actor in 1951. The movie was another one directed by John Huston.
My favorite scene is when they draw a British flag on a handkerchief and hoist it upon a makeshift mast. They're hiding within the reeds about to reveal themselves to the Luisa before their capture. Customer Rating: Summary: Why isn't this on DVD already? Comment: This is a classic and it's not on DVD yet. I've been waiting and waiting. Come on, put it on DVD already! Fantastic movie! Customer Rating: Summary: Great Oldie! Comment: I sat down and watched this two times the evening I received it, it is still an awesomely wonderful movie. Keep in mind the Region Codes though if you want to purchase this, it comes from Germany!, it is a great copy of the original, no problems with it at all! Customer Rating: Summary: The African Queen Comment: Excellent in all ways. I can find no fault with this movie in any way.
