"The African Queen"
Reviewed by Heather Picker
Directed by John Huston. Written by James Agee and John Huston. Starring Humphrey Bogart and Katharine Hepburn, with Robert Morley and Peter Bull. 1951, 104 min., Not Rated.
I'll be up front about this now, so that readers won't be surprised at the lack of criticism in this review: John Huston's "The African Queen" is one of my all-time favorite movies. The film begins with Reverend Samuel Sayer (Robert Morley) and the members of his church singing. His sister, Rose (Katharine Hepburn) is accompanying them, and eventually the crowd inside the church disperses when a scuffle ensues outside between several villagers over a cigar that Charlie Allnut (Humphrey Bogart) flicked to the ground.
Sam and Rose go outside, where Charlie hands them their mail. He is scruffy in appearance, a noticeable contrast to the clean-cut Sayers, who invite him home for tea. Sam and Rose are embarrassed by but say nothing about Charlie's growling stomach. As he readies himself to go back to his boat, The African Queen, he mentions that a war has broken out. The siblings are surprised and ask for details. Charlie says that the British and German are fighting, as are many "little" countries, but he doesn't remember the specifics.
After he leaves, German soldiers invade the small African village that Sam and Rose are living in as missionaries. They torch the dwellings of the villagers and round them up, forcing them to march ahead to an uncertain future. Sam and Rose are left behind, shaken. Charlie returns after awhile, and Rose tells him that her brother has died. She gets her things together as Charlie buries Sam, and the two set out for the African Queen, where they will discuss their plans for escaping.
The mismatched pair must learn, in spite of their disdain for one another, to function as a team in order to survive, with comedic results. Hepburn and Bogart have a humorous spark between them that really makes this film shine. She is perfect as the straight-laced spinster, and he turns in an Academy Award winning performance as the drunkard who becomes a hero with the help of a woman who is his total opposite.
In a somewhat unexpected plot twist, Rose, upon hearing that the Germans, aboard the ship Louisa, may be nearby, eyes some of the materials on the African Queen, and decides that Charlie and her are going to build a torpedo with which they can destroy the Louisa. An incredulous Charlie agrees at first, but later has second thoughts. As he realizes that she is more than a quaint religious woman, and she realizes that he is more than a whiskey-swilling bum, they become smitten with each other, sharing conversations about such things as how they used to spend their Sunday afternoons (she would enjoy a nice, quiet day, and he would usually be "sleeping one off").
When Charlie gets cold feet about their plan and gets drunk, he wakes up the next morning to find Rose pouring out the many bottles of gin he covets. Although at first upset, we later see a revitalized man who is beginning to regain control of his life and of the well being of himself and Rose. Facing many obstacles, such as forces of nature and the ailing African Queen, they finally catch some good luck and are once again hopeful.
If you do not yet know how "The African Queen" ends, and do not wish to find out, skip this and the next paragraph. After spotting the Louisa and estimating how long it will be until they see it again, they begin preparing the torpedo, and cleaning up the boat, as it will be representing the Royal Navy. Before the Louisa passes and the plan can be put into motion, the African Queen sinks and Charlie is captured by the Germans before finding Rose, who had disappeared underwater.
They are reunited on the Louisa, and are sentenced to execution by hanging. Before they are killed, Charlie asks that they be married. The captain agrees, and after they say "I do," the captain tells them, "I pronounce you man and wife. Proceed with the execution." While the impromptu ceremony is occurring, unbeknownst to everyone, the Louisa is nearing the mostly sunken African Queen. As the nooses are slipped around Charlie and Rose's necks, the Louisa brushes against the torpedo, and there is an explosion. The Louisa sinks and the shocked duo bask in the ocean at their patriotic success.
Filmed in Africa and London, "The African Queen" has wonderful cinematography. The beauty of the African jungle and the harrowing experience of the rapids are wonderfully brought to life. Huston is one of the greatest directors in history, and this is yet another example of the best he had to offer. Bogart gives the performance of his life, and Hepburn matches him stride for stride. Perhaps the most extraordinary thing about this film is that it starred two incredible screen legends that were completely in control of their talents, and they work surprisingly well together, bringing to the movie a special comedic chemistry that is the fuel behind the romance of Charlie and Rose. The script, which Huston co-wrote with John Agee, moves swiftly and sets the perfect tone for the movie. This isn't the typical WWI movie, but it has the elements of a top-notch adventure flick, plus much more.
Notes: Unfortunately, this film isn't available on DVD. It is priced at under $10 on videotape, and also available in a more expensive collector's edition. Not rated, but suitable for family viewing.
The Verdict: "The African Queen" is the quintessential adventure movie, full of romance and laughs. Terrifically directed and acted, it is a true classic that everyone should see at least once.
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