The African Queen

( 57 )

Overview

After years of wooing director John Huston via good reviews, film critic James Agee was given a chance to write the screenplay for a Huston picture. Adapted from a novel by C.S. Forester, The African Queen stars Humphrey Bogart in his Oscar-winning portrayal of Charlie Allnut, the slovenly, gin-swilling captain of a tramp steamer called the African Queen, which ships supplies to small East African villages during World War I. Katharine Hepburn plays Rose Sayer, the maiden-lady sister of a prim British missionary,...
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More About This Product

Overview

After years of wooing director John Huston via good reviews, film critic James Agee was given a chance to write the screenplay for a Huston picture. Adapted from a novel by C.S. Forester, The African Queen stars Humphrey Bogart in his Oscar-winning portrayal of Charlie Allnut, the slovenly, gin-swilling captain of a tramp steamer called the African Queen, which ships supplies to small East African villages during World War I. Katharine Hepburn plays Rose Sayer, the maiden-lady sister of a prim British missionary, Rev. Samuel Sayer Robert Morley. When Germans invade and Samuel dies, Allnut offers to take Rose back to civilization. She can't tolerate his drinking or bad manners; he isn't crazy about her imperious, judgmental attitude. However it does not take long before their passionate dislike turns to love. Together the disparate duo work to ensure their survival on the treacherous waters and devise an ingenious way to destroy a German gunboat. The African Queen may well be the perfect adventure film, its roller-coaster storyline complemented by the chemistry between its stars. The profound difficulties inherent in filming on location in Africa have been superbly documented by several books, including one written by Katharine Hepburn. Screenwriter Peter Viertel who worked, on an uncredited basis, on the script of this film - assisting with some of the dialogue incorporated some of the African Queen anecdotes in his roman a clef about a Huston-like director/adventurer, White Hunter, Black Heart.
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Special Features

Closed Caption; Embracing Chaos: Making the African Queen
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Editorial Reviews

All Movie Guide
Yes, you know that the amusingly juxtaposed boozy sailor (Humphrey Bogart) and missionary's sister (Katharine Hepburn) will eventually see past their opposite-world differences to find love. But getting from A to B has never been so much fun as it is in this John Huston masterpiece. The African Queen is a sterling example of the kind of rollicking adventure that makes classic film enthusiasts pine for the old days. It has it all: action, comedy, and romance that unfold in a perfect synergy of plot, character, and dialogue. The film was deservedly nominated for four key Oscars: for Huston and James Agee's screenplay, for Huston's directing, and for Bogart and Hepburn, though only Bogart won (the only Oscar of his career). Bogie and Hepburn were in the primes of their careers here, and their talent shows. We buy that they grow to love each other, and the actions and incidents that prove their devotion -- Rose jumping into the leech-infested water to help Charlie, for example -- come across with genuine emotion. The only easy point of criticism (a big one for those who like their plots tight) is the ironic nautical coincidence that brings about our heroes' salvation. The beautiful on-location filming in the then-Belgian Congo and British Uganda was legendarily difficult. But, like Charlie and Rose trying to get that boat down the river, Huston and his team never gave up. Filmgoers everywhere should be thankful for that.
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Product Details

  • Release Date: 3/23/2010
  • UPC: 097363701446
  • Original Release: 1951

    • Rating:

  • Source: Paramount
  • Region Code: 1
  • Presentation: Remastered / Restored / Full Frame
  • Language: Français
  • Time: 1:45:00
  • Format: DVD

Cast & Crew

Performance Credits
Humphrey Bogart Charlie Allnut
Katharine Hepburn Rose Sayer
Robert Morley Rev. Samuel Sayer
Peter Bull Captain of Louisa
Theodore Bikel First Officer
Walter Gotell Second Officer
Gerald Onn Petty Officer
Peter Swanwick First Officer of Shona
Richard Marner Second Officer of Shona
Technical Credits
John Huston Director, Screenwriter
James Agee Screenwriter
Leigh Aman Production Manager
Jack Cardiff Cinematographer
Sam P. Eagle Producer
George Frost Makeup
Allan Gray Score Composer
Guy Hamilton Asst. Director
Ralph Kemplen Editor
John W. Mitchell Sound/Sound Designer
Cliff John Richardson Special Effects
Wilfred Shingleton Art Director
Sam Spiegel Producer
Peter Viertel Screenwriter
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Scene Index

Disc #1 -- The African Queen
1. Chapter 1
2. Chapter 2
3. Chapter 3
4. Chapter 4
5. Chapter 5
6. Chapter 6
7. Chapter 7
8. Chapter 8
9. Chapter 9
10. Chapter 10
11. Chapter 11
12. Chapter 12
13. Chapter 13
14. Chapter 14
15. Chapter 15
16. Chapter 16
17. Chapter 17
18. Chapter 18
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Menu

Disc #1 -- The African Queen
   Play
   Set up
      Audio Options: English Mono
      Audio Options: Français
      Audio Options: Español
      Audio Options: Português
      Subtitle Options: English
      Subtitle Options: Français
      Subtitle Options: Español
      Subtitle Options: Português
      Subtitle Options: None
   Special Features
      Embracing Chaos: Making the African Queen
      Previews
   Scene Selection
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Customer Reviews

Average Rating 3.5
( 57 )
Rating Distribution

5 Star

(23)

4 Star

(9)

3 Star

(9)

2 Star

(9)

1 Star

(7)

Your Rating:

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See All Sort by: Showing 1 – 20 of 57 Customer Reviews

  • Posted October 1, 2010

    Not the best "restored" movie I've seen.

    "African Queen" is one of my favorite movies. I have already made transformations from broadcast & VHS to DVD, both in color and black & white. I actually prefer the original B&W version, but this was not offered here. Widescreen format was also not offered here.

    I am a professional audio engineer, and although not that familiar with video, I have "dabbled" in it. I do quite a bit of audio restoration and re-mastering.

    I was a little dissapointed with the restoration of the "African Queen" and would like to have seen a more screen formats available, as well as possibly a combined DVD with color & black & white.

    The "African Queen" still remains as a favorite, but I'll be watching my own B&W copy rather than this new, resored one.

    Was this review helpful? Yes  NoThank you for your feedback.   Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.

  • Posted October 1, 2010

    Classic!

    One of my all time favorite movies. Katharine Hepburn is fantastic as always, and Humphrey Bogart gives an Oscar winning performance.

    One of those films that stays with you because of it's humor but also because of it's innocence of a time gone by. It just might be an influence on many of the modern characters such as "Elizabeth Swann and Jack Sparrow" from Pirates of the Caribbean. I laughed when I watched Rose dumping the rum over board again on the dvd.

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  • Posted October 1, 2010

    Great story, great visuals

    Wonderful Bogart and Hepburn

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  • Anonymous

    Posted October 1, 2010

    African Queen a definite HIT

    I love Kate Hepburn and I love Bogey, so together they were awesome.

    The background photography of the animals, sounds, all the scenery was beautiful. The plot was simple enough, but at the time of filming, it was the hot topic, and it works, so why argue?

    I have read Kate's autobio, so I knew some of the trauma that went with making the movie, and some of the hardships that they all faced while filming it (ie - Kate put lotion all over her body before getting into the water to protect her as much as possible, but forgot to put eyedrops in her eyes, and ended up with conjunctivitis) The acting on all fronts was spectacular, and it is a fun movie to watch.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted October 1, 2010

    Good gift for parents

    This was a mother's day gift. Both of my parents enjoyed this classic.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted October 1, 2010

    FUNNY AND ENTERTAINING! A CLASSIC!!!!

    Unfortunately; the DVD itself is flawed! I was only able to watch about half of the movie. Although it has been many years since I have actually seen this movie; I recall more than a few scenes which were funny, thought provoking, moving and exciting!
    This is a classic story of a "rolling stone" man who encounters adventure and hardships with a very prim and proper "lady". It is through those adverse conditions and trials that you find that these two are both human and caring people ... having weakneses and strengths unthought of.
    I hope to exchange the defective DVD and watch this movie over and over again ... and probably again!

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  • Anonymous

    Posted October 1, 2010

    African Queen

    Thrilling, and funny, you'll like this adventure film. The time period is World War I. Humphrey Bogart is a river trader who indulges in drinking most of the time. Kathrine Hepburn plays a prim and proper missionary. Charlie and Rose enter into a forced trip down the river together, meeting some unsavory German Offier's along the way and find romance in the process.

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  • Posted October 1, 2010

    Hai Chenenowah !

    From The Looks of the cover this is the African Queen edition put out in Hong Kong. For such a Great movie to be poorly remastered is a crime. Hollywood or the UCLA Film society should remaster this Great film with the care it deserves, clean up the video and sound properly. Why this particular Bogart film took so long to make it to DVD is a Mystery. It's too bad that great films like this and "No time for Sargeants" are only available in these less than steller DVD editions.

    The Movie itself is one of my favorites of all time.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted October 1, 2010

    different

    Humphrey Bogart's performance is different from any of this others!

    0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted September 30, 2009

    No text was provided for this review.

  • Anonymous

    Posted March 23, 2010

    No text was provided for this review.

  • Anonymous

    Posted March 28, 2009

    No text was provided for this review.

  • Anonymous

    Posted February 13, 2009

    No text was provided for this review.

  • Anonymous

    Posted March 24, 2010

    No text was provided for this review.

  • Anonymous

    Posted December 7, 2008

    No text was provided for this review.

  • Anonymous

    Posted February 9, 2012

    No text was provided for this review.

  • Anonymous

    Posted January 27, 2009

    No text was provided for this review.

  • Anonymous

    Posted June 28, 2010

    No text was provided for this review.

  • Anonymous

    Posted March 23, 2010

    No text was provided for this review.

  • Anonymous

    Posted March 25, 2010

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See All Sort by: Showing 1 – 20 of 57 Customer Reviews