- Actors: Humphrey Bogart, Katharine Hepburn, Robert Morley, Peter Bull, Theodore Bikel
- Directors: John Huston
- Writers: John Huston, C.S. Forester, James Agee, John Collier, Peter Viertel
- Producers: John Woolf, Sam Spiegel
- Format: PAL
- Language English, German, Swahili
- Region: Region 2 (This DVD may not be viewable outside Europe. Read more about DVD formats.)
- Aspect Ratio: 4:3 - 1.33:1
- Number of discs: 1
- Classification: U
- Studio: ITV Studios
- DVD Release Date: 16 July 2001
- Run Time: 105 minutes
- Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (35 customer reviews)
- ASIN: B00005AY14
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 13,006 in Film & TV (See Top 100 in Film & TV)
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Amazon.co.uk Review
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. The African Queen 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 colour. --Tom Keogh
Amazon.co.uk Review
The African Queen, John Huston's 1951 classic set in Africa during World War I, garnered Humphrey Bogart an Oscar for his role as a hard-drinking riverboat captain 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 fall finally into one another's arms. Based on CS Forester's novel, 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 long-time 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 adds some extra dimension and colour. --Tom Keogh, Amazon.com
On the DVD: A trailer, a gallery of contemporary posters and stills, plus some text biographies of the principals, simply whet the appetite for the main extra feature here: an audio commentary by veteran cinematographer Jack Cardiff. The man responsible for the lush, albeit studio-bound jungle textures of Black Narcissus faced innumerable challenges lighting real Borneo jungle in the heart of the Congo for Huston's ambitious project, and here he relates all the behind-the-scenes anecdotes of disease, infestation and disaster that plagued the production. It's a real treat to hear one of the last survivors of the Golden Age filmmaking happily reminiscing about one of cinema's classic pictures, talking companionably of Huston, Bogie and Katie Hepburn and what everyone--cast and crew alike--endured to finish the picture, from lepers carrying their gear to the location, Huston fishing while directing, hornets stinging the crew, to terrible sickness brought on by drinking unfiltered lake water (except Bogie and Huston, who stuck religiously to the whisky!). The movie itself, in its original 1.33:1 ratio, looks just fine, and the sound is an unfussy digitally remastered mono. --Mark Walker
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
African Queen Blu-Ray,
By Eric H (Bolton Lancashire) - See all my reviews
This review is from: The African Queen: Special Restoration Edition [Blu-ray] [1951] (Blu-ray)
The African Queen [Blu-ray] [1951]I've read a few reviews on here commenting on different versions/prints of the African Queen, believe me the Blu-Ray version is almost perfect, one of the best transfers I have ever seen.
I would also point out it's in the original screen ratio. I find a lot of Blu-Rays no better than the ordinary DVD version but this one is in a league of its own.
15 of 16 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
stirring adventure,
This review is from: The African Queen [Special Edition] [DVD] (DVD)
John Huston once again shows what a great director he is in making this delightful picture. It really is a character piece, focusing on the two leads and there undeniable chemistry. Bogie deserved this oscar - it arguably is his greatest performance. Hepburn is equally as excellent in playing the prim and proper, slightly stuck up passenger. Once again she shows her off talent in being able to balance the comedy elements with the melodrama - a performance also worthy of an oscar. It is testament to their acting ability and the direction of Huston that you never doubt the situation they are in - they really do look like they went through emotional and physical hell. You won't find the gloss i.e. nice spanking new costumes and perfect facial complexions here.I for one became attached to the duo's journey - who can forget the episode with the leeches, the sheer disgust and fear on Bogie's face when he first realises the critters are on him, and the slow realisation he has to go back into the water to get the boat moving. Masterful acting it really is, and surprising coming from him. This is a classic and was responsible for setting the template for all subsequent romantic adventures. Its a disgrace the film did not even get nominated for the 51' best picture oscar, since is thoroughly deserved to win it (an American in Paris!??!)
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great story punctuated by a great making of film on the Blu-ray,
By
This review is from: African Queen [Blu-ray] [1952] [US Import] (Blu-ray)
Based on a novel by C.S. Forester, adapted for the screen by Director / Writer John Huston. September 1914, in Africa during WW1, everyone is escaping the Huns. An unlikely pair, drunkard Charlie Allnut (Humphrey Bogart) and the reverend's (Robert Morley) spinster sister, Rose Sayer (Katharine Hepburn) escaping down the river form a relationship that may prove fatal to the Germans pride gunboat "The Louisa" with a 6 pounder. And then again, we have to get past rapids, leaches, and a German Fort.
Usually Blu-ray only enhances the visual but cannot enhance the story or dialog. However, with this presentation the DVD extra actually enhances the movie. Watch the film again after watching the extras. I did not realize that the film was shot in Technicolor. The sound (probably due to a better T.V. seems to have improved also.
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