Review of The African Queen (1952) by Sage Ivy B — 21 Jun 2009

"Well I ain't sorry for you no more, ya crazy, psalm-singing, skinny old maid!".

Director: John Huston.

Starring: Humphrey Bogart, Katharine Hepburn, Robert Morley, Peter Bull.

Running time: 105 minutes.

Country: UK, USA.

The African Queen is another classic romantic film. African Queen is a beautiful romantic film whereas some other romantic classics suh as Casablanca are quite dark ones. African Queen is a really adventurous romantic experience that joins together with modern day romance and with beautiful sceneries it's untrue. It is a film that isn't just about love but bravery and courage as well. I wouldn't call The African Queen a masterpiece but I would call it a really fun love story that is full of excitement and entertainment in almost every aspect of the film. This film has a grand leading cast with two legendary actors.

This is the first time I have seen Humphrey Bogart in a colour film before until now. Humphrey's performance as Charlie Allnut came only 6 years before he died. Charlie is a very heroic man especially when with the German officers. Katharine Hepburn is another legendary actor who has become an actor who has made such masterful films with masterful performances. Her performance as Rose Sayer is another classic performance that will be remembered for generatins to come.

John Huston's directing gave that taste again from The Treasure Of Sierra Madre with the pure adventurous experience and tense moments but it was obviously a romantic film which makes it slightly different. It had an absolutely awesome script as well.

I don't know how Humphrey Bogart beat Marlon Brando in A Streetcar Named Desire to Best Leading Actor. Bogart's acting is still top-notch but he was better in The Treasure Of Sierra Madre, The Maltese Falcon and his best Casablanca. My favourite John Huston film is still The Treasure Of Sierra Madre. The African Queen is a really good film that deserves to be viewed by all film fans.