Review of The African Queen (1952) by Jacob D — 08 Jul 2010

Simplicity is the key to sucess. Everyone knows the old adage about simplicity. And director John Huston obviously knew it too, when he helmed this classic gem. The statement is made in the bonus "making of" featurette of the dvd that few people would want to see a movie about a boat that travels along an African river. But the surprise is that as simple as the plot is, it works. What's more, the nearly hour-long "making of" featurette is one of thoses rare gems that makes the overall experience that much better.

So many modern romance movies tend to copy one another today. The stories' writers use the same plot, and alter it like a piece of clothing that has shown the wear and tear of the constant changes. 'The African Queen', however, is a prime example of a movie that gets it right. Despite the romance, even male audiences can watch the movie without fear of what others may think. The chemistry between stars Humphrey Bogart and Katherine Hepburn shines through from open to end. Those who have the dvd can appreciate that chemistry even more thanks to the added "making of" featurette. It discusses, among other things, the off screen chemistry between the duo.

Along with the chemistry between Bogart and Hepburn, the use of technicolor adds another level of enjoyment. If not for the use of technicolor, audiences at the time, perhaps couldn't see the full impact of the on-site filming, and the expressions of Charlie and Rose. Yet again, this is discussed in the "making of" featurette. And yet again, that discussion adds a whole exra dimension to the story, and the overall viewing experience.

'The African Queen' is a movie that stands out among even the best of classic movies. So much went into crafting this big screen adaptation, yet the end product came across as being simply done. In comparison modern movies do so little, and end up with a story that is anything but enjoyable. Perhaps studios should take it as an example of everything done right. Until or unless that time comes, 'The African Queen' will continue to stand unopposed by few, if any other films in its genre.