The African Queen (1951)

☆ ☆ ☆ ☆

The African Queen (1951) – J. Huston

John Huston’s film is a classic Technicolor adventure yarn that keeps its focus on the burgeoning romance between two mismatched misfits played by Humphrey Bogart (early 50s) and Katharine Hepburn (early 40s) and leaves more serious questions behind.  As they escape the WWI-era Germans down the Ubangi river in Bogie’s ramshackle (and titular) boat, they need to work together to overcome many challenges (an enemy fort on the shore, a series of rapids, a broken propeller, an endless shallow and muddy river of reeds).  Bogie is rather rough and loves his gin whereas Kate is prim, religious, and a bit of a prude.  But as they fall in love, they compromise – this is a gentle older person’s companionate love.  And they cook up a plan to blow up a big German warship patrolling an African river.  It’s fun and the music (by Allan Gray) is jaunty and almost comical at times.  Of course, Huston notoriously shot this on location and engaged in big game hunting and lots of drinking during their stay in Africa.   Lauren Bacall (who doesn’t appear in the film) was along to look after Bogie who apparently hated the shoot but won an Oscar.  To my mind, The African Queen is lighter fare, potentially even for kids (who are old enough to understand war); I would have preferred things to be a bit edgier but there is no doubt that the film belongs in the canon just for the unique pairing of the stars alone.