gea-79784 I really did enjoy this film, but the tone of the movie was very odd to me. The subject matter was very serious at times. Such as when the missionary village gets burned down or Roses brother dies. The fact that two strangers have to stick together to survive World War 2 exiled in Africa is a very scene. But the way the dialogue and other things were it kinda gave the movie the feel of almost a screwball comedy. I don't think if something like this were to really happen i think they would be too traumatized to actually fall in love. Another thing that really hurt the tone was that it was in such bright color. I don't know if they just put the brand new technology to work cause they could, but i think the bright colors did not match the tone. It looked like a bright cheery movie, but the subject matter was more dark. Because of these issues with the tone of the movie I didn't enjoy this film as much as I could have.

HotToastyRag On the brink of WWI, a missionary, Robert Morley, and his sister, Katharine Hepburn, are working in the African Congo. When Germans occupy the territory and Robert is killed, Kate has no choice but to join the scruffy, far-from-pious Humphrey Bogart on his small riverboat "The African Queen", since it's their only means of transportation. From then on, it's basically a two-person show as the two navigate through the Congo and come up with a plan to join the war effort.While the initial cast choice was Bette Davis and David Niven, the on screen couple Katharine Hepburn and Humphrey Bogart in The African Queen is indelible in audiences' minds. It's impossible to imagine anyone else in the film, even though I absolutely love The Niv and the character was originally written to have a Cockney accent. Humphrey Bogart, playing a Canadian because he couldn't do the accent, is absolutely perfect in the role! He definitely deserved his Oscar, and no one would argue that it's the best performance of his career. He's sweet, funny, big-hearted, reluctantly passionate, and completely believable in his surroundings. David Niven is many things—handsome, debonair, classy—but none of his special talents would be needed in the part. The Charlie Allnut character needs to be uncouth. He needs to seem like he's really lived on a boat in Africa for years with gin as his only companion and love far from his mind. He needs to be Humphrey Bogart.But, on to Kate. Katharine Hepburn gives one of her best and classic performances as the straight-laced, religious spinster with an unexpected fiery passion. She's absolutely delightful, showing a range of emotions that are so believable it'll be hard to see her as anyone else in the future. She's logical and smart, but also sensitive and loving. The African Queen is one of my all-time favorite love stories—and old movies—because of the sweet, tender moments the unlikely pair share. From the awkward tea party in the beginning of the film when Humph's stomach can't stop growling to their first journey down the rapids and beyond, they'll make themselves a permanent home in your heart. After they've declared their love, Kate finally asks him what his first name is—it's so adorable! Upon hearing it, she smiles like a young girl and sweetly says, "What a nice name. Charlie. Charlie!" I could continue to quote all the lovely, adorable, memorable phrases from the romance, but you should really see them for yourself. Whether you end up adding "And you call yourself a Christian!" or "Nature, Mr. Allnut, is what we are put on this earth to rise above" or "Then do so, Mr. Allnut" to your household phrases, I'm sure you'll love The African Queen just as much as I do. It's truly one-of-a-kind.

Ian (Flash Review)During WWI a grimy and boozing steamboat captain teams with a well- mannered missionary woman to aim for an unlikely goal and for her a secondary and lethal mission. This film is carried almost solo by Hepburn and Bogart who won Best Actor for his performance and Hepburn and nomination. After German troops burn down her missionary school, she forges a plan to take down a huge German warship with Bogart and his trusty steamboat which is really the third character in the film. During this mission they encounter countless obstacles which they attempt to overcome which of course forges their romance. Will the two of them be able to take down a warship with grit and determination? Great acting and a good story with a few twists and turns equals a solid film classic.

jimbo-53-186511 Africa 1914; a camp housing a group of missionaries during World War 1 is burnt down by German Troops. Two of these missionaries are Christian Missionaries Rose Sayer & Reverend Samuel Sayer (Katharine Hepburn & Robert Morley) and sadly the shock of what happens to their village is too much for Reverend Sayer and he unfortunately dies the following day. Gin-swilling riverboat captain Charlie Allnut (Humphrey Bogart) suggests that he and Rose bury her brother's body and flee the camp as soon as possible before the Germans return. Although Charlie and Rose are two very different people they attempt to put their differences aside in order to avenge Rose's brother's death....Given that the majority of the film is spent with only 2 people sharing the screen it is fairly obvious that Director John Huston was reliant on the star power of Bogart and Hepburn to carry this film and ultimately win audiences over. Hats off to Huston because it seems that he has achieved this objective as this film is loved by a good deal of people, but for me it was a bit hit-and-miss...If we start with Bogart and Hepburn; yes I'm prepared to accept that they were both good together on-screen and yes they generally share good chemistry together, but are these things alone enough to make the film great?? I beg to differ I'm afraid. One thing I found disappointing is that Huston doesn't make this feel like much of an adventure film. Most of the time revolves around Bogart and Hepburn and their blossoming relationship, but this is all Huston really focuses on and although it is fun and interesting in fits and starts when the plot only focuses on one think it does make the film feel a bit monotonous at times. The picture is stronger in the second half when Rose and Charlie start working as a team to overcome problems that they encounter on their journey - these aspects make the film feel more focused and enjoyable and give the film its much needed sense of adventure. If we go back to Rose and Charlie's relationship, I kind of felt that there was a bit of an Odd Couple vibe between Charlie and Rose, but if I'm honest I felt that the switch between them hating each other and liking each other was a bit jarring and sudden and felt a little unnatural. The final part of the film where Charlie and Rose are effectively getting their revenge felt rushed and it would have been better if the planning of their attack would have featured more heavily rather than being merely tagged on at the end.The African Queen is notably the film where Bogart won his best actor award and whilst I'm pleased that he received it I can't honestly see how this performance really stands out from anything else I've seen him in - he was good but Oscar worthy??? Hepburn is an equal match for Bogart and their chemistry and camaraderie does make up slightly for the thin and rather uneven plotting.The African Queen is an OK film but when all is said and done I can't really see why everyone is so in love with it?? It's a thinly plotted film with too much romance and not enough adventure and for me is another disappointingly over-hyped 'classic film.'