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The African Queen
1952 105 min United Kingdom, United States of America PG 0+
★8.4
Romance, Adventure, Drama
Director: John Huston
📖 Based on the novel
«The African Queen»
byC. S. Forester
Trailers
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Description
At the start of the First World War, in the middle of Africa’s nowhere, a gin soaked riverboat captain is persuaded by a strong-willed missionary to go down river and face-off a German warship.
Budget:
$1M
Worldwide:
$10.75M
Starring
Humphrey Bogart
Actor
Katharine Hepburn
Actor
Robert Morley
Actor
Awards
Academy Awards 1952
— Best Actor
Academy Awards 1952
— Best Actress
BAFTA 1953
— Best International Actor
Academy Awards 1952
— Best Director
BAFTA 1953
— Best Picture
Academy Awards 1952
— Best Adapted Screenplay
Key opinion
The African Queen is widely regarded as a classic adventure-drama defined by the stellar, Oscar-caliber chemistry between Humphrey Bogart and Katharine Hepburn. John Huston’s commitment to on-location filming adds a layer of authentic, gritty realism that elevates the film beyond a standard studio romance.
| Acting | Bogart and Hepburn deliver career-defining performances that rely on their naturalistic, evolving chemistry to anchor the narrative. | |
| Cinematography | Jack Cardiff’s vivid, expert cinematography captures the challenging African landscapes, successfully enhancing the scope and immersion of the river journey. | |
| Direction | John Huston’s decision to shoot on location provides a tangible, visceral quality to the production that creates a lasting sense of atmosphere. | |
| Screenplay | The narrative strikes a unique, satisfying balance between light-hearted adventure and grounded romantic drama, avoiding generic clichés. | |
| Screenplay | While many praise the straightforward, engaging adventure, some viewers find the core premise regarding the war effort and the protagonists' mission to be logically thin or historically jingoistic. |