At the start of World War I, German imperial troops burn down a mission in Africa. The mission's reverend was so overtaken with disappointment that he passes away. Shortly after his well-educated, snooty sister Rose buries her brother, she must leave on the only available transport, the 'African Queen' steamboat. The boat is manned by the ill-mannered bachelor, Charlie. Together they embark on a long difficult journey, without any comfort. Rose grows determined to assist in the British war effort and presses Charlie until he finally agrees and together they steam up the Ulana encountering an enemy fort, raging rapids, bloodthirsty parasites and an endlessly branching stream which always seems to lead them to what appear to be impenetrable swamps. Despite their opposing personalities, the two grow closer to each other and ultimately carry out their plan to take out a German warship.
MPAA: Not rated.|||adult
Horizon Pictures presents a Horizon-Romulus production ; produced by Sam Spiegel ; adapted for the screen by James Agee & John Huston ; directed by John Huston ; distributed by Madison Reports and Releasing Corp.
Originally released as a motion picture in 1951.
Based on the novel by C.S. Forester.
Special features: "Embracing chaos: making the African Queen" featurette.
Humphrey Bogart, Katharine Hepburn, Robert Morley, Theodore Bikel, Peter Bull, Walter Gotell, Peter Swanwick, Richard Marner.
Director of photography, Jack Cardiff ; art director, Wilfred Shingleton ; music composed by Allan Gray ; played by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra ; conducted by Norm Del Mar ; editor, Ralph Kemplen ; Miss Hepburn's costumes designed by Doris Langley Moore ; other clothes by Connie De Pinna.
DVD, region 1, full screen (1.33:1) presentation; Dolby Digital.
Closed-captioned. Languages: English (mono), French (mono), Spanish (mono) ; subtitles: English, French or Spanish.
Academy Award for Best Actor (Bogart).
Named to the National Film Registry in 1994 by the Library of Congress.
