Why so much hype?

the audience applauded

At first rather annoying in its heavy emphasis on reenactments, this movie ultimately proves fascinating, simply because the complicated, highly dramatic tale it tells still almost defies belief.

This film is so real. It treats its characters with so much care and sensitivity.

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.

I forgot how much I loved this movie until i saw it again. This is Historical Fiction at its' finest. Both Hepburn and Bogart are a delight to watch; and their charm just exudes in every scene. Bogart plays one of his gruffest roles I've seen; and both characters end up contributing to each other's arch's in unexpected ways. And of course the setting is beautiful, with very few speaking roles on screen for any length of time outside of the duo. Another reviewer mentioned that lesser actors might have brought this film easily down to a glorified travel tour, and i have to agree with that. If either role had been cast with an actor whose presence came across as weak; this would at best: be a very boring movie to watch. Fortunately, that's not the case here. If you haven't seen it, it is so worth the watch! (Now i have to find out how the book and movie differ. I can't imagine what they had to leave out of the film adaptation.)

Humphrey Bogart is such a great actor and can make any film intriguing for the viewer just like he did in African Queen, as well as his partner Katherine Hepburn. These two actors are what really make the film what it is. The film starts off slow, but if you stick with it the story picks up. Bogart and Hepburn's characters play off each other well and help the plot develop. The editing and quality of the picture is not the best, but it gets the job done. Like almost every movie there is an underlying love story that comes into play and ultimately what made the film work. The humor throughout keeps the adventure interesting as well as the suspenseful scenes through the rapids.

The African Queen (1951): Dir: John Huston / Cast: Humphrey Bogart, Katherine Hepburn, Robert Morley, Peter Bull, Theodore Bikel: Stunning if not overrated adventure about overcoming extreme odds. Humphrey Bogart and Katherine Hepburn escape to the African Queen, a small cargo boat owned by the Bogart character. Setting is World War 1 with the Germans in pursuit. Some comic moments set in as when the leads struggle to adapt and tease viewers with sexual tension. Director John Huston does a superb job and is backed with effective suspense and action although the romantic elements are an ill timed formula that are unnecessarily distracting. Huston previously directed Bogart in Maltese Falcon and Key Largo. Bogart carries some sarcasm while Hepburn maintains a stern disposition especially after her brother is killed but viewers are well aware of what their journey is all about. And despite the romantic drivel the concluding union between the two is priceless. Outside the leading roles, the rest of the characters are waterlogged bores. Robert Morley plays Hepburn's brother who doesn't last very long, and Peter Bull appears in a flat supporting role. It stresses perseverance and equality of genders and a screenplay that doesn't deliver quite as effectively as its reputation boasts. It does delivers with adventure, thrills and the untimely arrival of a cargo boat. Score: 7 / 10