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Master Rank #520

The African Queen

1951

GCML Total8.3440% Greatness · 40% Engagement · 20% Ease

Directed by John Huston

CastHumphrey Bogart · Katharine Hepburn

UK / USAEnglishAdventure / War105 minNot Rated
AFI 100Narrative FeatureBrisk pace
Find Where to Watch
Original poster artwork · Great Cinema Master List
Oscar · 1

Spoiler-free premise

Missionary Rose Sayer persuades rough steamer captain Charlie Allnut to attack a German gunboat during World War I in East Africa.

Read expanded premiseLonger, still spoiler-free

After German troops destroy her mission in East Africa, Methodist Rose Sayer leaves with Canadian boat captain Charlie Allnut aboard the aging African Queen. Rose proposes converting the steamer into a torpedo boat to strike the German vessel Königin Luise.

Why it belongs

John Huston makes adventure depend on mismatched star chemistry, real river hardship, mechanical improvisation, and Hepburn's indomitable Rose.

Read expanded why it belongsThe fuller editorial case

River current, leeches, mud, engine repairs, rapids, gin, rain, and location photography give the mission comic physical resistance—Katharine Hepburn's resolve and Humphrey Bogart's wary pragmatism become genuine partnership.

Major award record

Metadata only · zero points in 40/40/20
Academy Awards1 win1952 · official ceremony record ↗
Actor1952 · Humphrey Bogartofficial ceremony record ↗

Totals include every recorded competitive win. Only Picture or top-film honors, Direction, Screenplay, and lead or supporting performances are named.

Good for
Film Club
Descriptive guidance derived from rating, genre, runtime, mood, and GCML scores.

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