In WWI East Africa, a gin-swilling Canadian riverboat captain is persuaded by a strait-laced English missionary to undertake a trip up a treacherous river and use his boat to attack a German... Read allIn WWI East Africa, a gin-swilling Canadian riverboat captain is persuaded by a strait-laced English missionary to undertake a trip up a treacherous river and use his boat to attack a German gunship.In WWI East Africa, a gin-swilling Canadian riverboat captain is persuaded by a strait-laced English missionary to undertake a trip up a treacherous river and use his boat to attack a German gunship.
- Won 1 Oscar
- 7 wins & 9 nominations total
Harry Arbour
- German Sergeant Major at Kungdu
- (uncredited)
Errol John
- Undetermined Role
- (uncredited)
Joseph Layode
- African Sergeant
- (uncredited)
Gerald Onn
- Petty Officer
- (uncredited)
John von Kotze
- German Officer
- (uncredited)
Featured reviews
The acting by Bogart is brilliant and Katharine Hepburn is as good.It´s exciting and VERY funny.It also have a great direction by John Huston and even if a few of the action scenes feels old and maybe some of the special effects is not fantastic Humphrey Bogart really deserved his Oscar but Katharine Hepburn is as good.The dialogue between them is wonderful.4,5/5
An amazing romance-adventure classic highlighted by the brilliant performances of Bogart and Hepburn. Oscar winner Bogart's Charlie is a broken man who finds true hope and happiness in Hepburn's Rose. Rose finds love and meaning from Charlie. It's adorable to see them call each other "Missus" and "Mr. Almont" even when we know that they love each other. Even when they have their "first quarrel" near the end of the picture, we know that their lives have changed forever as a result of the other person. It's a film about true love. This is also a very funny film, which was a shock to director Huston. Bogart's stomach growling scene early on in the film is a hoot. More humor commences as both stars play off of each other wonderfully. The scenary is beautiful. No film has captured the essence and importance of nature better than this classic. This is the film that sparked other romance adventures such as "Romancing the Stone" and "Six Days and Seven Nights." Before you view those newer installments, you better check out the one and true original classic.
Charlie Allnut is the Captain of The Queen, quite dishevelled and bedraggled but he ain't mean, keeps two missionaries informed, of how the world has been transformed, it's not too long before just one will leave the scene. As they escape along the river plans are hatched, to send torpedoes to a gunboat and dispatch, on their journey gin is taken, buckled shafts are warmed then straightened, it's not long before they make the perfect match. A short sojourn into the reeds causes distraction, but not long after heavy rain causes abstraction, as the enemy is spotted, the pair remain fully besotted, just goes to show that opposites, create attraction.
Great performances, great dialogue, great film.
Great performances, great dialogue, great film.
To me this film will always be the validation of Humphrey Bogart's long and distinguished career. His portrayal of the hard drinking Charlie was what made this film what it was. Also, he showed just how great an actor he was when he was able to match up against the woman who is generally considered to be the greatest actress in film history, Katherine Hepburn. Also, this film will always be recognized for having the perfect mix of action, romance and comedy and it will always be a classic.
A real gem of film-making! Bogart and Hepburn shine in this two-actors-adventure-movie and even without the breathtaking visual effects of todays' films, it outshines them in its simplicity and authenticity.
The plot is very good and straight and the situation where the two characters (polar opposites) interact is an eye candy for all film goers. Bogard's Oscar as well-deserved and Hepburn could won her fifth with that powerful performance. I consider the film a pioneer in war/jungle movies making and the fact that the "commandos" are so different (a Sunday school teacher and a drunk) makes it all the better.
If you have not seen it run and get it. You won't regret it.
The plot is very good and straight and the situation where the two characters (polar opposites) interact is an eye candy for all film goers. Bogard's Oscar as well-deserved and Hepburn could won her fifth with that powerful performance. I consider the film a pioneer in war/jungle movies making and the fact that the "commandos" are so different (a Sunday school teacher and a drunk) makes it all the better.
If you have not seen it run and get it. You won't regret it.
Did you know
- TriviaSources claimed that everyone in the cast and crew got sick except Humphrey Bogart and John Huston, who said they avoided illness by essentially living on imported Scotch whiskey. Bogart later said, "All I ate was baked beans, canned asparagus and Scotch whiskey. Whenever a fly bit Huston or me, it dropped dead."
- GoofsThe propeller on the boat is made of bronze (stainless steel hadn't been invented yet). Bronze cannot be easily welded, even with the proper equipment, but he welds a new blade to the propeller. (In the book, Allnut makes a replacement blade out of iron, and rivets it to the bronze propeller.)
- Quotes
Captain of Louisa: By the authority vested in me by Kaiser William the Second I pronounce you man and wife. Proceed with the execution.
- Crazy creditsOpening credits prologue: GERMAN EAST AFRICA September 1914
- ConnectionsEdited into Catalogue of Ships (2008)
- SoundtracksGod of Grace and God of Glory (Cwm Rhondda)
(uncredited)
Words by Harry Fosdick
Music by John Ceiriog Hughes
Details
Box office
- Budget
- $1,000,000 (estimated)
- Gross worldwide
- $46,305
- Runtime
- 1h 45m(105 min)
- Aspect ratio
- 1.37 : 1
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