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Let's be honest these early Hitchcock films of the 20's and 30's can be difficult to watch. The sound and picture are of poor quality, but the work is the best that the master of suspense ever produced. In my opinion Hitchcock should only be watched in black and white. Of course, there are exceptions such as "To Catch a Thief" and "North by Northwest", but for the most part, the early films are the essential films. In this film noir, a couple's child is abducted in St. Moritz and the two spend the film trying to recover her. The film is clever and chilling in parts. I found the film so intriguing that I took a trip to St. Moritz this past summer. As I rolled through the various tunnels throughout the Alps, I thought about how that very track was where many of Hitchcock's inspirations originated. This is a great film and a classic in the film noir genre.

Are you kidding me? This movie is at best a 6 on a good day. The mere fact that this movie continually shows up on AFI's Top Ten list tells me that action and brutality are preferred by Americans over plot and acting. It is a decent film but nothing more. There is no way it is in the same league as "Gone with the Wind", "Casablanca", or "Lawrence of Arabia". It angers me every time this movie gets voted # 2 on some movie list. Al Pacino and Brando are good, but it was not the best work that either of these actors produced. It is an entertaining film like "Indiana Jones" and "National Treasure" but it is not a classic. It is important to remember that just because a film is popular does not mean that it is a great movie. If you enjoy mob movies this one is probably the best of a bad lot in the modern era, but the older films with Bogart, Cagney, and Robinson put this film to shame. I will be delighted when people one day realize the true worth of this film.

Brilliant! Absolutely Brilliant! If one can overlook the lack of chemistry between Bogart and Hepburn, then it is a true classic. Naturally, the special effects are lackluster, but this simple jungle adventure is one of my all time favorites. There is nothing like seeing Bogart, normally a debonair night club owner or film noir detective, taking on the role dirty, alcoholic boats man in Africa. There is adventure at every turn in the river, but the constant action does not take away from a great plot and great acting. The scenery is great due to the film being shot on location in Africa. Despite the lack of chemistry on screen, the movie showcases two of Hollywood's finest in the lead roles. The blend of acting, plot, and suspense epitomizes what made movies better then than they are today. "The African Queen" is a truly unique film the likes of which will not be seen again. The simplicity of the story would be overshadowed by special effects and digital imaging if made today. This is the perfect blend of a drama with an action adventure.