The African Queen
The greatest adventure a man ever lived… with a woman!
1952 • 105 min • Romance · Adventure · Drama
Synopsis
At the start of the First World War, in the middle of Africa’s nowhere, a gin soaked riverboat captain is persuaded by a strong-willed missionary to go down river and face-off a German warship.
Our family guide
Best from age 9- 100 Reviewers · 3 · 53%
- 73 Audience · 1083 · 47%
At the start of WWI, a gruff boat captain and a prim missionary embark on a perilous river journey in Africa, aiming to confront a German warship. Their challenging adventure tests their wills and sparks an unexpected connection.
- Violence & peril
- 3/10
- Language
- 1/10
- Drinking, drugs & smoking
- 4/10
- Romance & sensuality
- 2/10
- Scary moments
- 4/10
Heads up
- Discussions of war and conflict
- Some drinking and cigar smoking
- Perilous situations in the jungle and river
What it models well
- Courage in adversity
- Unlikely partnerships
- Perseverance
- Faith and conviction
Talk about it after
- How different personalities can find common ground
- The challenges of adapting to new situations
- The historical context of WWI in Africa
Written by the Movie Knight editorial team for The African Queen. Our own words, our own scoring — always double-check against your family's standards.
Where to watch
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Top billed cast
Director: John Huston • Crew: James Agee, John Huston
Trailers & clips
Official 4K Trailer
Original Trailer
Masters of Cinema Trailer
Wedding
Hip Hip Hooray
Ain't Worried
Josh Olson on THE AFRICAN QUEEN
Trailer
Reviewer notes
Recommended**A film too American in an Africa still dominated by Europeans.** The film is set in colonial Africa during the First World War, near the Lake Tanganyika area, where the borders of the colonies of Rhodesia (British), Belgian Congo and Tanganyika (German) were formed. It all begins with the German attack on a native Rhodesian village where Protestant missionaries were based.…
RecommendedTrusted family reviewersSaw this at the BFI in London recently and it looks superb on a big screen. Essentially a two-hander with screen legends Humphrey Bogart and Katharine Hepburn who have to escape the approaching WWI German East African forces by sailing down a river on a boat held together by chewing gum and a lot of good luck!…
RecommendedTrusted family reviewersGiants of the silver screen delivering one giant of a movie. WW1, East Africa, after her brother is killed by invading German troops, Rose Sayer is reliant on gruff steamboat captain, Charlie Allnut, to ferry her safely out of harms way and back to civilisation. Trouble is is that they are poles apart in ideals and ways, she is a devoted missionary, he a hard drinking tough nut with a glint in his eye.…
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Details
- TMDB audience
- 7.3/10 (1,083)
- Age rating
- PG
- Status
- Released
- Budget
- $1,000,000
- Box office
- $10,750,000
- IMDb
- tt0043265
