'There's death a dozen times over down the river'
The African Queen 8.2
In German east Africa, 1914, a tribal congregation are led in singing Bread of Heaven by Katherine Hepburn on an organ. They clearly aren't following the words, let alone the meaning so straight away we are dropped into a culture clash situation - which is a theme of the film to come. Humphrey Bogart arrives outside on a steam boat, relaxing with a drink and a cigar. He is too much for the congregation to resist, most of them leave the makeshift church and head for him where he hands out cigars. He brings word of the approaching war between Germany and England, and most of the rest of Europe, this is a problem as we are in German territory, German soldiers take the tribe and burn the settlement, driving. Bogart turns back up and offers Hepburn safe passage out of the warzone, she really doesn't have much choice since she can't sit in the wasteland and wait for the war to pass. They head off together, find a secluded spot on the river aboard the African Queen steamboat, and settle down to hatch a plan of action. Bogart knows the area and the way of this world, which makes him cautious, Hepburn is the smarter and more conscientious but can't survive in the wild on her own. Between them they decide to brave a river of rapids to reach a huge, armed German steamer and use a makeshift torpedo to blow it up, thus helping the war effort. This is the main plot which drives the story along, but the film is delivered as much through the character dynamics as anything else.
The structure is not complicated. The introduction ensures that the two are set up as an odd couple - he is relaxed and fun loving, she is up-tight, prim and proper. The film is essentially a two-hander so the relationship between the two is crucial to establish at the start and develop. Bogart is unshaven, unkempt, tired looking and wearing dirty clothes. He talks about having all the supplies they need to last for months, '2000 cigarettes, 2 cases of gin'. A self professed Jack of all trades Master of none. Hepburn is made up, perfectly presented in all her finery and wearing that forced smile the high classes perfect at their finishing schools, 'Nature Mr Ulner is what we are put in this world to rise above'. His origin or goal is not really discussed, he comes across as something of a drifter, chancing on interesting things on his way. She is in Africa supporting her preacher brother, undoubtedly on a crusade to spread the righteous word of Christianity to all corners of the empire. The two make a charming couple, it takes a while for them to warm to eachother, but of course they inevitably do, especially after everything they go through. This type of story has been done so many times of course but this one in particular reminded me a bit of a high point of the genre, It Happened One Night, high praise indeed.
I liked how they were both almost always polite and seamed pleased to be in eachother's company, even though they weren't particularly suited for eachother and they certainly got in eachother's way. Only after a drink did things get more honest and Bogart speaks his mind. Hepburn sees he is in a bad way when drunk, so when he is passed out, takes the liberty of pouring his precious gin overboard. Perhaps she sees this voyage as an opportunity for a social experiment, but either way she does care for him. The jubilation of surviving an attack helps develop the relationship further and brings them together in each other's arms, they start to become a good team, and more like eachother as the film goes on.
Most of the film takes place in the jungle, on the river etc, filmed on location in Uganda and The Congo. There are some very pleasant shots of the settings and wildlife along the way to help place the audience right there with them. The minor bits like this are very pleasing and although seem unimportant, help us to relax into the story. There are scenes where they go down rapids which did remind me of the wonderful (but very different) Fitzcarraldo. Importantly the wide shots of this were clearly happening for real, (a shame there were clearly body doubles used) and some looked like models being sent down. It is so much more satisfying to watch actual action filmed than clever effects. And the action brings them even closer as the closeted Hepburn gets a buzz off the danger, something Bogart is used to, bringing their worlds together. At this point, it is fairly obvious how their relationship will end up, but the joy is in the journey, not in the surprise, so nothing is lost.
The action is broken up with some nice dialogue scenes where they learn about eachother and their respective lives. It sometimes seems like they're almost speaking different languages to start with. There is a really nice moment when they think they are both done for, the boat is stuck in very thick mud and reeds. They have rowed, pushed and pulled, but it grinds to a halt. As they have a rest the camera rises to show they are so close to the lake they are aiming for, then mercifully, in a lovely touch, the rain comes and the rising water mercifully frees them.
I won't reveal the final events of the story, but alot happens in the last 15 mins which leads to a very fitting end. This is an adventure film, and one of real personality. From the tempramental steam engine (Bogart needs to keep kicking it to keep it going) to the animal impressions to keep the lady entertained. On that point actually, perhaps unsurprisingly, the gender politics shown by the couple are very dated by today's standards, as is the case with many films of the era, but it doesn't retract from the charm.
I suppose the story of a modest boat going up against warship boils down to Great British mettle, adaptability and patriotic plucky Britishness. This sounds like it could be a bit of a grating premise, but it isn't overbearing, which comes down to the tone. The tone of the film requires the right kind of performances, which are easy to underestimate - not to mention there are only really 2 characters making it even more of a delicate balancing act. To have the comedy amongside the jeapordy is an easy thing to get wrong, and could be cringey in the wrong hands, but Bogart and Hepburn each realise the characters superbly. As well as the cast full of pedigree and audience draws, Huston's directing helps. It not reach the artistic depths of The Maltese Falcon or Treasure of the Sierra Madre, but the chirpy music and polite, playful dialogue keeps things light hearted and makes for a pleasant experience. This makes it a very watchable and rewatchable, if ever so slightly lightweight film, it has a kind of lovely, infectious energy.
Comments