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The African Queen (1951) – Blu Ray Review 4K Remaster.


Part of Studio Canal’s Vintage Classics range is the Humphrey Bogart film The African Queen, co-starring Katharine Hepburn and directed by John Huston, which had a brand new 4K remaster.

Bogart plays Charlie Allnut the gin-swigging captain of a small steamer boat called The African Queen. He regularly visits the East African village where a prim British missionary (Robert Morley) and his sister Rose Sayer make a living preaching the bible to the natives.

But as World War is looming the Germans invade the village and burn it down. Rose is left alone after her brother dies and is rescued by Mr Allnut and the two must go downriver together and try to avoid the Germans and get to safety.

She can’t tolerate his drinking or awful manners and he isn’t crazy about her judgmental attitude. However, it does not take long before their passionate dislike turns to love. They both then not only try and find civilisation but plan to destroy a German gunboat.

The film that won Bogart his Oscar for best actor, is a movie with a great script as well as stand-out performances from both leads. The direction and cinematography are first class and the new 4K remaster really shows the detail of the African jungle where much of the film was shot in harsh conditions on location.

As mentioned this new 4K remaster shines with great colours and a solid transfer. Audio is clear and crisp and the package gives you a fantastic set of extra features.

First a new Audio Commentary with Script Supervisor Angela Allen and Ian Christie • Audio commentary by cinematographer Jack Cardiff • Sir John Woolf on the Making of The African Queen • Embracing Chaos: Making The African Queen, a fabulous comprehensive documentary about the making of the film (60mins) • A video interview with co-screenwriter Peter Viertel• 2010 NFT Q&A with Anjelica Huston and script supervisor Angela Allen • 1981 NFT / Guardian interview with John Huston• Video interview with critic Kim Newman • Video interview with historian Neil Sinyard • Lux Radio Theatre adaptation from1952 with Humphrey Bogart and Greer Garson • Behind the Scenes Stills Gallery • Original theatrical trailer

A true classic and a great release with a fantastic new transfer and plentiful extras.

FILM – 7.5 PICTURE – 9 AUDIO -8 EXTRAS -10

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