The African Queen is a little boat. Humphrey Bogart chugs up and down some river in Africa bringing mail and supplies to the villages. One village was established by English minister. When African soldiers arrive and burn it down conscripting the villagers, he has nervous breakdown and heart attack all at once. He dies leaving his sister all alone. Humphrey Bogart offers her a ride to safety, but she convinces him to go after the Germans. This plan requires a dangerous trip through a rapids and a swamp, but they manage it barely. They even build a torpedo, but they are captured before they can use it. The Germans are going to hang them as spies, and Humphrey Bogarts last request is for the captain of the German ship to marry them. Then, right during the ceremony, the African Queen bumps into the German ship and blows it to smithereens. Humphrey Bogart and Katherine Hepburn excape safely and live happily ever after.
The bulk of this movie is about Humphrey Bogart and Katherine Hepburn sitting in the boat together talking and trying to get along with one another and falling in love with each other. They are very different sorts. Humphrey Bogart is a drunk who only cares about himself but knows how to take care of himself. Katherine Hepburn is an idealistic missionary who cares about patriotism and loyalty, but she doens't seem to know the first thing about living in East Africa. It's a great movie with great actors who are a joy to watch.
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