The African Queen - BD Review

The BD instance of "African Queen" shows the ability of the format to show a classic better than it has ever been seen before, on a theater or in the home. The problem with certain elements is that at specific points, one questions the validity of the images. That said, "The African Queen" at the time and still today is a miracle of shooting. The matching aspects meet quite well but "Embracing Chaos: Making The African Queen" takes away alot of magic that one would have just trying to figure out how the film was made. The essence of the blue screen elements going down the rapids is quite obvious but the whole idea of what the danger actually was is what makes it such an enigma of a movie. The documentary actually addresses the point that most people don't know in terms of how much was shot in the Congo area and how much was shot on the soundstage in London. The visuals of the crocodiles and the actors actually going along the river still holds up, almost like the reverse intention of "Apocalypse Now". Going into the water is actually brought out to have been done in London but the way the leeches (or would-be parasites) stick to Bogie's skin, you would think they were real. Of course, these perceptions might have led to the film's Oscar winning prospects and requisite acclaim. The reality from what the documentary dictates is that both stars (Hepburn & Bogie) were on their way out because of age but also because of the McCarthy hearings alluding to the fact that they were seen to have more liberal penchants. What is the most interesting tidbit of all is that Lauren Bacall, who was Bogie's wife at the time, came with him on the shoot and, at times, was even making meals for the crew. That is dedication, especially in the jungle like that. When they were shooting on the delta everyone came down with sickness from the water, except for Bogie and John Huston: they were only drinking booze, a point Hepburn recounts in some interesting footage from Dick Cavett's talk show in 1973. Above and all, the transfer is pristine but since it is shot in Technicolor. However, one wonders about the actual truth of the colors since the overabundance of make-up is apparent but is a slightly more intrinsic aspect that probably didn't take into account technology in the future. Despite any of this, it is great to see this classic painstakingly restored and bare-bones with just the documentary. These transfers take a long time and many times are scanned frame by frame. Credit where credit is due. Out of 5, I give "The African Queen" a 4.