THE AFRICAN QUEEN (1951)

Directed by: John Huston
Written by: James Agee, John Huston
Studio: 20th Century Fox
Starring: Humphrey Bogart, Katherine Hepburn, Robert Morley
Rated: Not Rated

About the film:
A gruff, hard-drinking riverboat captain and a spinster missionary team up in East Africa and decide to track and destroy a German warship during WWI. Despite their vast differences, they somehow manage to fall in love during their arduous journey.

Movie Quote:
"Nature, Mr. Allnut, is what we are put in this world to rise above."
Rose Sayer (Katherine Hepburn) in The African Queen (1951)

Bible Quote:
"God blessed them and said to them, "Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air and over every living creature that moves on the ground."
Genesis 1:28 (NIV)

Commentary:

Rose's comment to Mr. Allnut may have been delivered with a bit of haughtiness, but it is nevertheless accurate. All of God's creation exists for man. God created many different creatures but it was to man that He gave the dominion over all. Man might not be as strong as an elephant, nor as fast as a cheetah... he can't soar like an eagle nor burrow like a mole... but he has something that no other animal has - a spiritual connection with His Creator.

The earth was created so man would have a place to live. Animal and plant life were created so that man could sustain himself on this planet. All the stars and other celestial bodies were created not only to give proper balance to our universe but also to tell man the story of God's redemptive plan for the people on earth. All we know and see around us was created for us -- and for one simple reason: God wanted to have a family.

Those who believe that it is our responsibility to be "at one with nature" are missing the point. There is nothing inherent in nature worthy of our worship. We should instead be striving to be "at one" with the God who created nature and gave us the ability to rise above it.

Questions to consider while watching the film:

1. How did Allnut and Rose defeat the odds and achieve victory?

2. What does God's Word say about overlooking the differences that divide us in order to find the commonality that unites? How does that apply to this film?