Jungle Cruise, the latest adventure movie starring Dwayne Johnson and Emily Blunt, has been making headlines since its release. The movie is set in the early 20th century and follows a riverboat captain named Frank Wolff (played by Dwayne Johnson) and a scientist named Dr. Lily Houghton (played by Emily Blunt) as they embark on a dangerous journey through the Amazon jungle in search of a mystical tree with healing powers.
But some fans have been wondering if Jungle Cruise is based on another classic adventure movie, The African Queen. Let’s take a closer look at the similarities and differences between these two movies.
What is The African Queen?
The African Queen is a 1951 adventure movie directed by John Huston and starring Humphrey Bogart and Katharine Hepburn. The movie is set in German East Africa during World War I and follows the unlikely partnership between Charlie Allnut (played by Bogart), a rough-around-the-edges steamboat captain, and Rose Sayer (played by Hepburn), a prim and proper missionary.
Together, they embark on an epic journey down an African river on board the titular boat, which they plan to use to sabotage a German warship that patrols the local waters.
How is Jungle Cruise similar to The African Queen?
Both Jungle Cruise and The African Queen are adventure movies set in exotic locations that involve perilous journeys on small boats through dangerous waters. Both movies also feature unlikely partnerships between two very different characters who must learn to work together to survive.
In both movies, the boats are central to the plot and are almost characters in their own right. The African Queen features a rickety old steamboat that has seen better days but still manages to get the job done. Similarly, Jungle Cruise features a ramshackle riverboat that looks like it’s about to fall apart at any moment but somehow manages to navigate the treacherous rapids and waterfalls of the Amazon jungle.
How is Jungle Cruise different from The African Queen?
While there are certainly similarities between the two movies, there are also some key differences. For one thing, The African Queen is set during World War I and has a more serious tone than Jungle Cruise, which is a lighthearted adventure romp.
Additionally, while both movies feature riverboats as the primary mode of transportation, they are very different boats. The African Queen’s steamboat is a relic of a bygone era and is powered by a noisy engine that belches smoke and steam.
Jungle Cruise’s boat, on the other hand, is powered by a clever combination of diesel fuel and puns (yes, puns! ).
Finally, while both movies feature strong female characters in important roles (Rose Sayer in The African Queen and Dr. Lily Houghton in Jungle Cruise), their roles are very different. Rose is a missionary who initially resists Charlie’s advances but eventually falls for him. Dr. Lily Houghton, on the other hand, is a scientist who knows what she wants and isn’t afraid to go after it.
The verdict
So, is Jungle Cruise based on The African Queen? While there are certainly similarities between the two movies (small boats navigating dangerous waters with unlikely partners), there are also enough differences to suggest that Jungle Cruise is not simply a remake or reimagining of The African Queen.
Jungle Cruise takes inspiration from many classic adventure movies (including Indiana Jones and Romancing the Stone), but it also adds its own unique spin to the genre. With its charismatic leads (Johnson and Blunt), stunning visuals, and non-stop action, Jungle Cruise is definitely worth watching whether you’re a fan of classic adventure movies or not.