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Key Largo

Play trailer Poster for Key Largo 1948 1h 41m Crime Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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97% Tomatometer 36 Reviews 88% Popcornmeter 10,000+ Ratings
This classic film noir by John Huston stars Humphrey Bogart as World War II vet Frank McCloud. Visiting Key Largo to pay his respects to the family of his late war buddy, McCloud attempts to comfort his comrade's widow, Nora (Lauren Bacall), and father, James Temple (Lionel Barrymore), who operate a hotel. But McCloud realizes that mobsters, led by the infamous Johnny Rocco (Edward G. Robinson), are staying in the hotel. When the criminals take over the establishment, conflict is inevitable.
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Key Largo

Key Largo

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Critics Consensus

Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall are at the mercy of Edward G. Robinson's menacing gangster -- and so is the audience in this enthralling chamber piece.

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Critics Reviews

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Dave Kehr Chicago Reader 04/08/2008
A little windy and rhetorical for my taste, but still one of John Huston's best efforts. Go to Full Review
Ian Nathan Empire Magazine 04/08/2008
4/5
Perfeclty tense atmosphere and performances, with the sparks flying between Bogart and Bacall. Go to Full Review
Variety Staff Variety 04/08/2008
Emphasis is on tension in the telling, and effective use of melodramatic mood has been used to point up the suspense. Go to Full Review
Danielle Solzman Solzy at the Movies 02/11/2024
4.5/5
Key Largo manages to keep audiences on their toes or at the edge of their seat from start to finish. Go to Full Review
Keith Garlington Keith & the Movies 08/22/2022
4.5/5
Loosely based on Maxwell Anderson’s 1939 play, “Key Largo” took the form of a brilliant crime drama anchored by a great cast and superb performances. Go to Full Review
Mike Massie Gone With The Twins 08/13/2020
9/10
The real stars of the film are mind games and manipulation, sharply brought to life by the restrained verbal feuding between Bogart and Robinson. Go to Full Review
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Audience Reviews

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Leaburn O 2d A little bit too far fetched and overwrought for my liking. Acting is hammy and unbelievable. The plot is ok and it is fast moving enough to get through but I’m not onboard with its classic status. Watched on DVD. See more TheMovieSearch R @TheMovieSearch 3d Key Largo stands as a defining black-and-white classic that showcases Humphrey Bogart at the height of his screen presence, delivering a film that once represented a pivotal moment in cinematic history. The direction is confident and deliberate, creating tension through atmosphere, dialogue, and character interaction rather than spectacle. Each character feels purposeful, and their individual arcs gradually collide in ways that keep the story engaging and emotionally charged. The screenplay is strong for its time, allowing the audience to feel immersed in the setting and invested in the moral conflicts unfolding on screen. There is a craftsmanship here that reflects an era when cinema relied on performance and storytelling rather than constant stimulation. That said, Key Largo may struggle to resonate with younger audiences, feeling distant or slow due to changing viewing habits. While its legacy remains intact, its impact rests more on historical appreciation than mainstream appeal. See more Alain E @AlainE Dec 8 I would say that the story, compared to more contemporary gangster/noir movies like the Goodfellas, Chinatown or Cape Fear, is kind of lame. Robinson looks more cartoonish than a really dangerous criminal. On the other hand the visual presence of Bogart and Bacall is iconic. Worth of watching. See more Dan F @DanFrazier 09/29/2024 One of my thoughts was that they don't make movies like they used to, and that's a good thing. I found this movie, like a lot of old movies, not especially engaging, and maybe a little too complicated in its story. The romance between Bogart and Bacall is barely developed. If everything you know about this movie comes from the hit song, you are likely to be disappointed. It's really not a romance. More of a thriller, but maybe not a very good one. Still, Bacall is lovely, and Bogart is Bogart, plus there is a hurricane, so maybe it is worth watching. See more Josh D 05/28/2024 Robinson is Great, Bacall is Great, & Bogart is Excellent! Top 5 of Bogies career See more John S 03/02/2024 A very mature film for it's time. The characters are mindful and largely rational. It's odd to see a b&w film with intelligent leads without instant, undying love stories appearing out of thin air or bounty of ridiculous notions you need to excuse as included as a product of its time. Note that I'm not saying there's no chemistry and promise for love. And there's some (well-intentioned?) indigenous stereotypes. (Lacking perfect execution and consisting of false representation). It's entertaining AF though. Easily one of my favourite movies of the 40's era. I enjoyed it so much upon my very first watch I ordered the Blu-ray. See more Read all reviews
Key Largo

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Movie Info

Synopsis This classic film noir by John Huston stars Humphrey Bogart as World War II vet Frank McCloud. Visiting Key Largo to pay his respects to the family of his late war buddy, McCloud attempts to comfort his comrade's widow, Nora (Lauren Bacall), and father, James Temple (Lionel Barrymore), who operate a hotel. But McCloud realizes that mobsters, led by the infamous Johnny Rocco (Edward G. Robinson), are staying in the hotel. When the criminals take over the establishment, conflict is inevitable.
Director
John Huston
Producer
Jerry Wald
Screenwriter
Maxwell Anderson, Richard Brooks, John Huston
Distributor
Key Video, Warner Home Vídeo, MGM/UA Home Entertainment Inc., Warner Bros.
Production Co
Warner Brothers
Genre
Crime, Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Jul 16, 1948, Original
Release Date (Streaming)
Mar 3, 2016
Runtime
1h 41m
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