Key Largo

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Key Largo

Released Jul 16, 1948

1h 41m

Crime

Drama

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Popcornmeter

97%

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36 Reviews

88%

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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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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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Dave Kehr

Chicago Reader

A little windy and rhetorical for my taste, but still one of John Huston's best efforts.

Apr 8, 2008

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Ian Nathan

Empire Magazine

Perfeclty tense atmosphere and performances, with the sparks flying between Bogart and Bacall.

Rated: 4/5

Apr 8, 2008

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Variety Staff

Variety

Emphasis is on tension in the telling, and effective use of melodramatic mood has been used to point up the suspense.

Apr 8, 2008

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Danielle Solzman

Solzy at the Movies

Key Largo manages to keep audiences on their toes or at the edge of their seat from start to finish.

Rated: 4.5/5

Feb 11, 2024

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Keith Garlington

Keith & the Movies

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.

Rated: 4.5/5

Aug 22, 2022

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Mike Massie

Gone With The Twins

The real stars of the film are mind games and manipulation, sharply brought to life by the restrained verbal feuding between Bogart and Robinson.

Rated: 9/10

Aug 13, 2020

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Dan F

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.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

09/29/24

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Josh D

Robinson is Great, Bacall is Great, & Bogart is Excellent! Top 5 of Bogies career

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

05/28/24

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John S

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.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

03/02/24

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Jeff S

Bogart and Bacall are great in this tense drama facing off against classic bad guy Edward G. Robinson and his sidekicks, which include the talented Thomas Gomez. Director John Huston scores yet another hit.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

02/13/24

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Alec B

There are some great performances here, but the movie is filled with potentially interesting ideas about heroism and the nature of evil that are sidelined for some pretty dull gangster villains that even Robinson can't make all that interesting.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

01/10/24

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JJJJJJ J

Good enough to keep me interested through out. Though maybe a bit too direct at times this noir seemed to be more thoughtful in comparison to most other noirs of the time. The film is both shot, and acted beautifully and the plot was enough to keep me engaged throughout. Like I said the main critic comes from its less than stellar script. I think this film is a great watch for those that want to look back on previous American "values" and "ideals" or for any fan of the noir genre. Highly recommend.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

09/12/23

Full Review

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John Huston

Director

Humphrey Bogart

Frank McCloud

Edward G. Robinson

Johnny Rocco

Lauren Bacall

Nora Temple

Lionel Barrymore

James Temple

Claire Trevor

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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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