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The Keys of the Kingdom

Play trailer Poster for The Keys of the Kingdom Released Dec 15, 1944 2h 17m Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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Tomatometer 4 Reviews 83% Popcornmeter 500+ Ratings
Orphaned as a child, Francis Chisholm (Gregory Peck) grows up to join the priesthood. He decides to become a missionary in China, and arrives to find the previous church burned down. Undaunted, he presses on, but doesn't initially fare well with the local populace. It's not until the child of a Mandarin falls ill that Chisholm proves his worth. Over time, he collaborates with a trio of nuns, endures several wars and, at the end of his life, returns to Scotland.
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The Keys of the Kingdom

Critics Reviews

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Steven D. Greydanus Decent Films Peck's star-making turn… earned him a Best Actor nod and established his screen persona as a ruggedly decent, dignified underdog. Rated: B Aug 9, 2006 Full Review Matt Brunson Film Frenzy In an era in which Christianity continues to be soiled by money-grubbing evangelists and venal right-wing politicians, it’s refreshing to come across a sincere tribute to the qualities that truly represent religious purity. Rated: 3.5/4 May 8, 2023 Full Review Emanuel Levy EmanuelLevy.Com With the help of an Oscar nomination, Gregory Peck becamea major star after appearing in Fox's religious bio-epic, in which he plays the heroic Scottish priest, Father Francis Chisholm. Rated: B- Dec 13, 2010 Full Review Felix Gonzalez Jr. DVD Review ... a beautiful and uplifting story with uniformly strong performances from its brilliant cast. Jul 10, 2007 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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lanfranco c A life dedicated to the others through the faith Rated 3 out of 5 stars 03/30/23 Full Review steve d Peck makes the whole thing work. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 03/30/23 Full Review Audience Member The best inspiring movie ever made! Rated 5 out of 5 stars 02/26/23 Full Review Audience Member It Is A 'Classic' of cinema, yes, I Give You That..But It's Also Incredibly Slow, Full Of Longing Looks & Overt Emotional Turmoil, If It Were A True Story It Might Make All That Honey Gift Giving To The Children & Cultural Understanding Of Social Faux-Pars A Little More Genuine. It Felt Tho, All Too Hollywood & Gone-Wind-The-Wind'esk As Gregory Continually Called On God To Replenish The Sinful Of Their Ways, Instil Faith In The Whimsical & Save The Day With Brooding Thoughtfulness.. By The End, I'd Had Enough..& Only The Truly Devoted Film-Noir Gurus Will Appreciate This. Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars 02/21/23 Full Review Audience Member Overly long, and lacking enough conflict to leave any real impact. Gregory Peck holds his own in this early role and makes his idealistic priest a likable, if not a little dull, character. The film is also notable for appearances by a young Roddy McDowall, and Vincent Price minus his famous moustache. 2 1/2 stars Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars 01/18/23 Full Review Audience Member Good stuff. Enter Gregory Peck in his 2nd theatrical outing starring along side as greats as Vincent Price, I guess Price wasn't a huge actor at the time and this was still early to his career, because once again this was a minor role. Anyway, this is an extremely original film and especially creative given the time. As far as I can tell, this film is not based on any historical facts or events. The events unfolding take place about a decade prior to the film's release date. An up and coming priest in the making has to make a decision between his Catholical career or the love his life. That love was cut short by a decision she made, his decision is made and he gets ordained. The priest is then asked by a bishop to set up a mission in China. The film sounds simple enough but ends up being anything but simple. Peck then continues to age throughout the film as his career and life folds out through his trial and tribulations that he goes through crafting his vision. The film is done beautiful but ends up being slow at times, no film really needs a remake, but this wouldn't be a bad idea for one. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 02/24/23 Full Review Read all reviews
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Movie Info

Synopsis Orphaned as a child, Francis Chisholm (Gregory Peck) grows up to join the priesthood. He decides to become a missionary in China, and arrives to find the previous church burned down. Undaunted, he presses on, but doesn't initially fare well with the local populace. It's not until the child of a Mandarin falls ill that Chisholm proves his worth. Over time, he collaborates with a trio of nuns, endures several wars and, at the end of his life, returns to Scotland.
Director
John M. Stahl
Producer
Joseph L. Mankiewicz
Screenwriter
Joseph L. Mankiewicz, Nunnally Johnson
Distributor
20th Century Fox
Production Co
Twentieth Century Fox
Genre
Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Dec 15, 1944, Original
Release Date (Streaming)
Mar 21, 2014
Runtime
2h 17m
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