Keys of the Kingdom [VHS]

This was Gregory Peck's second starring role (the first being "Days of Glory", which was not well received) and it earned him a Best Actor Oscar nomination; he is wonderful in the part, and other great performances come from Thomas Mitchell as Dr. Willie Tullock, Rose Stradner as Sister Maria-Veronica, Benson Fong as Joseph, and Roddy McDowall as the young Francis.
Sensitive direction by John Stahl and music by Alfred Newman complete this film, which is satisfying viewing, and a must for Peck fans.
being 60 years old, the quality of the film shows a little age, but does not take away from the beauty of it. Total running time is 137 minutes.


This movie is a lesson in humility and grandure for living.   May 30, 1999
96 out of 101 found this review helpful

This is a film that will be remembered for a lifetime. Gregory Peck gives us the ingredients for living life in a very rewarding way. We don't need material things to have a life that is full. His receipe was simple but good: selflessness, humility, strong faith in God, patience, determination, kindness, and above all love. He was able to forgive those who tried to make him feel less than he was, and he always saw the good in those who tormented him. I would watch this movie, and show it to others, over and over again. It is a masterpiece. It is one of the few movies that gives people a role model without violence.


The Keys of the Kingdom   December 16, 2002
Linda Happer (Seattle, WA)
50 out of 50 found this review helpful

This is an excellent old movie showing how a Catholic Priest (Gregory Peck) overcomes adversity while trying to establish a Christian mission deep in China. When first arriving, he refuses to use rice to "buy" converts as the previous mission director had, and as a result has no "converts"----only one true believer who comes to offer to be his helper. They pray constantly for God to show a way, and eventually God does answer that prayer and reveals to Peck another way to win converts and save souls----a way of truth and integrity and compassion. This is NOT some dry, stale, boring story----the movie is filled with gun battles, war, the burning of the village, and a lost love, as China is caught up in the policital upheavel of the early 20th century. The best part is the end....one last battle back in the States....and the fruit of all his years in China is revealed.


Compelling Film About Serving God and Man   July 15, 2006
David Baldwin (Philadelphia,PA USA)
22 out of 23 found this review helpful

Along with "The Nun's Story" this has to be the best film made about religious faith and service. The film covers the life of Father Francis Chisholm (Gregory Peck), a Scottish priest, who by his own account is imperfect. By acknowleding his own imperfections he is willing to accept his differences with his fellow man. This mindset serves him well in his assignment as the head of a mission in China at the end of the 19th century. The Chinese are naturally suspicious of Westerners with their strange customs and religions and Father Chisholm's nature serves him well. Father Chisholm does not see his role as priest to erect large edifices or register converts. Rather, he sees his calling as to serve humanity as Christ did. In a way this film is light years ahead of it's time in it's promotion of ecumenism. Father Chisholm's work in China is a precedent for the work Mother Teresa did in Calcutta. In his film debut, Peck delivers probably the best work of his career. The role requires that he assay sixty years of a man's life and he does so remarkably. It's all the more impressive when you consider he was 28 at the time. Good supporting turns by Edmund Gwenn as Chisholm's kindly bishop, Thomas Mitchell as Chisholm's atheistic doctor friend, and Vincent Price as Chisholm's polar opposite in the priesthood.


"Up Pops The Devil!" ~ Overcoming Prejudice And Vanity In The Mission Field   July 25, 2006
Brian E. Erland (Brea, CA - USA)
27 out of 30 found this review helpful

'The Keys of the Kingdom' released in '44 is one of the great film classics from the "Golden Age" of Hollywood. This is a deeply spiritual and wonderfully inspiring movie that you're sure to respond emotionally to, so be sure to have a full box of kleenex on hand.

Gregory Peck is absolutely perfect in the starring role as Father Chisum, a humble, devote but highly unorthodox Catholic priest who can't seem to do anything right until he finally finds his calling in remote China. It is his honest nature and authentic love for the Chinese, not empty sermonizing, that little by little earns the love and trust of the community.

Director John M. Stahl's masterpiece contains some of the most expertly crafted black and white cinematograhy you'll ever see. Every landscape, every angle is a visual portrait of exquiste beauty. Also boasting a stellar cast of stars and a marvelous script, you'll certainly want to add this film to your DVD collection.