The Keys of the Kingdom

What a wonderful story of a man, despite much adversity, contributes himself to the Chinese community he loves so much. It is amazing how Peck makes it so effortless (even in his only second film)in portraying a young man to one in his twilight years. He personifies morality and quiet integrity in this film, reminiscent to the role that he would play nearly twenty years later in TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD.

The supporting cast which performs more than ably is led by Cedric Hardwicke playing a monsignor who was initially critical of the Peck character but emerges having respect for him after reading his memoirs (which form the narration for the film. Others include Thomas Mitchell as the irreverent self-proclaimed atheist who does much to provide the witty humour for the film, Edmund Gwenn as Peck's plucky mentor at the seminary who uses the term "ecclesiastical mechanic" to describe priests who are inflexible and bureaucratic, and Rose Stradner as the Mother Superior who falls in love with Peck (you only get a hint of this).

One of the highlights is the film's efforts in portraying the Chinese in a sensitive manner in terms of the customs shown and dialects used. This is very unlike films of its era which tended to portray Asians in a more stereotypical fashion.

I didn´t expect much of this film, as it is not much mentioned nowadays. Although it is a very simple movie, it evocates eternal values, such as honor, friendship and respect for other people's own values, that truly makes you feel very well after seeing it. It shows, also, how every religion should be guided and thought to someone, and not how it is usually done.

Only a movie from the 40's, like this one, dated like it is, to remind us some values that we are forced to forget everyday in this "global" world of merges, fusions, profits and unemployment. It is a lesson of humanity, decency and of how a man can stick to his opinions and really make the difference.

I first saw this movie some 35 years ago. It is a brilliant move that goes to the heart of showing the difference between a spiritual relationship and religion. It covers clearly so many ethical issues of life.

While the name of the movie may not in itself draw a person to watching it, it is nevertheless well worth watching. The entire cast of this movie was so well chosen that once seen in these roles it is hard to imagine them as playing any other part. Gregory Peck in the role of Father Francis Chisholm, Thomas Mitchell as Dr. Willie Tullock and Vincent Price as he Rev. Angus Mealey are a few examples of the excellent casting.

A movie that promotes great introspection and a lot of tears

Before getting started I should confess that I am an unabashed worshipper of Mr. Gregory Peck. In mourning his death, I resolved to track down and watch those few of his films that I hadn't yet seen. The Keys of the Kingdom came early in the process and was a delighful surprise. I admit, I had rather low expectations knowing that this was only his second film. Nevertheless, Greg shines as brightly in this as he does in so many of his later films. Thomas Mitchell (best known as Uncle Billy in It's a Wonderful Life) is also charming as the atheist best friend to Peck's priest.

The movie explores the unusual tension within the church between succeeding at being a good person and succeeding at climbing the ecclesiastical ladder. As you might guess, Peck plays to type as the good-hearted priest who never quite gains the respect of his superiors. Look for Vincent Price as an example of the latter; a less than caring priest who is consistently promoted.

This is a charming albeit slightly sentimental film that I hope to see available in DVD format someday. Until then it is well worth the effort it might take to track it down.

A good adaptation of AJ Cronin's famous book by a melodrama expert John Stahl,and a great actor,Gregory Peck,as good as ever.A fine appearance by Roddy McDowall as Francis as a boy.

Good scenes: the priest whose idea of Christianity comes up against a retrograde hierarchy,Francis's parent's death,the nuns arriving at the mission.But my favorite scene will remain the death of Francis 's friend, a man who does not believe in God,what the holier-than-thou would call a heathen person,but one good fellow who gave his life to help the priest.This is one of those absorbing tales which were very long but where you never got bored.