Keys to Your Heart

If you like action films, don't buy this. If you abhor Roman Catholics, don't watch this. if you'd like a sublime and superbly acted film, get this. Gregory peck gives one of his finest performances in a rich and touching adaptation of the AJ Cronin novel. He is supported by some great character actors including Vincent Price, a young Roddy McDowell (much less schmaltzy here than in How Green Was My Valley), and my favorite, Edmund Gwynn (Between Two Worlds, Trouble With Harry, Miracle on 34th St.) as Bishop Hamish MacNab.

Peck, a young Catholic priest with a vocation but a sad past, fails as a curate (parish assistant)and is sent to restart a mission deep inside China, in the turbulent early 20th century. There he finds his niche, in a gentle, pure, and low-key way.

Yes "keys' tugs at heart strings and yes it is very eccumenical. But that's almost beside the point of the story of a good Christian life and the lessons to be learned from it.

Still watchable over 60 years later, do get it if you don't mind VHS and black and white!

PS- Both the Mandarin and the Chinese writing are authentic and accurate, though Peck's accent leaves a lot to be desired. Hai shi yige hen hao'de dianying!

The Keys of the Kingdom (1944)

This is one of the best movies I have seen. I watched it yesterday for the first time and what a wonderful story. I would recommend this movie to families who want to sit down together to view a movie. I loved it and plan to view it again and again!!!!!

"how the days tumbled into my lap"

Based on the best-selling novel by A.J. Cronin, who also had a part in writing the script, this is a quiet, inspiring film that follows the long life of Father Francis Chisholm, who was not talented or clever in the traditional sense, but who lead a courageous and adventurous life and touched so many people with his great love, generosity and faith.
It starts with him as a child in Scotland, and when he becomes a priest, he is sent to China as a missionary, where he endures a multitude of challenges and successes.
It is told in the form of a narrative, as Cedric Hardwicke, playing Monsignor Sleeth, reads through Father Chisholm's journal.

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.