The Keys of the Kingdom

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The Keys of the Kingdom

1944

2h 17m

Drama

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4 Reviews

83%

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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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Steven D. Greydanus

Decent Films

Aug 9, 2006

B

Peck's star-making turn… earned him a Best Actor nod and established his screen persona as a ruggedly decent, dignified underdog.

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Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

May 8, 2023

3.5/4

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.

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Emanuel Levy

EmanuelLevy.Com

Dec 13, 2010

B-

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.

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Felix Gonzalez Jr.

DVD Review

Jul 10, 2007

... a beautiful and uplifting story with uniformly strong performances from its brilliant cast.

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Keith C.

@presto1989 Feb 6, 2026

Excellent movie staring the amazing Gregory Peck. Made back when you could make a positive Catholic movie.

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lanfranco c

@Lanfrancobz May 16, 2022

A life dedicated to the others through the faith

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steve d

@RT35616104 Jul 22, 2020

Peck makes the whole thing work.

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Thomas M

@TMProofreader Feb 1, 2019

The best inspiring movie ever made!

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Dec 24, 2017

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.

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Apr 8, 2016

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

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John M. Stahl

Director

Gregory Peck

Father Francis Chisholm

Thomas Mitchell

Willie Tulloch

Vincent Price

Angus Mealey

Roddy McDowall

Francis Chisholm as a Boy

Edmund Gwenn

Father Hamish MacNabb

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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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