21 of 21 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Key, October 27, 2000
This review is from: Key [VHS] (VHS Tape)
Number 12 Seaview is a spartan apartment in war ravaged Britain. Inside resides a "black widow," a live-in mistress to a succession of doomed rescue tug captains. Sophia Loren plays Stella with meloncholy beauty and sensitivity. Captain Chris Ford (Trevor Howard) is her latest lover. He received the key to the apartment from another captain who sensed the next torpedo had his name on it. Weary Stella is hardened by the war, she comes with the apartment and sees her lovers as temporary respite from the lonliness and grief she experiences with each one's passing.
Early on in the movie, Captain David Ross (William Holden) an American serving in the Canadian Army is transferred to the naval branch and sent to Britain as a replacement tugboat captain due to his past employment in that profession. He hooks up with old friend Captain Ford and the movie becomes an exploration of war's toll on morals and humanity.
Anyone who has faced imminent life threatening danger head-on will appreciate this movie. It honestly looks at men and women who move forward despite the fear inside. It also shows them losing their grip in private moments, then turning to face the world with a mask of fortitude. This is a thinking man's war movie and is especially suited for anyone interested in a story that goes deep and explores the real emotions of people who trudge through the war as survivors living on borrowed time.
If you like a good moral tale and also have an interest in ships and the sea (the footage of HMT Restive is real and shows the ship in all her rescue tug glory), you must not miss this movie. The acting is handled with a personal touch and Carol Reed directs with sympathy and an expert vision to bring out the haunting quality of humanity's dark side. "The Key" ranks alongside "The Cruel Sea" as an outstanding and insightful war movie. Definitely one of the best.
Victor M. Baca Editor & Publisher MODEL SHIP JOURNAL
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18 of 19 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Who is hiding this movie?, October 4, 2002
This review is from: Key [VHS] (VHS Tape)
Why is this movie so obscure? Three of the finest actors of the 50's and 60's play gritty and spooky, yet real and gripping roles, and only a few people take notice? This early WWII drama plays out the spent innocence, desperation, and despair of people trying to live with hope through a hopeless situation. Where are the flaws in this movie? Am I blind? Why is this movie not commercially popular like so many other equally worthy classic movies? Forget the stars! The supporting roles played by very gifted actors, the stark and stunning cinemataography, and the tensely paced story that unfolds makes this a great, if appearently unpopular classic. This is a quality movie that stands on its own merits regardless of popularity...
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7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
a must for die heart romantics, November 21, 1998
This review is from: Key [VHS] (VHS Tape)
Looking at this viedo, one senses the loneliness of war,for both men and women. Finding this viedo available is special. William Holden is handsome and Sophia Loren beautiful. The plot has its own sentimental moments and climaxes with realism and understanding for the die hard romantic. At least a 2 hankie.
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