Intcatinfo A Masterpiece!

CrawlerChunky In truth, there is barely enough story here to make a film.

Derry Herrera Not sure how, but this is easily one of the best movies all summer. Multiple levels of funny, never takes itself seriously, super colorful, and creative.

Dana An old-fashioned movie made with new-fashioned finesse.

prepalaw I just watched this film twice within the past two weeks and find the drama very compelling. Having participated in war, I understand full well how banal and boring life during wartime becomes. You are controlled by events and decisions beyond your control. Both the soldier in war, and the person very close to him, are deeply affected. What is portray here is very gripping and real. Ms. Loren's role is like that of the "furniture girl" in Soylent Green. Both women are not sluts - they have feelings too! They are doing what they have to do to survive in desperate times. When the movie ends, your brief and intimate contact with war itself is over. And then, you return to your normal life. If the movie is not sufficiently dramatic for you, then I suggest an enlistment in the Marine Corps or similar combat unit.

moonspinner55 Jan de Hartog's novel "Stella" becomes interesting, erratic, uneven WWII battle story mixed with romantic melodrama. William Holden, an American sergeant with the Canadian Army (!), is transferred to England to captain a rescue-tugboat in U-boat-infested Atlantic waters; the job inadvertently comes with a flat and a resident girl (Sophia Loren, an Italian by way of Switzerland!). Carol Reed directs the shipboard battle sequences well, but there's too much intricate detail (bombs going off, waves rocking the ships, crews scrambling the decks) that one loses sight of the main characters. Holden has some wonderful moments early on--fearful of his new position, nervous about his first day on the job--and his gaining respect from his men is one of the highlights of the picture. Loren has much less to work with...and in much less time; every so often she has a frightening premonition, or she's cooking, cleaning, or getting out of the tub. The bit with the apartment key near the end (passing it along before a treacherous assignment) is pure balderdash, and even talented Holden can't make the final scenes work. Very nice cinematography from Oswald Morris, sumptuous scoring by Malcolm Arnold; yet, overall, the picture is a minor one. ** from ****

edwagreen Absolutely miserable film despite the wonderful Bill Holden, Sophia Loren and Trevor Howard starring in it.This picture never takes off. Holden, in the Canadian army, goes over to England to work on a tug only to meet old-time pal Howard. The latter is sharing an apartment with Sophia Loren, who appears to tragically jinx everyone she is involved with.We have some bombings, mass destruction but what is the basic story line here?How fortunate Howard was to be a victim of a blast here. In that way, he could get away from this nonsense.Sir Carol Reed many some many fine pictures during his long, distinguished career including 1968's Oscar winning "Oliver!" This film, "The Key," is a dud in every respect.

whpratt1 This film tells the story about Tug Boats being utilized by England during 1941 in order to try and salvage damaged ships which were hit by German U Boats. David Ross, (William Holden) is an American assigned to one of these Tugs which are poorly armed, with guns that do not function when needed. David has not been on a tug in over ten years and meets up with an old chum named Capt. Chris Ford, (Trevor Howard) who shares an apartment with a very attractive gal named Stella, (Sophia Loren) who seems to like Tug Boat Captains as she has had many Captains who have died once she gives them a key to her apartment. The story makes a complete turn when Chris gives David a key to the apartment and that is when the trouble starts to happen. There is plenty of action, drama and romance. Great film with an outstanding story and Sophia Loren looked great at the age of 24 years. WOW