The Keys of the Kingdom (1944): Cast & Plot
The Keys of the Kingdom is a 1944 drama directed by John M. Stahl, starring Roddy McDowall as Francis Chisholm, as a boy, Dennis Hoey and Cedric Hardwicke. It runs 2 hours 17 minutes.
- Released
- Runtime
- 2h 17m (137 min)
- Director
- John M. Stahl
- Genre
- Drama
- Original language
-
English - Studio
- 20th Century Fox
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is The Keys of the Kingdom About?
The premise of The Keys of the Kingdom without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
A young Irish priest, Father Chisholm, is dispatched to remote China to establish a Catholic parish among a largely non‑Christian population. While his childhood friend flourishes in a more familiar, Christian setting, Chisholm confronts hostility, isolation, disease, poverty and numerous setbacks. These trials humble him yet deepen his resolve to succeed.
The Keys of the Kingdom Themes & Keywords
· 50 tags- 1890s
- 1870s
- 1880s
- 1900s
- 1930s
- catholic missionary
- flashback
- priest
- church
- china
- poverty
- scotland
+38 more Show fewer
- missionary
- religion
- prayer
- wound
- younger version of character
- altar
- child
- reference to god
- reference to hell
- mentor protege relationship
- old man
- race relations
- sleeplessness
- threat
- fictional biography
- chinese army
- year 1938
- religious drama
- historical drama
- orphaned boy adopted
- based on the novel of the same name
- framing device
- orphaned child
- roman catholic priest
- catholic bishop
- artillery bombardment
- building a church
- priest as protagonist
- fictional location
- catholic mission
- christian charity
- cavalcade
- interiority
- life of service
- self sacrifice
- confession to priest
- anti catholic persecution
- religious conversion
The Keys of the Kingdom Cast & Characters
Roddy McDowall leads the cast as Francis Chisholm, as a boy, with Dennis Hoey as Alec Chisholm (uncredited) and Cedric Hardwicke as Monsignor at Tweedside. Directed by John M. Stahl; 35 actors are credited in all.
- Director John M. Stahl
-
Roddy McDowall as Francis Chisholm, as a boy - Dennis Hoey as Alec Chisholm (uncredited)
-
Cedric Hardwicke as Monsignor at Tweedside -
Gregory Peck as Fr. Francis Chisholm
Also Starring in The Keys of the Kingdom
· 31 more- Vincent Price Angus Mealey
- Peggy Ann Garner Nora as a Girl
- Jane Ball Nora, as an Adult
- Benson Fong Joseph
- Richard Wang Chinese Servant (uncredited)
- Thomas Mitchell Willie Tulloch
- Philip Ahn Mr. Pao, Envoy for Mr. Chia
- Leonard Strong Mr. Chia
- Anne Revere Agnes Fiske
- Georgie Nokes Andrew (uncredited)
- James Gleason Rev. Dr. Wilbur Fiske
- Edmund Gwenn Fr. Hamish MacNabb
- Arthur Shields Fr. Fitzgerald, Dean at Holywell
- Richard Loo Lt. Shon
- Ruth Clifford Sister Mercy Mary (uncredited)
- Sara Allgood Sister Martha
Show all 35 cast members Show fewer cast members
- Ruth Ford Sister Clotilde
- Beal Wong Chinese Captain (uncredited)
- J. Anthony Hughes Uncle Ned (uncredited)
- Ruth Nelson Mrs. Chisholm, Francis' Mother
- James B. Leong Taoist Priest at Boy's Healing (uncredited)
- Edith Barrett Aunt Polly
- Clarence Lung Orderly (uncredited)
- Moy Ming Chinese Doctor (uncredited)
- H.T. Tsiang Hosannah Wong
- Kevin O'Shea Father Craig
- Joseph Kim Chinese Servant (uncredited)
- Rose Stradner Reverend Mother Maria-Veronica
- Si-Lan Chen Philomena Wang
- Eunice Soo-Hoo Anna
- Eugene Louis Joshua (uncredited)
More from John M. Stahl
More films directed by John M. Stahl: Oh, You Beautiful Doll, Father Was a Fullback, The Walls of Jericho and The Foxes of Harrow.
The Keys of the Kingdom Plot Summary
What happens in The Keys of the Kingdom from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 12 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 5-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
Monsignor Sleeth, Cedric Hardwicke, visits Fr. Francis Chisholm in his aging Scottish parish at Tynecastle, Tweedside. He carries a quiet concern from the Bishop: that Francis should retire, troubled by his unorthodox teachings that still echo through the community. Sleeth returns to his rectory and discovers Francis’ journal, a sprawling memoir that begins in 1878 and follows a life defined by faith, doubt, and stubborn resilience.
Full summary
The whole story of The Keys of the Kingdom, scene by scene
The Keys of the Kingdom Trailers & Videos
The trailer of The Keys of the Kingdom.
How Well Do You Know The Keys of the Kingdom?
9 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.
Question 1 of 9
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
Who portrays Father Francis Chisholm in the film?
Seen The Keys of the Kingdom?
Movies Like The Keys of the Kingdom
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including The Key, The Left Hand of God and Diary of a Country Priest.
The Keys of the Kingdom FAQ: Cast, Runtime & Release Date
Runtime, release date, director, cast and post-credit scenes of The Keys of the Kingdom, each answered in a sentence.
How long is The Keys of the Kingdom?
The Keys of the Kingdom runs 2 hours 17 minutes (137 minutes).
When was The Keys of the Kingdom released?
The Keys of the Kingdom was released on December 15, 1944.
Who directed The Keys of the Kingdom?
The Keys of the Kingdom was directed by John M. Stahl.
More films by John M. Stahl Who is in the cast of The Keys of the Kingdom?
The Keys of the Kingdom stars Roddy McDowall as Francis Chisholm, as a boy, Dennis Hoey as Alec Chisholm (uncredited) and Cedric Hardwicke as Monsignor at Tweedside, among 35 credited actors.
Does The Keys of the Kingdom have a post-credit scene?
No. The Keys of the Kingdom has no extra scene during or after the credits.
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