The Key (1958): Cast
The Key is a 1958 war drama directed by Carol Reed, starring William Holden as Capt. David Ross, Michael Caine and Sophia Loren. It runs 2 hours 14 minutes.
- Released
- Runtime
- 2h 14m (134 min)
- Director
- Carol Reed
- Original language
-
English - After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is The Key About?
The premise of The Key without spoilers.
He knows his life expectancy is as short as a match. In 1941 wartime England, tugboats are pressed into the treacherous “U‑Boat Alley” to haul damaged Allied ships to safety. American David Ross commands a tug and receives a spare key from a fellow crewman—a key to a modest flat and its occupant, a safeguard should anything happen to his friend.
The Key Themes & Keywords
· 50 tags- boat
- bare chested male
- year 1941
- war widow
- scene during opening credits
- death of ship captain
- falling in love
- prologue
- wartime romance
- dangerous mission
- apartment key
- sea captain
+38 more Show fewer
- haunted by the past
- 1940s
- historical fiction
- shared apartment
- war drama
- tragic romance
- sitting duck
- young widow
- military uniform
- tugboat captain
- cargo ship accident
- sea sickness
- everyday life during wartime
- ocean going ship
- sexual conquest
- reference to premarital sex
- army sergeant
- navy commander
- pipe
- mental depression
- reclusive woman
- comfort women
- jinx character
- american freighter
- inheritance
- aerial bombing
- sinking of a tugboat
- distress signal
- american man
- marriage proposal accepted
- period drama
- battle of the atlantic
- strafing from an aircraft
- emotional turmoil
- disabled ship
- nazi u boat
- salvage mission
- swiss italian
The Key Cast & Characters
William Holden leads the cast as Capt. David Ross, with Michael Caine as Seaman (uncredited) and Sophia Loren as Stella. Directed by Carol Reed; 28 actors are credited in all.
-
Director Carol Reed
-
William Holden as Capt. David Ross -
Michael Caine as Seaman (uncredited) -
Sophia Loren as Stella -
Trevor Howard as Capt. Chris Ford
Also Starring in The Key
· 24 more- Bernard Lee Cmdr. Wadlow
- John Crawford American Captain
- Oskar Homolka Van Dam
- Kieron Moore Kane
- Irene Handl Clerk
- Russell Waters Sparks
- Robert Rietti Dubbing (voice) (uncredited)
- Guy Standeven Policeman (uncredited)
- Noel Purcell Hotel Clerk
- Bryan Forbes Weaver
- Reg Thomason Soldier at Dance (uncredited)
- John Tatham Salvage Unit Captain (uncredited)
- Aileen Lewis Woman With Baby in Air Raid Shelter (uncredited)
- Rupert Davies Baker
- Renée Houston Canteen Worker (uncredited)
- Jameson Clark English Captain
Show all 28 cast members Show fewer cast members
- Ernie Rice Officer in Operations Room (uncredited)
- Pauline Chamberlain Woman Dancing at Forces Centre (uncredited)
- Beatrix Lehmann Housekeeper
- Keith Faulkner Signalman (uncredited)
- Sidney Vivian Grogan
- Belita Canteen Hostess (uncredited)
- Bart Allison Seaman on W88 (uncredited)
- Richard Neller Officer in Operations Room (uncredited)
More from Carol Reed
More films directed by Carol Reed, best-rated first: The Third Man, Odd Man Out, Oliver! and Mutiny on the Bounty.
Seen The Key?
Movies Like The Key
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including The Key, The Keyhole and The Key to Rebecca.
The Key FAQ: Cast, Runtime & Release Date
Runtime, release date, director, cast and post-credit scenes of The Key, each answered in a sentence.
How long is The Key?
The Key runs 2 hours 14 minutes (134 minutes).
When was The Key released?
The Key was released on May 28, 1958.
Who directed The Key?
The Key was directed by Carol Reed.
More films by Carol Reed Who is in the cast of The Key?
The Key stars William Holden as Capt. David Ross, Michael Caine as Seaman (uncredited) and Sophia Loren as Stella, among 28 credited actors.
Does The Key have a post-credit scene?
No. The Key has no extra scene during or after the credits.
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