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The Key (1958)

APPROVED 134 min  -  Drama | Romance | War  -   1 September 1958 (Italy)
6.6
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Ratings: 6.6/10 from 517 users  
Reviews: 12 user | 2 critic

During World War II, tug boats conduct what are called salvage missions - picking up disabled ships... See full summary »

Director:

Carol Reed

Writers:

Jan de Hartog (novel), Carl Foreman
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Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
William Holden ...
Capt. David Ross
Sophia Loren ...
Stella
Trevor Howard ...
Capt. Chris Ford
Oskar Homolka Oskar Homolka ...
Capt. Van Dam (as Oscar Homolka)
Kieron Moore Kieron Moore ...
Kane
Bernard Lee ...
Cmdr. Wadlow
Beatrix Lehmann Beatrix Lehmann ...
Housekeeper
Noel Purcell Noel Purcell ...
Hotel Porter
Bryan Forbes Bryan Forbes ...
Weaver
Sidney Vivian Sidney Vivian ...
Grogan
Rupert Davies Rupert Davies ...
Baker
Russell Waters Russell Waters ...
Sparks
Irene Handl Irene Handl ...
Clerk
John Crawford John Crawford ...
American Captain
Jameson Clark Jameson Clark ...
English Captain
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Storyline

During World War II, tug boats conduct what are called salvage missions - picking up disabled ships. Not well equipped with weaponry, the tugs are sitting ducks for enemy fire. As such, the crew working the tugs have precarious lives, many with deep seated emotional problems. Before the Americans join the war, ex-American military man David Ross is assigned to captain a tug for the British military. He is shown the ropes by an old friend, Captain Chris Ford. Chris currently shares a flat with a young beautiful Italian-Swiss woman named Stella, who came with the flat and who lives a reclusive life there. Chris is the latest in a long line of tug boat captains who have lived there, each who has found another person to take over the flat and the associated looking after of Stella if anything is to happen to him. That person is given a key to the flat, the key only to be used if needed. The first in the series was Phillip Westerby... Written by Huggo  

Plot Summary | Add Synopsis

Taglines:

He had the life expectancy of a match...

Genres:

Drama | Romance | War

Parents Guide:

View content advisory »
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Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

(Italy) See more »

Also Known As:

Der Schlüssel See more »

Company Credits

Production Co:

Highroad, Open Road Films (II) See more »
Show detailed company contact information on IMDbPro »

Technical Specs

Runtime:

 | West Germany:

Sound Mix:

Mono (Westrex Recording System)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1
See full technical specs »
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Did You Know?

Trivia

Kieron Moore was second choice for Kane. See more »

Soundtracks

"Lambeth Walk"
(uncredited)
Music by Noel Gay
Lyrics by Douglas Furber
Sung by the customers at the dance hall See more »