Key Largo

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Key Largo

1948

1h 41m

Crime

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

97%

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36 Reviews

88%

Popcornmeter

10,000+ Ratings

This classic film noir by John Huston stars Humphrey Bogart as World War II vet Frank McCloud. Visiting Key Largo to pay his respects to the family of his late war buddy, McCloud attempts to comfort his comrade's widow, Nora, and father, James Temple, who operate a hotel. But McCloud realizes that mobsters, led by the infamous Johnny Rocco, are staying in the hotel. When the criminals take over the establishment, conflict is inevitable.

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Critics Consensus

Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall are at the mercy of Edward G. Robinson's menacing gangster -- and so is the audience in this enthralling chamber piece.

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Dave Kehr

Chicago Reader

04/08/2008

A little windy and rhetorical for my taste, but still one of John Huston's best efforts.

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Ian Nathan

Empire Magazine

04/08/2008

4/5

Perfeclty tense atmosphere and performances, with the sparks flying between Bogart and Bacall.

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Variety Staff

Variety

04/08/2008

Emphasis is on tension in the telling, and effective use of melodramatic mood has been used to point up the suspense.

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Danielle Solzman

Solzy at the Movies

02/11/2024

4.5/5

Key Largo manages to keep audiences on their toes or at the edge of their seat from start to finish.

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Keith Garlington

Keith & the Movies

08/22/2022

4.5/5

Loosely based on Maxwell Anderson’s 1939 play, “Key Largo” took the form of a brilliant crime drama anchored by a great cast and superb performances.

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Mike Massie

Gone With The Twins

08/13/2020

9/10

The real stars of the film are mind games and manipulation, sharply brought to life by the restrained verbal feuding between Bogart and Robinson.

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William B

@A1reviews Apr 27

A real good old movie.

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DJ B.

@TheNoirtheMerrier Feb 9

Bogart and Bacall were fantastic together. An outstanding role by Edward G Robinson. Lionel Barrymore also turned in a great late career performance. The beautiful scenery of the Keys, a hurricane, and a fantastic story with enough twists to keep it interesting all combine for a fantastic viewing experience.

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Per S

@RT83737705 Jan 19

Grand cast in another overrated John Houston film.

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Leaburn O

@RT35452347 Dec 17

A little bit too far fetched and overwrought for my liking. Acting is hammy and unbelievable. The plot is ok and it is fast moving enough to get through but I’m not onboard with its classic status. Watched on DVD.

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TheMovieSearch R

@TheMovieSearch Dec 16

Key Largo stands as a defining black-and-white classic that showcases Humphrey Bogart at the height of his screen presence, delivering a film that once represented a pivotal moment in cinematic history. The direction is confident and deliberate, creating tension through atmosphere, dialogue, and character interaction rather than spectacle. Each character feels purposeful, and their individual arcs gradually collide in ways that keep the story engaging and emotionally charged. The screenplay is strong for its time, allowing the audience to feel immersed in the setting and invested in the moral conflicts unfolding on screen. There is a craftsmanship here that reflects an era when cinema relied on performance and storytelling rather than constant stimulation. That said, Key Largo may struggle to resonate with younger audiences, feeling distant or slow due to changing viewing habits. While its legacy remains intact, its impact rests more on historical appreciation than mainstream appeal.

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Alain E

@AlainE Dec 8

I would say that the story, compared to more contemporary gangster/noir movies like the Goodfellas, Chinatown or Cape Fear, is kind of lame. Robinson looks more cartoonish than a really dangerous criminal. On the other hand the visual presence of Bogart and Bacall is iconic. Worth of watching.

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John Huston

Director

Humphrey Bogart

Frank McCloud

Edward G. Robinson

Johnny Rocco

Lauren Bacall

Nora Temple

Lionel Barrymore

James Temple

Claire Trevor

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Synopsis

This classic film noir by John Huston stars Humphrey Bogart as World War II vet Frank McCloud. Visiting Key Largo to pay his respects to the family of his late war buddy, McCloud attempts to comfort his comrade's widow, Nora, and father, James Temple, who operate a hotel. But McCloud realizes that mobsters, led by the infamous Johnny Rocco, are staying in the hotel. When the criminals take over the establishment, conflict is inevitable.

Director: John Huston
Producer: Jerry Wald
Screenwriter: Maxwell Anderson, Richard Brooks, John Huston
Distributor: Key Video, Warner Home Vídeo, MGM/UA Home Entertainment Inc., Warner Bros.
Production Co: Warner Brothers
Genre: Crime, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jul 16, 1948, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Mar 3, 2016
Runtime: 1h 41m