Key Largo

10 out of 10 don't make movies like this anymore or actors.

Amazing 'Bogie' film. Great story, great acting. Classic.

I can watch Key Largo til the cows come home and have seen it at least half a dozen times. It's got some of the best elements from all the great film noir's, plus an amazing cast and an added "exotic" location. Like the claustrophobic and sweaty Deep South melodramas from Tennessee Williams and such, Key Largo has lashings of ripe and heated verbal conflict, kidnapping and colourful characters, complete with an impending hurricane, just to spice things up further. Whilst it might not have the iconic visuals, or classic lines of that other Bogart/John Huston classic 'The Maltese Falcon', Key Largo is actually easier to watch and easier to follow. And as with any film pairing the Hollywood Golden couple of Bogart & Bacall, it remains essential viewing for any self-respecting film lover. A run-down Florida hotel is taken over by a gang of thugs and their mobster boss, (an excellent, sociopathic Edward G Robinson, who reprises his mega sinister 'Little Caesar' role) and his pathetic alcoholic floozy, an Oscar-winning Claire Trevor. Wheelchair-bound James Temple, the Hotel owner, played by the reassuring Lionel Barrymore and his daughter, Nora, played by Lauren Bacall try to handle this assault on their personal freedom but it soon gets out of hand. She's the widow of a WW2 buddy of Humphrey Bogart's character, who died in action and who Bogart visits out of respect. Notorious 'public enemy', nasty criminal, Johnny Rocco, presumed dead by some and his cronies is making his escape with loads of loot in the Keys when the winds whip up and so they take refuge in the resort. There's a battle of wits, followed by a battle of guns, bombardment by crashing palm trees and ferocious storms and then a finally a mad rush to escape (again) with the concluding final battle of everything between Robinson and Bogart. It's all entertaining nonsense, really but with more than a dash of bravado and plenty of action toward the end. I think it's an overlooked, under-appreciated gem, far from perfect but one that still glints and continues to catch my eye.

The films Bogart made around the early 1940's like this one often have a lot in common. There is always an element of tension created around the fact that we as viewers are never quite sure whether he's going to come good in the end or go towards the dark side. For people watching these films actually in the 1940's, this effect must have been much heightened by the fact that throughout the 30's he predominantly played villains while we have our perception of him coloured by the romantic hero of Casablanca, but still, this film follows that same 1940's formula much like the Maltese Falcon, or the Big Sleep. It isn't quite as good as those two I have to say, the tension is there, but not to the same extent, and my girlfriend, who after four years I have finally converted to Bogart, even though now she loves the Maltese Falcon and Casablanca still doesn't like this one. If you're new to Bogart I would suggest trying one of the films already mentioned first - probably the Maltese Falcon - but if you've already seen a few and want more, this will do very nicely! The acting is good (Edward G. Robinson is always good, and Clare Trevor won the Oscar for her performance as his alcoholic girlfriend), and of course it's memorable for being one of those films that put together Bogey and Bacall - one of the best screen partnerships of all time, Bacall being one of those few women able to convincingly stand up to Bogart's screen persona. A good, even very good film, well worth seeing - but watch the other Bogart films mentioned here first.

Watched this tonight for the first time in ages and I had forgotten just how good it is. 3 proper screen legends at the top of their game, taut direction, a good story, realistic photography-it really is Hollywood at it's best. No overblown action scenes, no cgi, and yes, they really do NOT make them like this any more, mores the pity.!

Reading the reviews for this film reminds me why I would never review a live, one-off performance of anything: so much depends upon one's own frame of mind (mood) at the time. I have watched "Key Largo" in this version three times over the space of as many years. It does not pal for me. I was impressed at the first viewing and I remain convinced by the film's integrity after the latest showing. Unlike another reviewer, I find both Bacall and Bogart fulfil their roles well. However, I would have to agree that Claire Trevor's performance is top grade. She is masterful in her portrayal of emotion through facial expression and body posture. She gives a similarly fine performance in a far lesser production "Born to Kill" [ Born to Kill [DVD ] with Lawrence Tierney. Picture and sound of high quality.

Bogie and Robinson ... The only thing that could be better is if Cagney coulda made the show. It's a broody claustrophobic film, with the setting being mostly indoors. You'll not see the likes of John Huston or these actors again - Bacall is her usual excellence as well. The actors wear a lot of white in this - very shiek and very classy. While this may not be my favourite of anyone involved... It's a Top tier genere film in my book. Seen it several times. I'd give it .... 8/10

Una obra maestra indiscutible del cine negro ahora con una imagen en alta definición insuperable. Compra obligada de uno de los clásicos del cine de todos los tiempos.

So wie beschrieben!

Magnifique film de John Huston qui a su réunir ici des acteurs de choix dans tous les rôles : le grand Humphrey Bogart et la belle Lauren Bacall bien sûr, et Arthur G. Robinson est vraiment magistral en chef de gang ainsi que son ex fiancée Claire Trevor, ici une alcoolique très émouvante. Mais Lionel Barrymore est exceptionnel dans le rôle du père vieillissant et handicapé. On voit que le réalisateur avait vraiment l'amour des acteurs. John Huston avait aussi toujours à coeur d'aller au-delà de l'histoire et des personnages, au-delà des apparences. Ici il nous offre une belle réflexion sur le courage et la lâcheté : qu'est-ce qu'un véritable héro ? A quoi sert le sacrifice ? A voir et à revoir.

Key Largo ist eine Insel in den Upper Florida Keys. Es ist die erste Insel der Florida Keys und der Ausgangspunkt des Overseas Highway nach Key West. Dorthin verschlägt es per Busreise den ehemalige US-Offizier Frank McCloud (Humphrey Bogart). Er möchte einen kurzen Besuch den Vater seines gefallenen Kameraden und Freundes besuchen. Dieser James Temple (Lionel Barrymore) und dessen junge Witwe Nora Temple (Lauren Bacall) kennen den Offizier bereits aus diversen Briefen. Eigentlich möchte sich mit McLoud auch nur kurz aufhalten, was den einzigen Besuchern der Pension von Temple ziemlich recht wäre. Diese dubiosen Männer geben an passionierte Tiefseefischer zu sein und haben gleich die ganze Pension für gutes Geld angemietet. Eine Alkoholikerin names Gay Dawn (Claire Trevor) begleitet die Gruppe. Derweil suchen Sheriff Ben Wade (Monte Blue) und sein Deputy Clyde Sawyer (John Rodney) nach 2 Indianern, die für 30 Tage in den Knast sollen. Da diese Vertrauen zum alten Temple haben, wollen sie sich auch bald stellen. Bald stellt sich heraus, dass die Fischer allesamt Gangster sind und der Boss Johnny Rocco (E.G.Robinson) ist. Ein s.g. Staatsfeind Nr. 1 in den 30er Jahren, der als Syndikatsboss die Prohobitionzeit mit Mord und Terror beherrschte. Die Frau ist seine ehemalige Geliebte, die er hier her beordert hat. Er selbst wurde des Landes verwiesen, möchte aber wieder in Amerika große Geschäfte machen. Natürlich spitzt sich die Lage dadurch gewaltig zu. Die Gangster wollen zwar nach mit dem Obermafiaboss Ziggy (Marc Lawrence) wieder verschwinden, aber wieviel Wert ist das Wort von Gangstern ? McCloud ist hin- und hergerissen vom Verstand, der ihm sagt ja nichts unüberlegtes zu tun "die Roccos dieser Welt sind mir egal" oder vom Charakter, der es mit der Gang aufnehmen möchte... Humphrey Bogart spielt einmal mehr den enttäuschten und desillusionierten Zyniker. Er ist vom Krieg geprägt, seine moralischen Maßstäbe haben darunter gelitten. Er ist einer dieser Kriegsheimkehrer ohne richtige Perspektive. Die Wahl zwischen lebender Feigling und toter Held steht plötzlich wieder im Raum. Dabei kneift McCloud zuerst, was eine kluge Entscheidung war. Im nächsten Moment und in einer der besten Szenen dieses klasse Film Noirs, der am Tag und während eines Sturms spielt, gibt er der tragischen Trinkerin entgegen Roccos Befehlen den versprochenen Drink. Er wird von Rocco mehrfach dafür geschlagen. Ein Moment, bei dem auch Nora, die enttäuscht war von McClouds Haltung, auch wieder Hoffung schöpft und den Mann mit Verantwortung und Mut anhimmeln kann. Großes Kino...mit drei Kinolegenden: Bogart, Bacall und "Little Caesar" E.G. Robinson, der immer als übler Gangsterboss in Erinnerung bleiben wird. Sein Rocco ist tatsächlich die Fortsetzung des Little Caesar. Dazu eine weitere große Darstellung von Claire Trevor (Ringo), die McCloud in einer hysterisch gespielten Szene einen kleinen Trumpf zuspielt.... Für mich sogar noch vor "Spur des Falken" und "Schatz der Sierra Madre" der beste Film von John Huston.

Buena imagen y buen sonido. todo un clasico