Les clés du royaume

I didn´t expect much of this film, as it is not much mentioned nowadays. Although it is a very simple movie, it evocates eternal values, such as honor, friendship and respect for other people's own values, that truly makes you feel very well after seeing it. It shows, also, how every religion should be guided and thought to someone, and not how it is usually done.

Only a movie from the 40's, like this one, dated like it is, to remind us some values that we are forced to forget everyday in this "global" world of merges, fusions, profits and unemployment. It is a lesson of humanity, decency and of how a man can stick to his opinions and really make the difference.

So often in older Hollywood films, religious films are cloying or loaded with clichés. While they try to be inspiring, they often leave me feeling a bit embarrassed because they are just so badly written--filled with platitudes and unrealistically "holy" performances. Because of this, I didn't rush to see this film--even though it starred one of my favorite actors, Gregory Peck. I was so pleasantly surprised to see that instead of the near-perfect and bigger than life character, Peck played a very down to earth and decent sort of priest--who was still quite human. Because of this, the film seemed real and very watchable.

The film begins with an old Gregory Peck living as a very old priest in Scotland. He is being chastised for his unorthodox ways, though after a minor chewing out, his superior, Cedric Hardwicke happens upon Peck's diary and begins to read about his career. At this point, the film becomes a flashback and we see a younger and more vigorous Peck in his native Scotland (though he never comes close to approximating the accent). From his college days to becoming a missionary in China we see his growth and mistakes and his humility throughout it all.

This gentle film manages to pull the viewer in due to its excellent acting, writing and direction. One thing I really liked is that the Chinese roles were actually all played by Asian-Americans--not the more traditional White guys ridiculously made up to look Chinese. There's very little not to like here--give it a look and don't worry--it's very enjoyable and not the least bit preachy.

FYI--Although Cedric Hardwicke is reading Gregory Peck's diary in order to know what was occurring, there were a few instances when information took place on the screen in the flashback that Peck could not have known and could not have written in his diary. In other words, how could Hardwicke be reading about things that others did if they never told Peck? Just a minor continuity problem and it doesn't seriously effect the film.

This is an interesting story about a priest Father Francis Chisholm(Gregory Peck), who went to China to establish a parish. He never wanted to get money easily, for him was much more important to get more people really devoted to catholicism than to get funds from any people, and for this he made all efforts serving even as a doctor in the community. Another important aspect shown although not deep, was the difference among the priests. Some are humble like the hero of the film but others are arrogant and look more for the wealth of the church instead of looking for the wealth of poor people. Catholicism have lost many areas because of the lack of sacrifice of many of its priests otherwise it would reign nearly everywhere in the world. Priests like Father Chisholm would have been the salvation.

What a wonderful story of a man, despite much adversity, contributes himself to the Chinese community he loves so much. It is amazing how Peck makes it so effortless (even in his only second film)in portraying a young man to one in his twilight years. He personifies morality and quiet integrity in this film, reminiscent to the role that he would play nearly twenty years later in TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD.

The supporting cast which performs more than ably is led by Cedric Hardwicke playing a monsignor who was initially critical of the Peck character but emerges having respect for him after reading his memoirs (which form the narration for the film. Others include Thomas Mitchell as the irreverent self-proclaimed atheist who does much to provide the witty humour for the film, Edmund Gwenn as Peck's plucky mentor at the seminary who uses the term "ecclesiastical mechanic" to describe priests who are inflexible and bureaucratic, and Rose Stradner as the Mother Superior who falls in love with Peck (you only get a hint of this).

One of the highlights is the film's efforts in portraying the Chinese in a sensitive manner in terms of the customs shown and dialects used. This is very unlike films of its era which tended to portray Asians in a more stereotypical fashion.

Before getting started I should confess that I am an unabashed worshipper of Mr. Gregory Peck. In mourning his death, I resolved to track down and watch those few of his films that I hadn't yet seen. The Keys of the Kingdom came early in the process and was a delighful surprise. I admit, I had rather low expectations knowing that this was only his second film. Nevertheless, Greg shines as brightly in this as he does in so many of his later films. Thomas Mitchell (best known as Uncle Billy in It's a Wonderful Life) is also charming as the atheist best friend to Peck's priest.

The movie explores the unusual tension within the church between succeeding at being a good person and succeeding at climbing the ecclesiastical ladder. As you might guess, Peck plays to type as the good-hearted priest who never quite gains the respect of his superiors. Look for Vincent Price as an example of the latter; a less than caring priest who is consistently promoted.

This is a charming albeit slightly sentimental film that I hope to see available in DVD format someday. Until then it is well worth the effort it might take to track it down.