The Key (1958) is a pretty good wartime drama with some good acting and enough suspense to keep us interested. The problem is that it needs to be edited down by at least 15 minutes. Especially, the seafaring missions on the tugboats. Some of this seems to drag on a bit too long and made me lethargic. Some effective usage of WW2 battlements, sounds and warfare are done well, but we don't need to drag out these scenes.
William Holden, Sophia Loren and Trevor Howard each give good performances. Sophia's delivers a rare understated and soft-spoken performance which is perfectly correct since she is the woman in question. Trevor Howard musters up a cantankerous voice for his weather beaten British sailor character. William Holden is himself naturally.
I particularly liked the metaphysical /supernatural element to this story since war movies are often too rehashed and derivative of other war movies. This had an interesting plot device. I must have watched the extended version of 2.5 hours plus. It's just too long. Strangely, the ending is not your typical Hollywood ending with a happy ending.
William Holden, Sophia Loren and Trevor Howard each give good performances. Sophia's delivers a rare understated and soft-spoken performance which is perfectly correct since she is the woman in question. Trevor Howard musters up a cantankerous voice for his weather beaten British sailor character. William Holden is himself naturally.
I particularly liked the metaphysical /supernatural element to this story since war movies are often too rehashed and derivative of other war movies. This had an interesting plot device. I must have watched the extended version of 2.5 hours plus. It's just too long. Strangely, the ending is not your typical Hollywood ending with a happy ending.