Excellent film for the whole Catholic family
An excellent movie for a Catholic family. Gregory Peck's "unorthodox beliefs" are petty issues, not having to do with Church dogma, etc... and it's basically pitting a humble, Saintly man against Church leaders who are only interested in "numbers" of converts and their own rise to power. So I think a more accurate description would be that THEY were unorthodox, not this lovely, humble priest.

It's the story of a priest who has a really hard time with the people he has come to convert and help: How hard it is to be accepted by them, and the way that God works through him and them to change the hearts of the people, the people who become so dear to this wonderful priest in the end. A really uplifting, wonderful story that I highly recommend.

Some notes for parents: there are obvious cultural issues in China that are dealt with, nothing major, but there is a difference in religions. Some classic war scenes, nothing obnoxious or obvious but they are there, and during one the priest actually joins in to defend. There are lower Church officials shown in a negative way, although there are plenty shown positively too, so I would say that's a fair depiction. There is a mention of the story of a young lady who makes the wrong choices in life and has a child out of it, who then passes away. Those are the things I can think of off the top of my head. All of these are minor things and I suggest that you watch the movie with the entire family. Like many classic films, even when dealing with some harsh issues they don't elaborate on them; and the little ones don't quite catch them.

Keys of the Kingdom
Gregory Peck's 1st movie and a chance to see a young Vincent Price not in a horror role. An excellent family movie, worth watching many times.

wonderful classic
a very uplifting movie. gregory peck's performance outstanding. will put a smile on your face and warmth in your heart. you do not have to be a particular faith to appreciate. a true classic.

Keys of the Kingdom

The video arrived quickly, and it's in perfect shape. A good, old-fashioned movie, strong on story and character.

Elegance
What a beautiful film! What a fair film! What a great story! Hollywood is afraid to make movies with this much integrity and truth today. There was an elegance and a reality to this story that today's films do not know. Peck is wonderful and the Chinese characters are never patronized. They sometimes steal the scene, and for the time it was made, this is wonderful. Seminaries should use this film in the training of priest and missionaries. Hollywood should use this to train directors, actors, and writers!