Key Largo

Key Largo

Year: 1948

Runtime: 100 mins

Language: English

Director: John Huston

ThrillerCrimeWar and historical adventureCrime drugs and gangstersGritty crime and ruthless gangsters

During a raging hurricane in the Florida Keys, terror erupts inside a hotel. Sadistic mobster Johnny Rocco has taken refuge there, forcing hotel owner James Temple, his widowed daughter‑in‑law Nora, and former GI Frank McCloud into hostage positions. The storm outside mirrors the deadly standoff within.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline – Key Largo (1948)

Trace every key event in Key Largo (1948) with our detailed, chronological timeline. Perfect for unpacking nonlinear stories, spotting hidden connections, and understanding how each scene builds toward the film’s climax. Whether you're revisiting or decoding for the first time, this timeline gives you the full picture.

1

Frank arrives at Hotel Largo

Army veteran Frank McCloud arrives at Hotel Largo in Key Largo to visit the Temple family. He meets Nora Temple and her father-in-law James, and begins sharing memories of George's bravery and the small details he spoke of. The looming hurricane and the off-season emptiness set a tense mood.

early evening Hotel Largo, Key Largo, Florida
2

Frank's stories awaken George's memory

Frank recounts George's heroism under fire in Italy, sharing anecdotes and letters that Nora and James find moving. The conversations establish a kinship between Frank and the Temples as they connect through George. Emotions rise as the weight of war and loss settles over the room.

evening Hotel Largo, Key Largo, Florida
3

Hurricane looms as guests gather

The winter season has ended and only six guests remain at the hotel as a hurricane bears down. The staff and guests prepare for the storm, reinforcing a claustrophobic, high-tension environment. Outside, the storm threatens to trap everyone inside with mounting secrets.

before storm Hotel Largo, Key Largo, Florida
4

Police arrive to search for Osceola brothers

Sheriff Ben Wade and Deputy Clyde Sawyer visit the hotel to search for John and Tom Osceola, fugitives in the area. Their presence adds a layer of law-and-order tension and foreshadows trouble behind the walls. The encounter heightens the sense that danger lurks both inside and outside the hotel.

early evening Hotel Largo, Key Largo, Florida
5

Seminoles seek shelter at the hotel

Local Seminoles, including the Osceola brothers, seek shelter at the hotel from the approaching storm. Their arrival complicates the dynamics among guests and lawmen, increasing the potential for conflict. The hotel becomes a temporary refuge under siege conditions.

as storm approaches Hotel Largo, Key Largo, Florida
6

Hostage situation begins

As the hurricane nears, Curly, Ralph, Angel, and Toots pull guns and seize Nora, James, and Frank. They reveal that the sixth man is Johnny Rocco, a notorious gangster waiting for Miami contacts. The group uses the storm as cover to tighten their control over the hotel and its inhabitants.

during hurricane approach Hotel Largo, Key Largo, Florida
7

Deputy Sawyer is killed

In the ensuing chaos, Rocco and his men shoot Deputy Sawyer and dispose of his body by burying it at sea. The brutal act demonstrates the gang's ruthlessness and raises the stakes for the hostages and local authorities alike. The hotel descends further into danger as the storm rages on.

during hurricane Hotel Largo vicinity
8

Gaye's mistreatment and Frank's restraint

Rocco tortures Gaye Dawn by forcing her to sing and by belittling her, while Frank remains polite and offers her a drink, avoiding direct confrontation. Nora observes that Frank's courage mirrors George's valor, deepening the emotional connection. The moral contrast highlights Frank's restraint under pressure.

during hostage crisis Hotel Largo
9

Gaye tells Wade who bears the blame

Gaye Dawn tells Sheriff Wade that Rocco is responsible for Deputy Sawyer's murder, attempting to deflect blame away from the Seminoles. Wade weighs this information as the hotel situation deteriorates further. The confession shifts the dynamic of who might be targeted next.

post-crime events during crisis Hotel Largo vicinity
10

Wade suggests Ziggy's gang has been captured

Wade mentions that Ziggy's gang has been captured and leaves with Gaye to identify them, adding another layer of police intrigue to the precarious situation. The implication is that the criminal web is broader than the immediate hostage crisis. The hotel crowd braces for whatever comes next.

post-Sawyer murder Hotel Largo vicinity
11

Ziggy arrives to finalize the counterfeit deal

Rocco's contact Ziggy arrives at the hotel to purchase a large amount of counterfeit money, signaling ongoing criminal activity even as the storm subsides. The encounter confirms that the criminals' plans extend beyond their current confines. The tension inside the hotel remains high as negotiations unfold.

post-storm aftermath Hotel Largo, Key Largo, Florida
12

Escape plan and transfer to Cuba

Rocco forces Frank, a skilled seaman, to take him and his henchmen back to Cuba on the small hotel boat. Gaye secretly helps by passing Rocco's gun to Frank, turning the odds in favor of the hostages. The group moves onto the boat under the cover of darkness and rough seas.

at sea Hotel boat, Straits of Florida
13

Frank eliminates the gang at sea

Out on the Straits of Florida, Frank uses seamanship, trickery, and the stolen gun to kill the gang members one by one. He secures the hostages' safety and heads back toward shore, signaling for help. The violent confrontation ends the immediate threat to Nora, James, and Frank.

at sea Straits of Florida
14

Return to Key Largo and Coast Guard contact

Frank steers the boat back toward Key Largo while radioing for Coast Guard assistance and a message to the hotel. The remote threat recedes as rescue efforts begin to converge on the scene. Nora and James await news with bated breath as the ordeal nears its end.

return voyage Straits of Florida to Key Largo
15

Phone rings and final reunion

The phone rings with news that Frank is returning safely, bringing a flood of relief to Nora and James. Nora opens the shutters to let in the sun while Frank steers the boat toward shore. The family atmosphere returns as the hotel prepares to welcome him back home.

arrival at port Hotel Largo, Key Largo, Florida

Last Updated: October 09, 2025 at 10:49

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