On The Waterfront [1954]

It isn’t difficult to see that these two occurrences had great bearing on the film. At the beginning of the film we find that Terry Malloy (Brando) has resigned himself to the idea that he missed out on his dream of being a prize-fighter. So he lives his life running errands for Johnny Friendly, the corrupt boss of the Dockers union. Terry witnesses a murder by two of Johnny's thugs, and later meets the dead man's sister (Edie Doyle) who he ultimately falls in love with. She introduces him to Father Barry (Karl Malden), who tries to make him supply information for the courts in order to destroy the dock racketeers.

The fact Terry is put in a situation at the end where he has to ‘ name names’ parallels Elia Kazan’s own dilemma. In fact he later said that ‘On the Waterfront is my own story; every day I worked on that film I was telling the world where I stood and my critics to go and **** themselves.’

America’s growing concern over complacency is also clear because Terry departs in every possible way from the groomed, well spoken leading man of the previous decades. Terry Malloy is strong yet gentle, invincible yet vulnerable. He was in fact born out of 50’s anxiety, as was James Dean’s character in Rebel Without a Cause.

For all the these reasons, as well as Marlon Brando’s method acting (a form of acting Elia Kazan invented in A Streetcar Named Desire) On The Waterfront is a seminal work. It’s worthy of your admiration, of your praise, of your time and of your money.


On Location In Hoboken.   February 4, 2003
 4 out of 6 found this review helpful

ON THE WATERFRONT is about the evil caused by a corrupt dock union and one man's courageous struggle against a brutal union boss (Lee J. Cobb) and his goons. Of course the hero (Marlon Brando) does not stand entirely alone as he receives a lot of support from his girl friend (Eva Marie Saint) and a Catholic priest (Karl Malden) in particular. The climactic scene near the end of the movie is unmatched in terms of impact and emotion.

The film dominated the Oscar competition in 1954 garnering awards for Best Picture, Best Actor (Marlon Brando), Best Director (Elia Kazan) and Best Supporting Actress (Eva Marie Saint). Nominations were also given for Best Supporting Actor (Lee J. Cobb, Rod Steiger, Karl Malden).

Brando's performance in the role of Terry Malloy is one of his very best. It is hard to find an example of better acting than his impersonation of the speech, movement and idiosyncracies of a prize fighter. Brando's effort adds much to the authentic atmosphere which pervades the movie. The casting of ex-fighters Tami Mauriello and Tony Galento as union muscle only magnifies this effect. Mauriello and Galento share the distinction of both being knockout victims of Joe Louis.


Kazan's untouchable portrayal of Mafia brutality and menace   February 3, 2003
 20 out of 20 found this review helpful

In 1954, acclaimed director of "A Streetcar Named Desire", Elia Kazan collaborated with one of the finest musicians of the time, Leonard Bernstein, and possibly the most gifted and versatile actors in screen history, Marlon Brando to create a film of nearly unmatchable power and disturbing realism.

"On the Waterfront" tells the emotional story of an ex-boxer, Terry Malloy (Brando), who, after seeing the immoral and deeply wrong nature of the mafia he is working for, realises the value of life and freedom and sets about to bring the organisation down for its crimes.

A superb performance on Brando's part as well as the film's supporting actors: Eva Marie Saint, who plays the attractive young nun, Edie, who convinces Malloy to listen to his conscience and eventually find his admirable view on life: Rod Steiger, who playsMalloy's brother, Charley The Gent, who shares the fantastic taxi scene with Brando, in which the relationship of the two brothers is seen in its real light: Karl Malden, who plays the creditable town priest whose goal from the outset is to persuade the workers at the dock to rise up against the mafia and expose their evil ways: and lee J. Cobb, who plays mafia leader, Johnny friendly whose ruthless and barbaric personality is mirrored perfectly in Cobbs performance.

Bernstein's score also adds to the amazing power of the film, reflecting the fear, hatred, anger and confusion in every workers hearts and minds in the film. The famous scene where a truck threatens to run Malloy and Edie over in a remote alleyway is given a vital accompaniment of striking overscore to convey the sense of panic and terror that is so prominent in most scenes in the film.

Perhaps most astonishing of all, are the emotions the film can't help but send racing through your mind when viewing it. The savage and barbarous existence of the mafia is so infallably crafted that its very presence in the film fills the viewers heart with anxiety, dread and alarm that I am yet to see paralleled by another piece of filmwork. Also, the touching humbleness of Brando's reformed character has a unique ability of communicating to people from all walks of life, and it is this every-man quality that forms Malloy so perfectly.

8 Academy Awards very well earned and an essential and truly brilliant films in the life of cinema, which even houses one of the most famous and emotive screen lines ever "I coulda been a contender." This immortal line encapsulates the magnificance and power of one the greatest films in history.


This is why Brando's considered one of the best   October 27, 2002
 8 out of 8 found this review helpful

'On The Waterfront' is a story about Terry Malloy, an ex-prizefighter who now works for gangsters on the docks. However, after being part of a murder, Malloy starts to feel guilty, yet his loyalty prevents his conscience from seeking penance. Through out the movie, Malloy is torn by his morals, particularly when he meets the sister of the murdered man.

Based on true events, the film paints a glum picture of working-class life, by shooting on location and in grimy black and white. Marlon Brando has gained phenomenal recognition for this role, and rightly so, offering one of the greatest performances in movie history - the torn and confused Terry Malloy - and yes, that famous scene - "I coulda been a contender." Rod Steiger is also brilliant as Malloy's brother Charley, who's deep underworld connections resulted in Malloy's present state. This movie deserves all the hype that surrounds it, as it is a genuinely classic, smart movie.

A brilliant morality tale, the "story of the redemption of Terry Malloy" is an astounding depiction of life and conscience, a man facing his personal demons and need to do the right thing. Despite the last two minutes of the movie (which went for a fairly misplaced up-beat feel), this is a must watch, must own, intelligent, thought-provoking classic.