IMDb > On the Waterfront (1954)
On the Waterfront
Quicklinks
Top Links
trailers and videosfull cast and crewtriviaofficial sitesmemorable quotes
Overview
main detailscombined detailsfull cast and crewcompany creditstv schedule
Awards & Reviews
user commentsexternal reviewsnewsgroup reviewsawardsuser ratingsparents guiderecommendationsmessage board
Plot & Quotes
plot summarysynopsisplot keywordsAmazon.com summarymemorable quotes
Fun Stuff
triviagoofssoundtrack listingcrazy creditsalternate versionsmovie connectionsFAQ
Other Info
merchandising linksbox office/businessrelease datesfilming locationstechnical specslaserdisc detailsDVD detailsliterature listingsNewsDesk
Promotional
taglines trailers and videos posters photo gallery
External Links
showtimesofficial sitesmiscellaneousphotographssound clipsvideo clips

On the Waterfront (1954) More at IMDbPro »

Photos (see all 43 | slideshow) Videos (see all 6)
On the Waterfront (1954) -- An ex-prize fighter turned longshoreman struggles to stand up to his corrupt union bosses.
On the Waterfront (1954) -- MattTrailer.com - Trailer (Flash)

Overview

User Rating:
MOVIEmeter: ?
Up 5% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Director:
Writers:
Malcolm Johnson (suggested by articles)
Budd Schulberg (story)
more
Contact:
View company contact information for On the Waterfront on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
24 June 1954 (Japan) more
Genre:
Tagline:
The Man Lived by the Jungle Law of the Docks! more
Plot:
An ex-prize fighter turned longshoreman struggles to stand up to his corrupt union bosses. full summary | full synopsis
Plot Keywords:
Awards:
Won 8 Oscars. Another 16 wins & 7 nominations more
NewsDesk:
(43 articles)
Spike Lee's Upcoming Film Slate
 (From LatinoReview. 30 November 2009, 1:52 PM, PST)

Birthday Suit: You've Seen Demi's
 (From FilmExperience. 11 November 2009, 4:00 AM, PST)

User Comments:
Still Packs A Wallop more (186 total)

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)

Marlon Brando ... Terry Malloy

Karl Malden ... Father Barry

Lee J. Cobb ... Johnny Friendly

Rod Steiger ... Charley 'the Gent' Malloy
Pat Henning ... Timothy J. 'Kayo' Dugan
Leif Erickson ... Glover
James Westerfield ... Big Mac
Tony Galento ... Truck
Tami Mauriello ... Tullio
John F. Hamilton ... 'Pop' Doyle (as John Hamilton)
John Heldabrand ... Mutt
Rudy Bond ... Moose
Don Blackman ... Luke
Arthur Keegan ... Jimmy
Abe Simon ... Barney
more
Create a character page for: ?

Additional Details

Also Known As:
The Hook (USA) (working title)
more
Runtime:
108 min
Country:
Language:
Aspect Ratio:
1.85 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Mono (Western Electric Recording)
Certification:
Mexico:A | Iceland:12 | South Korea:12 | Brazil:14 | Argentina:13 | Australia:PG | Canada:PG (Ontario) | Finland:K-16 | Norway:16 (1954) | Sweden:15 | UK:A (original rating) | UK:PG (video rating) (1985) | USA:Approved (certificate #16916) | West Germany:12

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
Although the part of Edie Doyle properly is a lead, producer Sam Spiegel listed Eva Marie Saint as a Supporting Actress in the hopes of getting her a nomination. The ploy worked, and she won the Oscar. more
Goofs:
Revealing mistakes: Obvious dummy for Terry's brother's hanging. more
Quotes:
Father Barry: You'd better get rid of that gun, unless you haven't got the guts, and if you don't, you'd better hang on to it! more
Movie Connections:
Spoofed in Knightriders (1981) more

FAQ

Is "On the Waterfront" based on a book?
How much sex, violence, and profanity are in this movie?
A Note Regarding Spoilers
more
55 out of 92 people found the following comment useful.
Still Packs A Wallop, 1 February 2006
10/10
Author: ccthemovieman-1 from Lockport, NY, United States

Still powerful after all these years, it's easy to see why this film won so many awards. Even though it isn't classified as "film noir," it might as well be, as it has the earmarks of one: gritty, downbeat with a feeling of dread, magnificent black-and-white cinematography, etc.

It's certainly not a "fun" movie but if you appreciate great film-making, you have to rate this near the top of the list Not only is the direction (by one of the all-time greats, Elia Kazan) superb and the photography striking, the acting also is top-rate.

Marlon Brando was just riveting to watch in here and deserved all the accolades he received for his performance. Talk about a guy with mixed emotions and a tormented soul! Eva Marie Saint, as Brando's "conscience" and love interest, proved to be worthy in her role.

The rest of the characters were angry people, always shouting it seemed, always upset at someone. Even the priest, played by Karl Malden, was that way although one of his passionate speeches was remarkable to hear. How many films does one hear about Jesus Christ being everywhere men are? None I can recall, offhand. He, like Saint's character, also influenced Brando to do the right thing.

Lee J. Cobb filled his bill as the angriest of them all, the labor boss who would have anyone killed who dare speak out against his illegal practices, and Rod Steiger was his normal intense self as Brando's older brother. Hey, almost everyone was intense in this film. It gets you involves and wears you out by the end.

Steiger and Brando's conversation in an automobile fairly late in the film ("I couda been a contenda") is one of the most famous scenes in movie history, but I found many memorable scenes in this movie....too many to recount here.

Suffice to say if you are looking for a hard-nosed drama with great acting and photography, a film that still looks and sounds up-to-date in many respects, don't be afraid to give this "oldie" a look. You'll see why it's considered one of the best movies of all time.

Was the above comment useful to you?
more (186 total)

Message Boards

Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for On the Waterfront (1954)
Recent Posts (updated daily)User
to the 971 people who gave this 1 star... picasso2
Am I the only one who did not love this... bcor21
Good film/bloody awful music Charlie_Big_Potatoes
The first time I watched this was on the lawn... rck_n_rll
BRANDO'S SWOLLEN EYES urbaneis
Greatest Male Film Performances donscarface2
more

Recommendations

If you enjoyed this title, our database also recommends:
- - - - -
A History of Violence The Godfather: Part II Gone with the Wind Giant Miller's Crossing
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
Show more recommendations

Related Links

Full cast and crew Company credits External reviews
News articles IMDb top 250 movies IMDb Crime section
IMDb USA section Add this title to MyMovies

You may report errors and omissions on this page to the IMDb database managers. They will be examined and if approved will be included in a future update. Clicking the 'Update' button will take you through a step-by-step process.