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IMDbPro

On the Waterfront

  • 19541954
  • ApprovedApproved
  • 1h 48m
IMDb RATING
8.1/10
153K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
3,090
98
On the Waterfront (1954)
Three Reasons Criterion Trailer for On the Waterfront
Play trailer1:36
1 Video
99+ Photos
  • Crime
  • Drama
  • Thriller
An ex-prize fighter turned New Jersey longshoreman struggles to stand up to his corrupt union bosses, including his older brother, as he starts to connect with the grieving sister of one of ... Read allAn ex-prize fighter turned New Jersey longshoreman struggles to stand up to his corrupt union bosses, including his older brother, as he starts to connect with the grieving sister of one of the syndicate's victims.An ex-prize fighter turned New Jersey longshoreman struggles to stand up to his corrupt union bosses, including his older brother, as he starts to connect with the grieving sister of one of the syndicate's victims.
IMDb RATING
8.1/10
153K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
3,090
98
  • Director
    • Elia Kazan
  • Writers
    • Budd Schulberg(screenplay)
    • Malcolm Johnson(suggested by articles by)
    • Robert Siodmak(uncredited)
  • Stars
    • Marlon Brando
    • Karl Malden
    • Lee J. Cobb
Top credits
  • Director
    • Elia Kazan
  • Writers
    • Budd Schulberg(screenplay)
    • Malcolm Johnson(suggested by articles by)
    • Robert Siodmak(uncredited)
  • Stars
    • Marlon Brando
    • Karl Malden
    • Lee J. Cobb
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 379User reviews
    • 166Critic reviews
    • 91Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
  • Top rated movie #178
    • Won 8 Oscars
      • 30 wins & 9 nominations total

    Videos1

    On the Waterfront: The Criterion Collection
    Trailer 1:36
    On the Waterfront: The Criterion Collection

    Photos159

    Marlon Brando in On the Waterfront (1954)
    Marlon Brando in On the Waterfront (1954)
    Marlon Brando in On the Waterfront (1954)
    Marlon Brando in On the Waterfront (1954)
    Marlon Brando and Eva Marie Saint in On the Waterfront (1954)
    Marlon Brando and Eva Marie Saint in On the Waterfront (1954)
    "On The Waterfront" Marlon Brando, Rod Steiger 1954 Columbia
    "On The Waterfront" Marlon Brando, Eva Marie Saint 1954 Columbia
    "On The Waterfront" Marlon Brando 1954 Columbia
    "On The Waterfront" Marlon Brando 1954 Columbia
    "On The Waterfront" Karl Malden, Marlon Brando, Eva Marie Saint 1954 Columbia
    Marlon Brando in "On The Waterfront" 1954 Columbia

    Top cast

    Edit
    Marlon Brando
    Marlon Brando
    • Terry Malloyas Terry Malloy
    Karl Malden
    Karl Malden
    • Father Barryas Father Barry
    Lee J. Cobb
    Lee J. Cobb
    • Johnny Friendlyas Johnny Friendly
    Rod Steiger
    Rod Steiger
    • Charley Malloyas Charley Malloy
    Pat Henning
    Pat Henning
    • Kayo Duganas Kayo Dugan
    Leif Erickson
    Leif Erickson
    • Gloveras Glover
    James Westerfield
    James Westerfield
    • Big Macas Big Mac
    Tony Galento
    • Truckas Truck
    Tami Mauriello
    • Tillioas Tillio
    John F. Hamilton
    • 'Pop' Doyleas 'Pop' Doyle
    • (as John Hamilton)
    John Heldabrand
    • Mottas Mott
    Rudy Bond
    Rudy Bond
    • Mooseas Moose
    Don Blackman
    • Lukeas Luke
    Arthur Keegan
    • Jimmyas Jimmy
    Abe Simon
    • Barneyas Barney
    Eva Marie Saint
    Eva Marie Saint
    • Edie Doyleas Edie Doyle
    Martin Balsam
    Martin Balsam
    • Gilletteas Gillette
    • (uncredited)
    Dan Bergin
    • Sidneyas Sidney
    • (uncredited)
    • Director
      • Elia Kazan
    • Writers
      • Budd Schulberg(screenplay) (based upon an original story by)
      • Malcolm Johnson(suggested by articles by)
      • Robert Siodmak(uncredited)
    • All cast & crew
    • See more cast details at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      As part of his contract, Marlon Brando only worked until 4:00 every day and then would leave to go see his analyst. Brando's mother had recently died and the conflicted young actor was in therapy to resolve his issues with his parents. Interestingly, for the film's classic scene between Rod Steiger and Brando in the back of the cab, all of Steiger's close-ups were filmed after Brando had left for the day, so Brando's lines were read by one of the crew members. For many years Steiger, who had actually stayed during Brando's close-ups to help him put in a better performance, remained very bitter that Brando didn't return the favor, and often mentioned it in interviews.
    • Goofs
      When Father Barry (Karl Malden) gets hit in the head with a beer can, he gets a cut on his forehead, which bleeds visibly in the scene. In subsequent scenes, there is no sign of the cut or of a bandage to show that he had been hurt.
    • Quotes

      Charlie: Look, kid, I - how much you weigh, son? When you weighed one hundred and sixty-eight pounds you were beautiful. You coulda been another Billy Conn, and that skunk we got you for a manager, he brought you along too fast.

      Terry: It wasn't him, Charley, it was you. Remember that night in the Garden you came down to my dressing room and you said, "Kid, this ain't your night. We're going for the price on Wilson." You remember that? "This ain't your night"! My night! I coulda taken Wilson apart! So what happens? He gets the title shot outdoors on the ballpark and what do I get? A one-way ticket to Palooka-ville! You was my brother, Charley, you shoulda looked out for me a little bit. You shoulda taken care of me just a little bit so I wouldn't have to take them dives for the short-end money.

      Charlie: Oh I had some bets down for you. You saw some money.

      Terry: You don't understand. I coulda had class. I coulda been a contender. I coulda been somebody, instead of a bum, which is what I am, let's face it. It was you, Charley.

    • Crazy credits
      Opening credits are shown over a bamboo-type mat background.
    • Alternate versions
      Criterion Collection Blu-ray Disc release exhibits the film in 1.66:1, which is widely regarded to be the "correct" aspect ratio for the film. However, a second disc includes the film in 1.33:1 AND 1.85:1, so that viewers can watch the film in the different ratios.
    • Connections
      Edited into Un Américain nommé Kazan (2018)
    • Soundtracks
      Here Comes the Bride
      (uncredited)

      Written by Richard Wagner

    User reviews379

    Review
    Top review
    9/10
    A classic for all the right reasons
    Watching On The Waterfront nowadays, two scenes stand out head and shoulders above the rest. First is the impassioned speech by Father Barry (Karl Malden) to the gathered dock workers in the hull of a ship where he tries to rally them against the mobsters running their lives. Second is the confrontation between Terry and Charlie Malloy (Marlon Brando and Rod Steiger) in the back of a taxi which ends in one brother pointing a gun at the other and Brando's now legendary "contender speech." Both of them are sequences where the characters do nothing but talk but each is a fine example of what makes On The Waterfront the undeniable classic it is; acting, scripting, cinematography, music, everything fits into one cohesive whole and the end result is a welcome addition to any film collection.

    The story here concerns Terry Malloy, a New York shipyard worker who finds his conscience bothering him when one of his friends is murdered. Terry at first is a tough guy with a grim outlook ("you know my philosophy on life, give it to 'em before they give to you") who despite his inner turmoil refuses to confess anything to the Police as it would make him a "rat." However, the arrival of Malden's headstrong Preacher and the victim's innocent sister Edie (Eva Marie Saint in her debut appearance) throws his deaf and dumb world into chaos. Soon, Terry finds himself falling for Edie and the Preacher's words hit home, leaving the angry young dockworker to question what's really right. The mob meanwhile aren't too happy about Terry's UNHEALTHY RELATIONSHIP and begin to pile on the pressure, especially his older brother Charlie who's torn between loyalty to his boss and looking out for his younger sibling. Before anyone can put a lid on things, the dockyard becomes a very tense place to be.

    Brando of course puts his heart and soul into his performance. Terry by his very nature isn't one to carry his heart on his sleeve and so the great Method Actor is left to convey his turmoil through body language alone. It is a testament to how good he is that you can tell exactly what Terry is feeling even though he hardly ever expresses it verbally. Instead his shoulders hunch with resigned indignation and his eyes spark with anger, Brando playing the part so well he more or less disappears into the character completely. While he may have taken a lot of the credit however, he is far from the only strong presence in the film as Karl Malden's rock hard Preacher is just as compelling, his depiction of the dignified man of Christ who isn't afraid to drink beer and smoke cigarettes with the Wharf rats being a refreshingly positive portrayal of a Catholic leader. Eva Marie Saint meanwhile puts in a convincing portrayal of Edie, but she is hamstrung a little by some old fashioned writing. Her pursuit of her brother's murderers give her some powerful moments but there are a couple of instances where it becomes all too clear that the part was written by a man. However, she still gives us one of the most touching moments in the film, a confrontation with Terry where most of their chat is disrupted by a tug horn that is achingly sad despite the absence of dialogue.

    Acting is only one half of the equation of course and needless to say, the story remains constantly gripping. The murder that opens the film leaves an instant grip on the viewer's attention and as Terry spirals further into an intricate web of half truths, things get incredibly dark. The New York tenement blocks that tower over the proceedings provide an imposing sense of claustrophobia while the rooftops are a smoke laden jungle of chimney stacks and TV aerials. However, if you look closely it becomes apparent that the crew still had some fun with the material and there is some subtle humour to be had - a wedding party degenerating into a brawl and a bar full of panicked customers emptying into the streets followed by a shot of one isolated individual desperately jumping into the bathroom.

    All in all therefore, On The Waterfront is a film that is thoroughly deserving of its reputation. Brando excels in his role and heads up a highly talented cast giving it their all. Most of all though, it's an engaging and captivating story of urban paranoia, filled with tough guys spitting out slang in barking New York accents. Think you're a big shot, do ya? Huh? Well do us all a favour and check this one out. Ah enough a youse guys, ged outta here.
    helpful•58
    9
    • ExpendableMan
    • Mar 31, 2008

    FAQ12

    • What is 'On the Waterfront' about?
    • Is "On the Waterfront" based on a book?
    • When do the events in "On the Waterfront" take place?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • June 22, 1954 (Japan)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Bottom of the River
    • Filming locations
      • St Peter and St Paul Church - 400 Hudson Street, Hoboken, New Jersey, USA
    • Production company
      • Horizon Pictures
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $910,000 (estimated)
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 48 minutes
    • Color
      • Black and White
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.33 : 1
      • 1.66 : 1
      • 1.85 : 1

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