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Movies / On DVD / On the Waterfront
On the Waterfront

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On the Waterfront (1954)

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Reviews Counted:47

Fresh:47

Rotten:0

Average Rating:9/10

Consensus: Considered one of the best American films of all time, Elia Kazan's powerfully sympathetic portrait of working-class Americans boasts a paradigm-shifting performance from Marlon Brando, as well as effectively realistic cinematography and riveting, timeless themes. Hard-hitting, compassionate, and without any significant flaws, On the Waterfront is required viewing.

Runtime: 1 hr 48 mins

Genre: Dramas

Synopsis: Marlon Brando is Terry Malloy, an ex-prize fighter struggling against union corruption along the New York waterfront, in Elia Kazan's film classic. Malloy's battle takes him all the way to the... Marlon Brando is Terry Malloy, an ex-prize fighter struggling against union corruption along the New York waterfront, in Elia Kazan's film classic. Malloy's battle takes him all the way to the witness stand, where he finds himself testifying against union leaders. The film was Kazan's response to his decision to turn in the names of his Hollywood contemporaries during Senator Joe McCarthy's anti-Communism hearings. Lee J. Cobb, Rod Steiger, and Malden were all nominated for the Best Supporting Actor Oscars. Academy Award Nominations: 12. Academy Awards: 8, including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor--Marlon Brando, Best Story and Screenplay. [More]

Starring: Marlon Brando, Karl Malden, Rod Steiger, Eva Marie Saint

Starring: Marlon Brando, Karl Malden, Rod Steiger, Eva Marie Saint, Lee J. Cobb, Leif Erickson, John Hamilton, Nehemiah Persoff, James Westerfield, Rudy Bond, Fred Gwynne, Martin Balsam, Pat Hingle, Barry Macollum, Tiger Joe Marsh, Pat Henning, Tony Galento, Tami Mauriello, Don Blackman, Arthur Keegan, Abe Simon, Jere Delaney, Thomas Handley, Anne Hegira

Director: Elia Kazan

Director: Elia Kazan
Screenwriter: Budd Schulberg
Composer: Leonard Bernstein
Producer: Sam Spiegel

[See More Credits]

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Release:

Oct 23, 2001

No Details Exist
 
 

Reviews for On the Waterfront

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21 - 40 (sorted by date)
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Muscular, powerful human drama.

comment Comment
06/05/04
Rich Cline
Rich Cline
Shadows on the Wall

Religion and social action finally meet in Hollywood… a great film for many reasons, but its most enduring asset may be the young Brando.

Full Review Source: Decent Films Guide | comment Comment
05/31/04
Steven D. Greydanus
Steven D. Greydanus
Decent Films Guide

A hard-hitting but pretentious melodrama about union corruption on the New York docks.

Full Review Source: Ozus' World Movie Reviews | comment Comment
05/24/04
Dennis Schwartz
Dennis Schwartz
Ozus' World Movie Reviews

No review available.

comment Comment
11/07/03
Ryan Cracknell
Ryan Cracknell
Movie Views

Extremely polished and featuring another powerhouse effort from Brando.

comment Comment
09/29/03
Gabe Leibowitz
Gabe Leibowitz
eCinemaCenter.com

It is all the more grim and hard-hitting because of the steel-gray look of cinematographer Kaufman's startling, neo-documentary approach.

Full Review Source: TV Guide's Movie Guide | comment Comment
07/30/03
TV Guide's Movie Guide

There's something uncomfortably humbling about reviewing a movie that is textbook-perfect.

Full Review Source: Reel.com | comment Comment
07/25/03
Sarah Chauncey
Sarah Chauncey
Reel.com

Kazan's classic golden age drama remains a rousing and riveting piece of cinema for anyone who appreciates intriguing characterizations. This legendary story is more than just a hopeful contender.

comment Comment
05/23/03
Frank Ochieng
Frank Ochieng
TheWorldJournal.com

An uncommonly powerful, exciting and imaginative use of the screen by gifted professionals.

Full Review Source: New York Times | comment Comment
05/20/03
A.H. Weiler
A.H. Weiler
New York Times

No review available.

comment Comment
04/10/03
Jeffrey Westhoff
Jeffrey Westhoff
Northwest Herald (Crystal Lake, IL)

No review available.

comment Comment
03/30/03
Beth Accomando
Beth Accomando
KPBS.org

No review available.

comment Comment
03/11/03
Robert Roten
Robert Roten
Laramie Movie Scope

What's most amazing is to realize that the most important moments of this is something that director Kazan allowed the actors to improvise. Some of the best scenes, including the "contender" scene is all from the heart.

Full Review Source: Zap2it.com | comment Comment
11/01/02
Michael Szymanski
Michael Szymanski
Zap2it.com

Marlon Brando delivers one of his strongest performances here as Terry Maloy, the flawed hero of this riveting drama.

Full Review Source: Montreal Film Journal | comment Comment
09/10/02
Kevin N. Laforest
Kevin N. Laforest
Montreal Film Journal

Brando and Kazan achieve career bests in this alternately thrilling and moving drama.

comment Comment
09/03/02
Chuck Rudolph
Chuck Rudolph
Matinee Magazine

Um belo filme que deve ser visto.

Full Review Source: Cinema em Cena | comment Comment
05/31/02
Pablo Villaca
Pablo Villaca
Cinema em Cena

One of the best acted efforts to come out of Hollywood during the 1950s.

Full Review Source: ReelViews | comment Comment
04/25/02
James Berardinelli
James Berardinelli
ReelViews
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

This movie contrasts two conflicting ways of looking at the world and especially at responsibility.

Full Review Source: Movie Mom at Yahoo! Movies | comment Comment
04/20/02
Nell Minow
Nell Minow
Movie Mom at Yahoo! Movies

A powerful film, featuring one of the greatest performances you will ever see.

Full Review Source: Apollo Guide | comment Comment
10/30/01
Brian Webster
Brian Webster
Apollo Guide

requisite viewing for any student of the art; it is among the best American films

Full Review Source: Film Freak Central | comment Comment
10/29/01
Walter Chaw
Walter Chaw
Film Freak Central
 
 
21 - 40 (sorted by date)
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