On the Waterfront

On the Waterfront Videos

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On the Waterfront: Official Clip - I Coulda Been a Contender

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On the Waterfront: Official Clip - This Is My Church

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On the Waterfront: Official Clip - Am I Gonna See You Again?

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On the Waterfront: Official Clip - Present from Uncle Johnny

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On the Waterfront: Official Clip - Terry Asks Edie Out

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On the Waterfront: Official Clip - Let's Go to Work!

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On the Waterfront: Official Clip - They Got Charley

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On the Waterfront: Official Clip - Terry's Conscience

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On the Waterfront: Trailer 1

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On the Waterfront Photos

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Cast

Marlon Brando
as Terry Malloy

Eva Marie Saint
as Edie Doyle

Karl Malden
as Father Barry

Lee J. Cobb
as Johnny Friendly

Rod Steiger
as Charley Malloy

Pat Henning
as "Kayo" Dugan

Leif Erickson
as Glover

James Westerfield
as Big Mac

Tony Galento
as Truck

Tami Mauriello
as Tillio

John F. Hamilton
as Pop Doyle

John Heldabrand
as Mott

Rudy Bond
as Moose

Don Blackman
as Luke

Arthur Keegan
as Jimmy

Abe Simon
as Barney

Barry Macollum
as J.P.

Mike O'Dowd
as Specs

Martin Balsam
as Gillette

Fred Gwynne
as Slim

Anne Hegira
as Mrs. Collins

Thomas Handley
as Tommy

Rebecca Sands
as Police Stenographer

Jere Delaney

Ann Hegira
as Mrs. Collins

Pat Hingle
as Bartender

Nehemiah Persoff
as Cab Driver

Tiger Joe Marsh

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News & Interviews for On the Waterfront

Critic Reviews for On the Waterfront

Audience Reviews for On the Waterfront

• May 09, 2016

  'On the Waterfront' is a tour de force that really has it all - a great script, outstanding acting, and great direction. It tells the story of a group of longshoremen who are being coerced into silence by their corrupt and mob-connected union bosses. These are tough guys who work backbreaking jobs and have a code of not ratting out others. It's this ethic combined with the threat of being denied work or killed that keeps them all in line. We're sucked in immediately when in the opening minutes of the film there is a brutal murder to silence one of them, in which Marlon Brando finds himself unwittingly an accomplice. Brando is absolutely brilliant in this movie, and it boggles my mind that he considered his performance to be subpar after he saw it. He is a genius in the big moments and in the small ones he creates. Karl Malden is also outstanding as the priest who tries to rally the workers to stand up for themselves, and Lee J. Cobb and Rod Steiger turn in strong performances as the mob boss and one of his lieutenants (and Brando's brother), respectively. It's a shame that these three were all nominated for best supporting actor but split the vote so that none of them would win, though the film won 8 others, including Best Picture. The scene in the taxicab with the brothers, where Steiger implores and even threatens Brando to remain silent, is one of the best in movie history - not just because of the fantastic script, but also because of Brando's acting. He recalls having to take a dive in a fight for a mob, and when his brother blames his manager for trying to bring him along too fast as a young boxer, running his career, he responds: "It wasn't him Charlie, it was you. Remember that night in the Garden, you came down into my dressing room and 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 could have taken Wilson apart. So what happens, he gets the title shot outdoors in a ballpark and what do I get, a one-way ticket to palookaville. You was my brother, Charlie, 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: "I had some bets down for you, you saw some money." "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, Charlie." That scene of being let down by a loved one is so poignant that on its own it makes the movie worth watching, but it's rock solid throughout, even if a little on the dramatic side at the ending. Kazan provided great direction with scenery that looked realistic because it was, having been shot in Hoboken with many of the extras real longshoremen, and on rooftops with aerials and dovecotes. I absolutely HATE the idea that Kazan made the film in part to justify his own testimony to congress during the McCarthy years, but it's a sad fact about the backstory of the film. With that said, I have to put that aside and give it credit for being a great, great film. Aside from the taxicab scene, there are a couple of others that give me goosebumps every time I see them, one of which is Malden calling out the bosses in a speech despite being threatened and having garbage thrown at him ("Every time the mob puts pressure on a good man and stops him from doing his duty as a citizen - it's a crucifixion!"). This is a tough, gritty movie, about the little man overcoming intimidation to stand up for himself against evil. The theme is timeless, and the movie creates timeless, immortal moments.
  Antonius B Super Reviewer
• May 08, 2016

  Kazan's self-defense for naming names to the House Committee on Un-American Activities (HUAC) in 1952 (and his apologia for denunciation) is a gritty combo of realistic crime drama, romance and character study with a stellar central performance by Marlon Brando.
  Carlos M Super Reviewer
• Apr 27, 2016

  4.5-5. Masterful and has a very real sense to it. Superb writing, direction, acting.
  

  Kyle M Super Reviewer
• Jun 03, 2013

  Marlon Brando steals the show with a pulse-pounding performance as Terry, a man who has never been trusted ever since his departure from world-class fighting. He is now living on the streets with no real home, falling for a woman and trying to earn respect from everyone else. As this woman's brother dies, she seeks Terry for help after realizing he has nothing left to lose. There are very tight moments of dialogue and the chemistry between each character interaction is phenomenal. This is one of the best crime films I have ever seen, because instead of focussing on the blood and guts of the real crime, it focusses on the mystery of it and the subtlety of the aftermath and recovery/revenge. "On the Waterfront" is brilliantly acted, stupendously directed, and filmed to perfection. I Love this film!
  

  KJ P Super Reviewer

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