On the Waterfront (1954)
TOMATOMETER
AUDIENCE SCORE
Critic Consensus: With his electrifying performance in Elia Kazan's thought-provoking, expertly constructed melodrama, Marlon Brando redefined the possibilities of acting for film and helped permanently alter the cinematic landscape.
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Cast
as Terry Malloy
as Edie Doyle
as Father Barry
as Johnny Friendly
as Charley Malloy
as "Kayo" Dugan
as Glover
as Big Mac
as Truck
as Tillio
as Pop Doyle
as Mott
as Moose
as Luke
as Jimmy
as Barney
as J.P.
as Specs
as Gillette
as Slim
as Mrs. Collins
as Tommy
as Police Stenographer
as Mrs. Collins
as Bartender
as Cab Driver
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Critic Reviews for On the Waterfront
All Critics (62) | Top Critics (13) | Fresh (61) | Rotten (1) | DVD (5)
This brutal, violently realistic drama, set against the sordid background of the New York waterfront, packs a terrific wallop that results in topflight entertainment.
Kazan over-emphasized the last sequence in the film, but on the whole, his fine direction shows in the strength and power of the dramatic action on the screen.
On the Waterfront has a script that is a work of love and shows it.
Under Elia Kazan's direction, Marlon Brando puts on a spectacular show, giving a fascinating, multi-faceted performance as the uneducated dock walloper and former pug, who is basically a softie with a special affection for his rooftop covey of pigeons.
It's hard to deny that Marlon Brando's performance as a dock worker and ex-fighter who finally decides to rat on his gangster brother (Rod Steiger) is pretty terrific.
It's pretty electrifying.
Audience Reviews for On the Waterfront
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.
Super Reviewer
All these years later Elia Kazan's film about mob corruption in the dock workers' unions is still poignant and thrilling. Marlon Brando plays ex-boxer and mob front man Terry Malloy. He falls for Edie Doyle (Saint), a dock worker's daughter, and an outspoken opponent of the mob's hold on the workers. The film is an indictment of mob ties, but also highlights the mob's ability to corrupt the innocent, and turn those who have little or no options. Terry has been taken in because his brother (Steiger) has no confidence in him, which turns him into a bum. He finally stands up for himself, and in the process finds the love of Edie Doyle, and fights for the many workers who are disadvantaged. This is a beautifully fraught film that yields some of the most emotionally deep performances of Saint or Brando's careers. This is a portrait of Old Hollywood, a film that pushes political boundaries, and a film that is just, simply amazing by any standard.
Super Reviewer
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!
Super Reviewer
On the Waterfront Quotes
| Terry Malloy: | You don't understand! I coulda had class. I coulda been a contender. I could've been somebody, instead of a bum, which is what I am. |
| Charley Malloy: | You know, it's time to think about getting some ambition. |
| Terry Malloy: | I always figured I'd live a bit longer without it. |
| Charley Malloy: | You're getting on. You're pushing 30. You know, it's time to think about getting some ambition. |
| Terry Malloy: | I always figured I'd live a bit longer without it. |
| Terry Malloy: | If I spill, my life ain't worth a nickel. |
| Father Barry: | And how much is your soul worth if you don't? |