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Marlon Brando, Karl Malden, Lee J Cobb, Rod Steiger, Pat Henning ... see more see more... , Martin Balsam , Eva Marie Saint , James Westerfield , Tony Galento , Leif Erickson , John Hamilton , John Heldabrand , Rudy Bond , Don Blackman , Arthur Keegan , Abe Simon , Barry Macollum , Mike O'Dowd , Fred Gwynne , Anne Hegira , Pat Hingle , Nehemiah Persoff , Rebecca Sands , Tami Mauriello

This classic story of Mob informers was based on a number of true stories and filmed on location in and around the docks of New York and New Jersey. Mob-connected union boss Johnny Friendly (Lee J. Co... read more read more...bb) rules the waterfront with an iron fist. The police know that he's been responsible for a number of murders, but witnesses play deaf and dumb ("plead D & D"). Washed-up boxer Terry Malloy (Marlon Brando) has had an errand-boy job because of the influence of his brother Charley, a crooked union lawyer (Rod Steiger). Witnessing one of Friendly's rub-outs, Terry is willing to keep his mouth shut until he meets the dead dockworker's sister, Edie (Eva Marie Saint). "Waterfront priest" Father Barry (Karl Malden) tells Terry that Edie's brother was killed because he was going to testify against boss Friendly before the crime commission. Because he could have intervened, but didn't, Terry feels somewhat responsible for the death. When Father Barry receives a beating from Friendly's goons, Terry is persuaded to cooperate with the commission. Featuring Brando's famous "I coulda been a contendah" speech, On the Waterfront has often been seen as an allegory of "naming names" against suspected Communists during the anti-Communist investigations of the 1950s. Director Elia Kazan famously informed on suspected Communists before a government committee -- unlike many of his colleagues, some of whom went to prison for refusing to "name names" and many more of whom were blacklisted from working in the film industry for many years to come -- and Budd Schulberg's screenplay has often been read as an elaborate defense of the informer's position. On the Waterfront won Oscars for Best Picture, Best Director, Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Actor for Brando, and Best Supporting Actress for Saint. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

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94% liked it

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100% liked it

50 critics

Unrated, 1 hr. 48 min.

Directed by: Elia Kazan

Release Date: July 28, 1954

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DVD Release Date: October 23, 2001

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Stats: 3,240 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (3,240)

  • danperry17
    October 29, 2011
    danperry17
    Long ago, the first time I saw this movie, I promised that I would have more to say after a second watching. That came and went, and still, II don't know what to say that hasn't been said. It's good on so many levels, in fact, that I might just not know what to say at all. A sing... read moreular, compelling film that everyone should see and see again. Maybe I'll break it down more after a third time...
  • bbcfloridabound
    September 29, 2011
    bbcfloridabound
    A huge early Marlon Brando Movie, at least I think its huge. Lots of stars in this one. Lee Cobb, Rod Steiger, Martin Balsam, James Westerfield, and Karl Malden. All the guys needed from the fifties to make a good mob story. Brando plays Terry Malloy who sets up a guy to be kille... read mored by the union mob before he testifies in court. Terry falls in love with his sister, the beautiful Eve Marie Saint, so is he going soft, will he testifies against the mob. Watch to find out, excellent acting by all. 5 stars
  • Tomassgringo
    March 13, 2011
    Tomassgringo
    I see why Marlon Brando was so beloved! Great movie and glad I finally got around to watch it!
  • mjgildea
    January 2, 2011
    mjgildea
    If this isn't a perfect movie, I don't know what is. On the Waterfront spares any glossiness that other classic Hollywood movies were pitching and just drenches the audience in humanity. This movie's characters' likability is merely incidental and despite what you may think of El... read moreia Kazan, he knocked this one out of the park. The cast is amazing and everything just came together with this one. Absolutely essential...
  • ajv2688
    November 8, 2010
    ajv2688
    A brilliant movie from a great director and starring a perfect cast. Every scene is full of drama, intrigue, and excitement. The story is based on true events too. I highly recommend this movie.
  • MrMarakai
    July 17, 2010
    MrMarakai
    An absolute classic and one that is still revered and endlessly quoted to this day, with one scene in particular "I coulda been a contender..." that has went down in cinema history. Unfortunately, there was some more dark history behind it all, from director Elia Kazan and writer... read more Budd Schulberg.
    Terry Malloy (Marlon Brando) works on the docks run by corrupt union boss Johnny Friendly (Lee J. Cobb). As long as everyone does what Friendly tells them, then there are no problems. However, Terry witnesses the murder of a young man who crosses Friendly and can't quite let his conscience ignore it, feeling the need to testify against the local criminal and bring him to justice, despite causing more trouble for himself in the process.
    It's hard to be subjective in my opinion of this film in the knowledge that writer Budd Schulberg and director Elia Kazan had been informants during the 1950's "Communist Witch-Hunt" and named several of their friends to right-wing senator Joseph McCarthy as being involved in "Un-American activities" and destroyed peoples lives and careers in the process. This is a major problem in the telling of this story, as it is obvious that both Schulberg and Kazan were justifying their deplorable actions through the "heroic" character of Terry Malloy.
    Despite this, however, there is no denying the talent involved in this film. Brando finally bagged a deserving Oscar for his role as angst ridden ex-pugalist Terry, with great support from Rod Steiger as his conflicted brother Charley, Karl Malden as the local priest and voice of reason Father Barry and a snarling Lee J. Cobb as union boss Johnny Friendly. It's all beautifully shot by Kazan and despite his personal exploits (like Roman Polanski), there is no denying the man has talent but I just can't bring myself to give it five stars or forgive his audacity at "naming names", blatantly showing no remorse for it and passing it off as entertainment.
    Kazan has crafted a wonderful film with superb performances but a very dubious message throughout,
  • ythelastman89
    December 29, 2009
    ythelastman89
    A great performance piece from Marlon Brando. It is a highly entertaining and endearing film, with a great story and social commentary on crime and corruption. It has a beautiful landscape, and a unique film experience. It crosses genres quite flawlessly, having a lot of film noi... read morer techniques to go along with it.
  • DerekA101
    March 3, 2009
    DerekA101
    "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."

    Classic film on the AFI top 100 list (#19).

    Released in 1954, On the Waterfront is just as powerful today. Brilliant... read morely crafted by Elia Kazan, this film tells the story of an ex-Prize Fighter (Terry Malloy played by the great Marlon Brando) who works for a corrupt gang leader named Johnny Friendly. When a dock worker speaks out against Friendly, Terry and some other thugs are sent out to silence the snitch. By chance, Terry meets the guy's sister, and a forbidden relationship ensues that will change life on the waterfront forever.

    Marlon Brando gives a breakout performance here in what is probably his greatest performance of all time.

    Even if you haven't seen this film, you have probably heard the "I could been a contenda" speech which speaks volumes about it's everlasting impact through time.

    On the Waterfront justifiably dominated the Oscars in 1955 winning 8 Awards including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor (Brando), and Best Actress.

    A gritty tale of revenge and relevance... the little guy sticking it to the big guy. Often brutal to watch, but On the Waterfront is a film that everyone should see.

    "Hey, you wanna hear my philosophy of life? Do it to him before he does it to you."
  • tsigur
    February 11, 2009
    tsigur
    I coulda been somebody. I could been a contender. All hail Elia Kazan and Marlon Brando. Before DeNiro and Scorcese, this was the director/actor team that set the standard. Brando is what every living actor wants to be in this film, a complete performance with nothing holding bac... read morek. And this is another example that Karl Malden is one of the most underrated actors of all time. The entire cast is great. (If I had a time machine, I would constantly cheat on my wife because I am extremely attracted to the women of the golden age of cinema). If you haven't seen this movie, you are missing a cornerstone.
  • binky013
    January 7, 2009
    binky013
    Shouldn't everybody care about everybody else?

    When that philosophy comes up against the "I only care about me" philosophy, and especially if love's involved, you know something has gotta give. Not my all-time favorite Brando, but it's hard to knock the greatness of this mo

    ... read morevie.

    Possibly Lee J. Cobb's most memorable role. Rod Steiger is excellent in this.

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Critic Reviews

February 18, 2009
TIME Magazine

On the Waterfront has a script that is a work of love and shows it. Full Review

Variety Staff
January 30, 2008
Variety Staff, Variety

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... Full Review

Jonathan Rosenbaum
December 12, 2006
Jonathan Rosenbaum, Chicago Reader

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. Full Review

Colin Covert
March 3, 2005
Colin Covert, Minneapolis Star Tribune

You miss this, you're buyin' a one-way ticket to Palookaville. Full Review

Kenneth Turan
December 23, 2004
Kenneth Turan, Los Angeles Times

Indisputably one of the great American films, its power undiminished. Full Review

Ty Burr
December 17, 2004
Ty Burr, Boston Globe

So when does it hit you that you're in the presence of movie greatness? Full Review

J. Hoberman
November 2, 2004
J. Hoberman, Village Voice

It is thanks to Brando that this posthumous Popular Front classic is a heart-clutcher from beginning to end. Full Review

A.H. Weiler
May 20, 2003
A.H. Weiler, New York Times

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

James Berardinelli
April 25, 2002
James Berardinelli, ReelViews

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

Roger Ebert
January 1, 2000
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

It is still possible to feel the power of the film and of Brando and Kazan, who changed American movie acting forever. Full Review

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Facts

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    • 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?
    • Father Barry: Some people think the Crucifixion only took place on Calvary. They better wise up! Taking Joey Doyle's life to stop him from testifying is a crucifixion. And dropping a sling on Kayo Dugan because he was ready to spill his guts tomorrow, that's a crucifixion. And every time the Mob puts the pressure on a good man, tries to stop him from doing his duty as a citizen, it's a crucifixion. And anybody who sits around and lets it happen, keeps silent about something he knows that happened, shares the guilt of it just as much as the Roman soldier who pierced the flesh of our Lord to see if he was dead.
    • Terry Malloy: 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.
    • Johnny Friendly: Stop breathin' that clam juice on me.
    • Father Barry: You want to know what's wrong with our waterfront? It's the love of a lousy buck. It's making love of a buck - -the cushy job - -more important than the love of man!
    • Terry Malloy: You don't understand! I could'a had class. I could'a been a contender. I could've been somebody, instead of a bum, which is what I am, let's face it.
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On the Waterfront Trivia

  • What movie with Marlon Brando did he say the famous line "I coulda been a contender"  Answer »
  • One of the greatest quotes and scenes in movie history. Name that Movie.  Answer »
  • In which film is Marlon Brando beaten to shambles in the end of it?   Answer »
  • Top 100 Movie Quotes Which 1954 movie has the quote "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."?   Answer »
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