On the Waterfront
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Videos & Photos
- Three Reasons Criterion Trailer for On the Waterfront (01:35)
Movie Info & Cast
Synopsis
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.
Cast
- Marlon Brando
- Karl Malden
- Lee J. Cobb
- Rod Steiger
- Pat Henning
- Leif Erickson
- James Westerfield
- Tony Galento
- Tami Mauriello
- John F. Hamilton
Letterboxd User Reviews
4.2
224.0K
111.9K
62.2K
- Jul 5, 2019
me to my reflection in the microwave glass as i heat up vegan mac & cheese at two o’clock in the morning: i could’ve had class. i could’ve been a contender. i could’ve been somebody. instead of a bum. which is what i am.
eelyOct 24, 2020Very powerful. “And what do I get? A one-way ticket to Palookaville.” My politics are that it’s okay to rat on your union boss if he is corrupt and murderous, but it’s not okay to rat on your former colleagues to the HUAC when you are already an Academy Award-winning…
Will SloanMay 10, 2020Brando's performance really did live up to my expectations. Not only ahead of its time but also capable of surpassing dramatic performances today. I can feel the rage boiling underneath this film which is why I see it staying with me for awhile. The ending felt much more…
Karsten - Jun 11, 2026
Soulquaking transcendence meets Brando’s method-mumbling, and Kazan sets out to show his own self-defense argument that can be interpreted in different ways..... maybe. So first of all, Kazan’s “choral voice,” where the core of the film perhaps ultimately lands, is an…
werskuMay 14, 2020marlon brando this, marlon brando that, but eva marie saint absolutely kills it in her first film role
Sara ClementsMay 28, 2020marlon brando's eyebrow slit. that's it that's the review.
Holli - Mar 14, 2023
Sort of sucks that this is so good.
Branson ReeseAug 28, 2020"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." Elia Kazan's ON THE WATERFRONT is a bonafide classic and it still holds up. A powerful morality tale and a blatant look inside a corrupted…
NakulFeb 25, 2022“On the Waterfront” is the moment that Elia Kazan stood up and exorcised his demons. But one man’s devils are another man’s martyrs. And Kazan, a man by any other name, might also be what another would call a rat. Kazan, though, did not see himself as a man, or a rat. He…
theriverjordan
Queue Community Reviews
87%
Community 2,247
Top Reviews
- RayRay dislikedOn the Waterfront
1 of the worst movies ever. Some people believe the earth is flat, I believe anyone that likes this movie is mentally ill. Oh I’m just a sweet girl named Edie! I fell in love with this boy, but unfortunately he got my brother killed, then he broke into my house&grabbed me I❤️him
Platypus Lord likedOn the Waterfront👍👍 Really great story, with great script and performances. The setting is very well-realized, with themes of courage being a beacon in a place of murky morals, and Edie also being an optimistic beacon in a dark place. Fr. Barry is awesome and a great inspiration. I think, despite it being a…
Meg lovedOn the WaterfrontBest Picture Oscar winner 1955 (27th Academy Awards) My Rating: 9.5/10 Nominated for 12 oscars and won 8 and rightly so. Deserves all the hype! Kept my attention from beginning to end. I know the director has some haters for what he did but this movie is one of a kind. 👏🏻
- MovieDaddy likedOn the Waterfront
The movie itself is a classic, mobster sensation but let’s be real… this is simply a showcase for the tour de force that is Marlon Brandi’s performance. Top five acting displays of all-time. Classic cinefiles will cherish this brilliant piece of cinematic history.
Corey Nicoll likedOn the Waterfrontlittle slow to start with, didn't understand the plot at first. halfway started to pick up, also understand the characters a lot more by the end, I really enjoyed it and loved the music in it. the endearing was perfect, and you really felt for Terry.
Maya likedOn the WaterfrontGreat plot and interesting story, but I wasn’t a fan of the whole love subplot because it made no sense plus he treated her horribly especially when he literally broke into her house and forced a kiss upon her??? Everything else was great though.
- Eitan Koppelman dislikedOn the Waterfront
Not terrible but not good either. Plot was eh but execution wasn’t at all to my liking. Acting was pretty realistic and seemed like the actors were really in the situation which was respectable, but besides that, it was boring. 5 /10
David Mendoza lovedOn the WaterfrontI love to go back & rewatch this movie.. Thank you to Mr.Melillo my 10th grade English teacher who recommended this to me. “I could’ve been a contender.. a somebody” Brando was brilliant in this one!! 10/10 must watch Brando movie
James New lovedOn the WaterfrontMarlon Brando is insanely good in this film. The story is topical today and just proves how well it has aged. The story is poetic and plays out beautifully. It’s a war film in a non-military sense and is deeply affective.
Atom Users Reviews
Reviews
- TKTravis King
Metacritic
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.
Jonathan Rosenbaum
Chicago Reader
The acting and the best dialogue passages have an impact that has not dimmed; it is still possible to feel the power of the film and of Brando and Kazan, who changed American movie acting forever.
Roger Ebert
Chicago Sun-Times
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is On the Waterfront (1954)?
The movie is 1hr 48min long.
What's On the Waterfront (1954) about?
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.
Who's the cast of On the Waterfront (1954)?
- Marlon Brando as Terry Malloy
- 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
Who's the director behind On the Waterfront (1954)?
Elia Kazan directed On the Waterfront (1954).
Who produced On the Waterfront (1954)?
Sam Spiegel produced On the Waterfront (1954).
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