On the Waterfront (1954)

Directed by: Elia Kazan | 108 minutes | drama, romance, crime | Actors: Marlon Brando, Karl Malden, Lee J. Cobb, Eva Marie Saint, Rod Steiger, Pat Henning, Leif Erickson, James Westerfield, Tony Galento, Tami Mauriello, John F. Hamilton, John Heldabrand, Rudy Bond, Don Blackman, Arthur Keegan, Abe Simon

Director Elia Kazan was the most notable member of the Hollywood elite who appeared before “Communist fighter” Joseph McCarthy’s Senate committee in the 1950s, naming people who might have communist sympathies. Many of his colleagues then looked down on him. The film ‘On the Waterfront’, about a heroic snitch, is widely regarded as Kazan’s response to his critics. Betrayal is a central theme in this film, made in 1954. It would become a milestone in cinema history, thanks in part to the memorable performance of lead actor Marlon Brando.

Under pressure from his older and influential brother Charly (Rod Steiger), former prize fighter Terry Malloy (Brando) does the dirty work of corrupt ‘unionist’ Johnny Friendly (Lee J. Cobb). When people are killed, he begins to question the union’s working methods on New York’s rugged Waterfront. The brother of the girl he falls in love with, Edie Doyle (Eva Marie Saint) is one of the victims. When the local pastor, Father Barry (Karl Malden), clearly side with the people who rebel against the crook Johnny Friendly, his conscience gnaws even more and he wants to clean up.

‘On the Waterfront’ is one of the greatest classics of the 1950s. The story is based on Malcolm Johnson’s Pulitzer Prize winning series of articles (“Crime on the Waterfront”) and adapted into a screenplay by Bud Schulberg. Director Kazan had a formidable cast; all the actors put their best foot forward. As a result, both Brando and Eve Marie Saint (who played her first movie role!) were awarded an Oscar. Also supporting actors Malden (whose character was based on a real life rough pastor from the New York slum Hell’s Kitchen, Father John Corridan), Cobb and Steiger were nominated. In total, the film won no fewer than eight of those coveted images.

The role of Brando in particular is special, because he came up with a whole new kind of acting for this film; method acting. He is ideally suited for the role of Terry Malloy, as he is both macho and sensitive. Plus, one look from Brando is worth a thousand words. During the shooting of the scene where Terry walks through the park with Edie, actress Eva Marie Saint accidentally drops her glove. Brando picks it up, plays with it and even pulls it on. Only at the end of the scene does he return the glove. A beautiful act in itself, but when you consider that Brando improvised it all makes it all the more remarkable. It depicts the brilliant actor, who previously successfully collaborated with Kazan in ‘A Streetcar Named Desire’.

The film also has memorable dialogues, the most famous of which is the phrase ‘I could’ve been a contender’. A powerful story about justice, fidelity, love and moral doubt, with simple, but very effective dialogue. On the Waterfront’ by Elia Kazan from 1954 has influenced an entire generation of filmmakers. This masterpiece is in the top ten (eighth place) of the American Film Institute. Obviously not to be missed!