On the Waterfront is a 1954 American crime drama film directed by Elia Kazan and written by Budd Schulberg. The film stars Marlon Brando and features Karl Malden, Lee J. Cobb, Rod Steiger, Pat Henning, and Eva Marie Saint in her film debut. The plot follows Terry Malloy, a former prizefighter turned longshoreman, who struggles to stand up to his corrupt union bosses.
The film tells the story of Terry Malloy who becomes embroiled in a corrupt union run by Johnny Friendly. Terry Malloy is a petty errand boy for the union head who runs the docks of Hoboken, New Jersey.
Joey Doyle, a fellow longshoreman, is planning to testify in front of the Waterfront Crime Commission about the corrupt methods union bosses employ to extort money and labor from the working-class longshoremen.
The gangsters push Doyle off the roof to his death, implicating Malloy in the murder as an accomplice. Edie Doyle, Joey's sister, becomes involved with Terry and tries to find out what really happened to her brother.
Terry struggles with his conscience and his loyalty to his brother, Charley, who serves as Friendly's right-hand man. Terry eventually decides to testify against Johnny Friendly in court, with the help of Edie and the streetwise priest Father Barry.
Terry's testimony leads to the downfall of Johnny Friendly and his gang, and the workers on the waterfront are inspired to stand up against corruption.
The film is known for its intense drama, raw and powerful dialogue, and vivid, naturalistic direction. It won eight Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor for Marlon Brando, and Best Supporting Actress for Eva Marie Saint.
On the Waterfront is considered a masterpiece of Urban poetry and a timeless classic.
Trailer
Cast
The main cast of "On the Waterfront" includes:
- Marlon Brando as Terry Malloy
- Karl Malden as Father Pete Barry
- Lee J. Cobb as Michael J. Skelly aka "Johnny Friendly"
- Rod Steiger as Charley "the Gent" Malloy
- Eva Marie Saint as Edie Doyle
- Pat Henning as Timothy J. "Kayo" Dugan
- John F. Hamilton as "Pop" Doyle
- Ben Wagner as Joey Doyle
- James Westerfield as Big Mac
- Fred Gwynne as Mladen "Slim" Sekulovich (uncredited)
- Tami Mauriello as Tillio
- Tony Galento as Truck
- Leif Erickson as Lead Investigator for Crime Commission
- Rudy Bond as Moose
- Martin Balsam as Gillette, Secondary Investigator for Crime Commission (uncredited)
- Katherine MacGregor as a Longshoreman's Mother (uncredited)
- Pat Hingle as Jocko (uncredited)
- Nehemiah Persoff as Cab Driver (uncredited)
- Abe Simon as Barney
- Thomas Handley as Tommy
Other notable cast members include James Westerfield, and John F. Hamilton.
Director: Elia Kazan
Writer: Budd Schulberg
Box office gross: $9,600,000
Distributor: Columbia Pictures Corporation
Release date: July 28, 1954