• Home
• On the Waterfront

Page

On the Waterfront

• Summary
• How to watch
• News & features

❚ We may earn commission from links on this page. Our editorial is always independent (learn more).

Watch trailer

01:35

On the Waterfront

Save

• Crime/detective
• Drama

• 1954
• Elia Kazan
• 103 mins
• PG

Summary

Classic crime drama starring Marlon Brando, Karl Malden, Lee J Cobb and Rod Steiger. One-time boxing hopeful Terry Malloy idles his time away on New York's dockside, protected by his brother Charley while "working" as a strong-arm man for the corrupt leader of the dockers' union. But Terry begins to question his loyalties after a neighbour is murdered and he falls in love with the dead man's sister, Edie.

Ad

Powered By

IMDB

Review

A star rating of 5 out of 5.

Tony Sloman

Marlon Brando is unforgettable here as Terry Malloy, a brooding misfit among the rampant corruption of the New York docks, and he was rightly awarded the best actor Oscar for his performance. The movie works on several levels: on the surface, it's an extremely well-crafted and entertaining drama, but peel away some layers and you'll discover an apologia for informing. It's fascinating, then, to discover the superb direction is by Elia Kazan, who himself "named names" in McCarthyite America. Mix in Leonard Bernstein's Oscar-nominated score, memorable dialogue from screenwriter Budd Schulberg and truly great performances from screen newcomers Eva Marie Saint and Rod Steiger - if ever a movie deserved its eight Oscars, it was this one. Brando added the BFA award - the equivalent then of the Baftas - for best foreign actor to his Oscar.

imdb-square

8.1/10

How to watch

Loading

Streaming

• Netflix
• Prime Video
• Sky Store

Credits

Cast

rolenameTerry MalloyMarlon BrandoFather BarryKarl MaldenJohnny FriendlyLee J CobbCharley MalloyRod Steiger"Kayo" DuganPat HenningEdie DoyleEva Marie SaintGloverLeif EricksonBig MacJames WesterfieldTruckTony GalentoTillioTami Mauriello"Pop" DoyleJohn HamiltonMottJohn HeldabrandMooseRudy BondLukeDon BlackmanJimmyArthur KeeganBarneyAbe SimonJPBarry MacollumSpecsMike O'DowdGilletteMartin BalsamSlimFred GwynneTommyThomas HandleyMrs CollinsAnne HegiraJocko, bartenderPat HingleCab driverNehemiah Persoff

Show more

Crew

rolenameDirectorElia Kazan

Details

Languages

English | Latin

Guidance

Violence

Available on

video, DVD and Blu-ray

Formats

Black and white

News & features about On the Waterfront

• 
  
  Sting support act The Christians issue statement after drummer's on-stage collapse
  
  The drummer is being treated in hospital.

• 
  
  How to get Sting tickets as sale goes live for UK festival dates
  
  Sting is headlining the festival circuit next summer? Be Still My Beating Heart!

  Ad

• 
  
  Death in Paradise's Don Warrington teases future as Selwyn future remains unclear
  
  Don Gilet and Don Warrington reveal what fans can expect from Death in Paradise’s festive showdown.

• 
  
  Noah Wyle is guest editor of the Radio Times app – The Pitt star reveals his must-watch picks
  
  The Emmy-winning actor and star of acclaimed new HBO drama The Pitt reveals his favourites from the worlds of film and TV.

• 
  
  How to get Sting tickets as general sale goes live for new UK tour dates
  
  Sting is heading back on tour next year? Be Still My Beating Heart!

• 
  
  Maestro soundtrack: What music features in Leonard Bernstein film?
  
  The legendary composer and conductor is the subject of Bradley Cooper's new movie.

Ad

Ad

Ad