On the Waterfront

On the Waterfront is a 1954 American crime drama film.

It was directed by Elia Kazan and written by Budd Schulberg. The movie is a black-and-white production. It explores themes of alienation at the lowest social level. The story focuses on union violence and corruption among longshoremen. These are workers on the waterfronts of Hoboken, New Jersey. The film is considered one of the greatest movies ever made. It is also recognized for its deep social meaning.

The plot follows Terry Malloy, a former New York prizefighter.

His boxing career ended because he purposely lost a fight. He did this at the request of a mob boss named Johnny Friendly. Terry now works as a longshoreman for Friendly's labor union. His brother, Charley, serves as the boss's right-hand man. The story moves through a series of difficult moral choices. Terry is coerced into helping the mob by luring a worker named Joey Doyle to a rooftop. Joey is killed when he is thrown off the roof. This event forces Terry to confront the corruption around him.

Several characters drive the struggle for justice in the film. Edie Doyle, played by Eva Marie Saint, is Joey's sister. She works alongside Father Barry, a local priest.

Together, they try to inspire the dockworkers to stand up to the corrupt union. Terry struggles with his conscience throughout these events. He eventually confesses his role in Joey's death to Edie and the priest. The tension rises as Friendly sends Charley to bribe Terry into staying quiet. After Charley is murdered, Terry decides to testify in court instead of seeking revenge. This choice leads to the downfall of Friendly's powerful connections.

The film's origins are rooted in real-world reporting and research. It was inspired by "Crime on the Waterfront" by Malcolm Johnson. Those articles appeared in the New York Sun in 1948. They won the 1949 Pulitzer Prize for Local Reporting. Budd Schulberg wrote the screenplay based on his own original story. He spent two years researching the docks to ensure accuracy. He attended rebel meetings and visited waterfront bars. He observed the "shapeup," a method of hiring workers. He reported these details back to Kazan during the writing process.

Production and casting involved many interesting details. Marlon Brando initially declined the role of Terry Malloy. Frank Sinatra had a handshake deal to play the part first. However, Kazan preferred Brando to ensure a larger film budget. To prove Brando's strength, Karl Malden filmed a screen test with other actors. This test convinced producer Sam Spiegel to reconsider Brando. Once Brando signed, Sinatra requested the role of Father Barry. Malden was ultimately cast in that role instead. The film was shot over 36 days on location in Hoboken. Locations included docks, alleys, rooftops, and the historic Our Lady of Grace church.

On the Waterfront was a major commercial and critical success. It earned an estimated $4.2 million at the North American box office in 1954. The film received twelve Academy Award nominations. It won eight awards, including Best Picture. Elia Kazan won Best Director, and Marlon Brando won Best Actor. Eva Marie Saint won Best Supporting Actress in her film debut. In 1989, the Library of Congress selected it for the National Film Registry. This designation means the film is culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant. The American Film Institute ranked it as the 19th greatest American movie in 2007.

The film's impact on the art of acting is profound. Marlon Brando's performance popularized method acting in cinema. This is a Stanislavski-based approach to character. Director Martin Scorsese called Brando's work "purest poetry imaginable." Many actors, including Anthony Hopkins and Al Pacino, have praised the film. The musical score was also unique. It was composed by Leonard Bernstein. This was the only original film score Bernstein wrote that was not adapted from a stage production. The film remains a landmark in cinematic history.