On the Waterfront (1954) | |
| Director(s) | Elia Kazan |
| Producer(s) | Sam Spiegel |
| Top Genres | Crime, Drama, Romance |
| Top Topics | Book-Based, Integrity, True Story (based on) |
Featured Cast:
On the Waterfront Overview:
On the Waterfront (1954) was a Crime - Drama Film directed by Elia Kazan and produced by Sam Spiegel.
The film was based on the newspaper article Crime on the Waterfront from the New York Sun, 24-part series written by Malcolm Johnson published in Nov-Dec 1948.
SYNOPSIS
One of the most powerful film dramas of all time springs from the lives of hard men who work the docks and their resistance to the brass-knuckle politics of the waterfront unions. Union corruption wasn't a popular film subject, and neither were director Kazan and writer Schulberg after testifying to the HUAC. But the product of their collaboration forged a powerful impression on generations of moviegoers. Brando gives a remarkable, intuitive, physical performance as a washed-up boxer turned errand boy for the corrupt union boss. But when he contributed to a killing and falls in love with the victim's sister (Saint), he begins to see the consequences of the union grip on the waterfront. Under the wing of crusading priest Malden, Brando begins to challenge the mob, eventually becoming a bloody symbol of resistance. Stirring, important filmmaking.
(Source: available at Amazon AMC Classic Movie Companion).
.On the Waterfront was inducted into the National Film Registry in 1989.
Academy Awards 1954 --- Ceremony Number 27 (source: AMPAS)
| Award | Recipient | Result |
| Best Actor | Marlon Brando | Won |
| Best Supporting Actor | Lee J. Cobb | Nominated |
| Best Supporting Actor | Karl Malden | Nominated |
| Best Supporting Actor | Rod Steiger | Nominated |
| Best Supporting Actress | Eva Marie Saint | Won |
| Best Art Direction | Richard Day | Won |
| Best Cinematography | Boris Kaufman | Won |
| Best Director | Elia Kazan | Won |
| Best Film Editing | Gene Milford | Won |
| Best Music - Scoring | Leonard Bernstein | Nominated |
| Best Picture | Sam Spiegel, Producer | Won |
| Best Writing | Budd Schulberg | Won |
BlogHub Articles:
Sacrifice and Survival on the Waterfront: “Min and Bill” (1930)
By Stephen Reginald on Aug 4, 2026 From Classic Movie ManSacrifice and Survival on the Waterfront: “Min and Bill” (1930) Directed by George Hill, Min and Bill (1930) is a pivotal Pre-Code comedy-drama starring Marie Dressler as Min Divot and Wallace Beery as Bill. Set along a dusty waterfront dock, Min runs a seedy, rundown hotel while ma... Read full article
?TCM Big Screen Classics: On the Waterfront? Movie Event Ticket Giveaway (April 1 – April 16)
By Annmarie Gatti on Apr 1, 2016 From Classic Movie Hub BlogWin Tickets to see ?On the Waterfront? on the Big Screen! in Select Cinemas Nationwide?April 24 &?April 27! Okay, here we go? our?next round of monthly?movie ticket giveaways, courtesy of Fathom Events!?That said, this month, we?ll be giving away?SIX PAIRS?of tickets to see??TCM Big Screen Class... Read full article
Chicago Film Club field trip: “On the Waterfront” April 24 at ShowPlace ICON at Roosevelt Road
By Stephen Reginald on Mar 30, 2016 From Classic Movie ManChicago Film Club field trip: “On the Waterfront” April 24 at ShowPlace ICON at Roosevelt Road Where: ShowPlace ICON, 150 W Roosevelt Road, Chicago, IL 60605 When: April 24 Time: 2:00 p.m. Hosted by Stephen Reginald Run Time: 2 hours (approximate) Ticketing: Tickets are avail... Read full article
On the Waterfront (1954)
By Beatrice on Dec 27, 2015 From Flickers in TimeOn the Waterfront Directed by Elia Kazan Written by Budd Schulberg based on his original story suggested by articles by Malcolm Johnson 1954/USA Columbia Pictures Corporation/Horizon Pictures Repeat viewing/Netflix rental #281 of 1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die Terry: Edie, you love me... Read full article
On the Waterfront (1954, Elia Kazan)
By Andrew Wickliffe on Jul 3, 2015 From The Stop ButtonOn the Waterfront is relentlessly grim until the strangest moment in the finale. As the film finally reaches the point of savage, physical violence–it opens with the implication, but not the visualization of such violence–a supporting character (familiar but mostly background) makes a wi... Read full article
See all On the Waterfront articles
Quotes from
Edie: Braids.
Terry: Looked like a hunk of rope. And you had wires on your teeth and glasses and everything. You was really a mess.
Terry: Hey, you wanna hear my philosophy of life? Do it to him before he does it to you.
Father Barry: Isn't it simple as one, two, three? One: The working conditions are bad. Two: They're bad because the mob does the hiring. And three: The only way we can break the mob is to stop letting them get away with murder.
read more quotes from On the Waterfront...
Facts about
Near the movie's beginning, it's amusing to see character actor James Westerfield, playing Big Mac, calling out names of men selected to work, and paying tribute to himself by yelling, "Westerfield."
The shooting schedule occasionally had to be worked around Marlon Brando's appointments with his psychiatrist in Manhattan.
read more facts about On the Waterfront...
