"I coulda been a contender..." is amongst the most quoted lines in Film History. Even those who don't know it's source, know the line. On the Waterfront (1954) is a true Classic, featuring a number of key 1950's Hollywood players in their prime. The film dominated the Academy Awards that year, winning eight Oscars including Best Picture, Best Director (Elia Kazan), Best Actor (Marlon Brando) and Best Supporting Actress (Eva Marie Saint, in her debut role). The cinematography is excellent, containing the necessary grit to suit the locale. Everything works well, and for both Kazan and Brando, On the Waterfront was a defining, career highlight.
Mobster Johnny Friendly (Lee J. Cobb) controls the docks with an iron fist. He decides who works, and when. Terry Malloy (Marlon Brando) has been taking money for doing dirty work for a while... |
| On the Waterfront. 1954: Marlon Brando |
When Terry is paid to lure out Joey Doyle, a man who had squealed to the Police, Friendly's goons kill Doyle. Terry was under the impression that Doyle would just be roughed up, and his death disturbs him. It is also apparent amongst the other dock workers, some who get picked regularly and others who starve, that they are fed up with Friendly's control over their existence and the corruption that surrounds them...
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| On the Waterfront. 1954: Marlon Brando |
Terry meets Joey Doyle's sister, Edie (Eva Marie Saint), and the two begin to fall in love. He can't seem to tell her about the role he played in her brother's death, though...
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| On the Waterfront. 1954: Marlon Brando and Eva Marie Saint |
Through the persuasion and perseverance of a priest (Karl Malden), Terry's conscience gets the best of him and he considers speaking to the authorities. Friendly and his cohorts, including Terry's brother Charlie (Rod Steiger) catch wind of Terry's impending betrayal and are not pleased...
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| On the Waterfront. 1954: Marlon Brando |
Terry and Edie are in great danger...
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| On the Waterfront. 1954: Marlon Brando |
Hope seems futile, but someone must take stand at some point...
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| On the Waterfront. 1954: Marlon Brando |
