On the Waterfront

It's a very good film, but its subtext is even better. While on the surface you have a strongly written and acted tale of repentence, as a young man grows a conscience and blows the whistle on the crooked union bosses who have been his benefactors, director Elia Kazan clearly had other thoughts in mind when he made it. Kazan was one of the Hollywood personalities who succumbed to pressure and their own cowardice to "name names" the House Un-American Affairs Committee which was then investigating the supposed Communist influence in the motion picture industry. Kazan, who had been around the fringes of leftist groups, threw eight of his friends to the Washington wolves. The eight had been, like Kazan, members of various leftist and ineffective Communist front groups, although all eight of them had long since severed their connections. "On The Waterfront" was Kazan's expiation of his activities, his claim that it was ok to rat out your friends if it saves your own career.

Excellent!!! Gritty, straightforward...powerful! Makes most of today's movies looks like crude self indulgent crap!

This movie is about as good as it gets dramatically. Brando is incredible as Terry Malloy, terrific supporting cast of Rod Steiger, Lee J. Cobb, Karl Malden and a hell of a feature debut by Eva Marie Saint. Unforgettable flick...

Excellent film. Great acting- probably Brando's best ever- and great directing. A good human story, it was courageous for its time. The film provided a realistic look at the thugocracy of unions, their effect on people, and the economy.

Excellent film. Great acting- probably Brando's best ever- and great directing. A good human story, it was courageous for its time. The film provided a realistic look at what happens when thugs take over unions and politicians ignore the takeover 'cause they represent the ruling class and want to see unions destroyed so workers can be exploited more easily. Of course it says nothing about the beneficial effects honest unions have on people, and the economy, 'cause it's not about that. (apologies to Victor for parodying his deathless prose)

Great performances all around. Taxi scene with Brando and Steiger vies for best scene ever.

Brando's best. Once again Lee J. Cobb could have been just as great with a little less bellowing. A guy that menacing and powerful would not have to yell at all.

Brando should have stayed at this weight. His I coulda had class, I coulda been a contenda... talk kayoes Olivier's Hamlet.

Arguably the best acting performance in the history of American cinema Marlon Brando plays Terry Malloy with such vigor it's impossible to stop watching. His intensity is equalled only by the delicacy in his performance, particulary in the classic scene with his brother Charlie. This film about guilt and redemption is up there with the greatest films of all time.

Not one of my all-time favorites, it is an acting powerhouse. You do feel for Brando with the whole "I coulda been a contendah" angst. Another movie, like High Noon, where the loner tries to fix a broken community. The first time you watch it it will be hard to turn it off.

This movie was amzing. That pretty much covers it.

I don't like saying this because I really like the movie AND Brando, but I think that One The Waterfront is a tad overrated. It probably deserves 5 stars, but I'm giving it 4, cause it's good. Not Great! but good. The American Film Institure put it as #8 in their top 100 list. I would rather put It's A Wonderful Life if they want a classic. I would have On The Waterfront in the top 100 though, just not top 10 or 20. Brando though reinvented acting, with a truly brilliant performance with passion and sadness. The music is beautiful as well.

BAD ASS! this movie has it all: music, acting, a plot, unlike most movies today. my 5th favorite movie of all time!

marlon brando gives one of the best ever performances in cinema with this passionate , powerful drama. a must see

This is the BEST movie I have ever seen. The film was perfect. I am schocked that the film isnt ranked at least 10. The film had a fantastic ending and end. I can't think of one reason why someone would not like this movie.

Good music, great photography, Marlon Brando and Karl Malden at their best,talking about traitors a subject very fragil but very good for a man like Kazan that lived persecutions,the best film of Elia Kazan