On the Waterfront (1954)

Cast: Marlon Brando (Terry Malloy), Lee J. Cobb (Johnny Friendly), Karl Malden (Father Berry)

Director: Elia Kazan

Genre: Crime/ Drama/ Romance


It’s rare to find a film these days in which the realism is real. Marlon Brando is the only actor I’ve seen who has easily pulled off this feat on more than one occasion. On the Waterfront is just one example. Brando was such a natural at acting that he rarely, if ever, memorized his lines. Even while he was playing Vito Corleone in The Godfather, he had his lines posted over head, off camera and read them as they shot his scenes. That’s a natural talent, for sure. Marlon Brando’s unique gift is perfectly evident in this film. Ex-prize fighter, Terry Malloy, wishes he was still doing what he always loved to do-fight. In the mean time, he keeps himself busy tending his homing pigeons and running errands at the docks for Johnny Friendly- the shady boss of the Dock Workers Union. His life takes a raw turn when he witnesses the murder of Joey Doyle by two of Friendly’s henchmen. Keeping this secret to himself despite the sting of his conscience, he meets Joey’s sister Edie. This meeting rattles his conscience even more but doesn’t keep him from taken an interest in her. She introduces him to a priest, Fr. Barry, who is adamant in stopping the shady activities on the waterfront docks despite his own safety. Edie falls in love with Terry which, along with the influence of Fr. Barry, ultimately leads to the biggest act of Terry’s life. This movie is the epitome of classic film. The supporting cast of Lee J. Cobb as Johnny Friendly and Karl Malden work perfectly with each other. The shots of New York City are absolutely brilliant and the dialogue is well done- “I coulda been a contender.”
I’m willing to bet money that when Marlon Brando played Don Vito Corleone in the The Godfather, he thought back to his role as Terry Malloy as I saw a few minor similarities between the two characters. I certainly recommend this film. I suppose it could be loosely fall into the genre of sports films as the boxing plays an important element. Still, the movie really centers around Terry Malloy. Hollywood does not make them like this anymore. Brando is magnificent, realistic, and brilliant. The supporting actors are well cast and blend together nicely in this film.