On the Waterfront (1954)

[The Other]

On the Waterfront (1954) - 10/10

http://www.moderntimes.com/palace/wat_art1.jpg

Oh. My. God. Just wow! I'm speechless. I saw this movie twice this weekend (once yesterday, once today) and I can't get over how truly amazing it is. This is one of the most riveting and flat-out thrilling films I've ever seen, even during it's more leisurely paced scenes. Not since, or maybe not even while watching American Beauty have I been so captivated, enthralled, and shaken by a movie.

Marlon Brando, Eva Marie Saint and Karl Malden give awesome performances and some of the best I've ever seen. Brando's performance as Terry Malloy is one of the best, if not the best. Gotta love his famous, moving, poignant "I coulda been a contenda" or "I'm glad what I done to you" speeches. People, it doesn't get much better than this.

Brando and Saint won well-deserved Oscars that year for their performances here (Best Actor and Supporting Actress). Three actors were nominated for Supporting Actor (Karl Malden, Lee J. Cobb, & Rod Steiger). Malden should have won, he was awesome throughout, but it's this one scene where he gives his own moving, poignant speech to the men who work at the docks about standing up to the corrupt leaders, while they throw stuff at him, that truly makes it one of the best. Cobb was great as well, he has his best scenes towards the end with Brando. Steiger was barely in it, though, almost a cameo performance. But he did have an impressive scene with Brando in the cab where he tries to get him not to squeal on them. The scene is featured on the cover of the VHS (Steiger pointing a gun at Brando). My video store didn't have the DVD. *sigh* Anyway...

The chemistry between Eva Marie Saint and Marlon Brando was very believable and they worked well together, some of the more longer scenes were with just them as their characters fall in love with each other. They were just completely believable and those were some of the more slower-paced scenes, but not boring at all. I really enjoyed those scenes.

The direction from Elia Kazan and writing from Budd Schulberg were top-notch as well. I love Schulberg's script. It's fiery social criticism, dealing with political corruption and individual heroism. Way ahead of its time.

Truly, a 10/10, five-star, A+ gut-grabber.

Please people, see this movie if you haven't. There's a reason why certain films are considered classics.

Note to self: Buy the DVD, ASAP.

[Hannibal21]

ON THE WATERFRONT
Starring: Marlon Brando (Terry Malloy), Eva Marie Saint (Edie Doyle), Karl Malden (Father Barry), Lee J. Cobb (Johnny Friendly), Rod Steiger (Charley Malloy), John Hamilton (Pop Doyle)

Completely agree with you, The Other.

ON THE WATERFRONT is one of my favorite films of all time. Marlon Brando gave the best performance of his career and deserved the oscar, Eva was excellent as well. Before I saw the film I didn't think I would enjoy it, but watching it, WOW! Everything is in pure perfection. The acting, directing, the script (some of the most memorable quotes in film history including the 'I coulda been a contender' line), etc. So many great scenes. Some of my favorites include the one with Terry and his brother Charlie in the car, the ending with Terry and Johnny Friendly fighting, and the scenes with Terry and Edie: POWERFUL and well done. Lee J. Cobb makes a great villain and plays his part down to the bone. The movie is put together really well and I enjoyed every part of it. It wasn't slow or dry, but entertaining. Thanks to the filmmakers and the actors (who were all perfect for their parts). I've got to get the DVD of this masterpiece.

10/10!!!!!!

[The Other]

I totally agree about the end fight scene between Brando and Cobb, it's also where Brando delivers his "I'm glad what I done to you" speech. That scene was really powerful, IMO. Probably my favorite scene in the movie.

[SIREN30]

You guys said it! IT's one of my top ten also! The scene w/ Terry's brother (the incredible Rod Steiger)....one of the best scenes in film history...gut-wrenching.

Brando's crowning achievement. 10/10 fo sho'!

[The Other]

That's kick ass, Siren!

This is so depressing, though, I had to bring it back to the video store today. I can't wait to see it a third time. Need to buy it somehow. The store or over the Internet.

I must reiterate those scenes between Brando and Saint. I loved them. The romance was very believable. This is like the only movie where I noticed myself talking to the TV. lol, The scenes where Edie was trying to get Terry to leave. I was like "just go with her" cause you can leave that shithole town and start a life together. Or when he broke into her apartment when she wouldn't see him, I was like "just tell her already that you didn't know they were going to kill him because she obviously didn't hear the first time"!

It's sad, I know, but it's been such a long time since I've seen a great, great movie like this...

[Fergus]

I had the same thoughts when I first saw the film awhile back. Excellent storyline, surprisingly, it moves fairly quickly for an older movie. Brando's best performance in my opinion. I think I might end up seeing it again sometime, not something I could watch repeatedly I'm afraid. Classic movie. Better than anything that's come out in almost two decades.

In my top twenty of best movies ever made.

[Golden Ghost]

Just caught the other night on TCM and I hate the follow the crowd but GOOD GOD, what an immense experience I had watching this film! Trying to pick out the flaws is near impossible. New favourite of mine.

[Jerk Shapiro]

I agree, Other. On The Waterfront is indeed, an amazing film. Elia Kazan is an amazing director, and this film shows it. One of my favorites, and the best ever made.

"I coulda been a contenda."


10/10

[Dude]

Very good film....but glad I only rented the dvd..transfer leaves VERY MUCH to be desired....especially when compared to films B&W remasters like Kane (which is much older than OTW)..or even Sunset Blvd's transfer which is around the same time period OTW was made.

[The Other]

I agree Fergus. It does move at a quick pace and is never boring.

I think that out of all the movies I've ever seen, probably 10% fall in the 'older' movie category. I haven't really gone head-over-heals for any of them like I did with On the Waterfront. I mean, most are good, some really good. I just haven't seen many that'd make me want to see them more than once.

[Hannibal21]

Nice to see it's your favorite movie along with American Beauty now, Other. :)

Yeah, it's a classic worthy of mutiple viewings (but then again most classics are ;) ), I have seen it plenty of times and it just gets better and better with each viewing

[The Other]

Had to Hannibal. Never seen a movie as good before.

Also, love your avatars you have...Nice to see Hepburn, Grant and Stewart in The Philadelphia Story there. LOVE that movie.

[Deckard]

What can I say that hasnt already been said. An undisputed masterpiece of acting, direction and writing.

Director Elia Kazan is an actors director and it is so important to the films success. Taking the method to the next level Kazan pushed Brando like no other. Karl Malden and George C Scott too bring out there best from the actors studio vine.


A must see that hasnt lost any of it power or relevance.

[Hannibal21]

Originally posted by The Other
Had to Hannibal. Never seen a movie as good before.

Also, love your avatars you have...Nice to see Hepburn, Grant and Stewart in The Philadelphia Story there. LOVE that movie.

Thanks! Classics rule! :)

[blankpage]

On the Waterfront

My 7th favourite movie of all time. There is something about this film that is so powerful , moving, captivating, and brilliant. Brando pulls out the second best perfromance of his career. He is the heart and soul of this movie. Such a young age. Proves that he is one of the best actors ever.

Elia Kazan really knows how to make a movie. This being his best. All of his movies are stunning. But for this film, he seemed to go all out.

The scene between Brando and his brother was amazing.


10/10

[flowrchild]

Wow! After seeing all the rave reviews for this movie, I am definitely pushing it to the top of my "Must see" list.

[Hannibal21]

You really should, flowrchild. It truly was a GREAT experience. I hope you won't be disappointed. :)

[The Other]

I just rented A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE (1951) today. I can't wait to watch the other film from director Elia Kazan, starring Marlon Brando and Karl Malden (who won an Oscar for his performance in "STREETCAR") both from ON THE WATERFRONT, and also starring Vivien Leigh and Kim Hunter (both of whom won Oscars for their roles in "STREETCAR").

Only Brando didn't get an Oscar. It went to Humphrey Bogart that year for THE AFRICAN QUEEN. Now, I haven't seen that movie either, but I suspect Bogart's Oscar was due in part because that was Bogart's second nomination and first since Casablanca (for which he lost). But doesn't matter, 3 years later Brando went on to, deservedly, win for ON THE WATERFRONT and then again 18 years later for THE GODFATHER (which I still haven't seen).

[blankpage]

The Other, you'll love Streetcar.

One of my favourites.

Enjoy. :)

[Hannibal21]

I've said it before and I'll say it again....

"Hey STTTTTTTTTTTEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEELLLLLLLLLLLLLAAAAAAAAA AAAAA!!!"

:D

[The Other]

I saw A Streetcar Named Desire (1951) - 9/10 today.

What a great movie. Not better than On the Waterfront, but still great all around and Vivien Leigh gives her best performance (of what I've seen of hers). A departure from playing Scarlett, it really didn't seem like the same actress on screen. Brando was great in his breakthrough role, but I hated his character's barbaric and animalistic way. He was just always so mean, but that was the point. I felt sorry for Blanche every time Stanley got on her case. And it didn't help that she was totally insane. That made me feel sorry for her even more.

I can also understand the scene(s) that were cut. Thinking of it back in 1951, it is a little "racy" when Stanley takes Stella into the house after the fight. You know they were going in the house to have sex, but him taking her in the house and then the morning after was cut from its original release. Added back in, in 1993.