On the Waterfront

"The man lived by the jungle law of the docks!"

Jun 22 1954 Approved 1h 48m
Crime, Drama, Thriller

Terry Malloy is a kindhearted dockworker, and former boxer, who is tricked by his corrupt bosses into leading his friend to death. After falling in love, he tries to leave the waterfront and expose his employers.

Plot

Terry Malloy dreams about being a prize fighter, while tending his pigeons and running errands at the docks for Johnny Friendly, the corrupt boss of the dockers union. Terry witnesses a murder by two of Johnny's thugs, and later meets the dead man's sister and feels responsible for his death. She introduces him to Father Barry, who tries to force him to provide information for the courts that will smash the dock racketeers.

Written by

Budd Schulberg, Malcolm Johnson, Robert Siodmak

Directed by

Elia Kazan

Production Countries

United States of America

Production Companies

Horizon Pictures, Columbia Pictures

Languages

English

Awards

Won 8 Oscars. 30 wins & 10 nominations total

Scores
# of Votes
170,839
Average Rating
8.1 out of 10
Metascore
91
Popularity
NA