Terry Malloy (Brando) is a young ex-prizefighter who tends to his pigeons and runs errands for the corrupt boss of the longshoremen's union, Johnny Friendly (Cobb). Terry's older brother Charley (Steiger) is a confederate of the boss. Terry witnesses a murder committed by a couple of Friendly's thugs, visits the victim's sister Edie (Saint), and feels partly responsible. A tough priest, Father Barry (Malden), urges Terry to go before the Waterfront Crime Commission and provide information that will crack the union racketeers. This 1954 classic, directed by Elia Kazan and written by veteran screenwriter Budd Schulberg based on a 1949 Pulitzer Prize-winning series of articles in the New York Sun by Malcolm Johnson, won 8 Oscars, including Best Picture, Best Direction, Best Actor for Brando, and Best Supporting for Saint. It also generated controversy as a tale which, in a sense, honors "stool pigeons," which many regarded Kazan to be after he went before the 1952 House UnAmerican Activities Committee and named names that helped ruin many Hollywood careers. Even when he received an honorary Oscar in 1999, there were fierce protests. But the film, with its exciting camerawork, a thrilling score by 36-year-old Leonard Bernstein, and great acting (watch for uncredited appearances by Martin Balsam and Fred Gwynne, as well), stands on its own.
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The review of this Movie prepared by David Loftus
ex-boxer attracted to girl whose brother was killed by his mob associations.
The review of this Movie prepared by Joe Pugarelli
