Rating: 
Summary: A Triumph On Every Level
Review: "On the Waterfront" has such a formidable reputation that almost anyone with some film knowledge has heard of it whether they have seen it or not. Often, one is disappointed with the end result after hearing about a classic for so long that it becomes larger than life. This film more than lives up to the accolades that have fallen upon it over the past fifty years. The story is a gripping one, and it is told with such grim flair that it's impossible to tear your eyes away from the screen. The script is spare and effective, the black and white cinematography chilling in its complete absence of color. Still, the performances are the stand-out aspect of "On the Waterfront". Marlon Brando, Karl Malden, Rod Steiger, and Lee J. Cobb give what most actors could only dream of calling the performances of their careers. They are a powerhouse group; it's amazing that each continued to turn in equally impressive work throughout their careers.It truly does not get better than "On the Waterfront". Ignore the controversies behind the politics of the script and of director Elia Kazan and bask in the glow of a great film.
Rating:
Summary: If only Terry Malloy had worked for Enron
Review: Wow. That word comes to mind whenever I see this movie. Powerful, moving, and inspiring come to mind also. But the main adjective I'd use: REAL.
Terry Malloy's world is harsh and corrupted. Everything is done for the love of a buck. It's every man for himself, survival of the fittest. And the most important thing, you have to stay deaf and dumb if you want to see the next day. Mercy, conscience, and compassion are all considered to be weakness.
Though Terry lives and works at the docks and suffers at the hands of the labor leaders, his world resembles ours. Our world is brutal and harsh at times, and there are many instances in which being soft leads to suffering. And we face the same battle Terry faces: the battle of conscience.
Terry must decide whether or not to "rat" on his corrupted leaders, one of whom is his own brother. If he rats, he will be doing the "right thing" but will be putting his life at stake. If he stays D&D, he will be safe, but more and more innocent, honest men will suffer. We ourselves are often plagued with decisions like his; between taking the easy way out or the hard way out. That is what makes this movie unique; it shows a believable man going through believable anguish and moral suffering deciding on what to do.
But the best part is the ending. It is David and Goliath like...
Rating:
Summary: one of the best
Review: On the Waterfront is justly considered one of the best films in hollywood. But most don't realize that it was based on a true story -- that of Father John Corrdian S.J. He was the 'waterfront priest' working ny and nj ports in the late 40's and 50's trying to help Catholic longshoremen from the tranny of the mob and others abusing the local unions on the waterfront. Fr John or 'Pete' as he was called, is a great example of how a good Catholic Priest can be a manly and strong force to help save others.
Rating:
Summary: I messed myself watching this
Review: I honestly did mess myself whilst absorbed in this conciense soaked narrative....I tipped an entire bag of popcorn all over myself and was so engrossed I called my little dog benji too lick it up, later mother became aware of an un-holy stench, benji had messed on mothers bed, mother shot benji there and then, I kept schtum knowing it was my fault all along for feeding the defensless hound, After a night of my soul being wracked with guilt I swallowed...my pride and informed the animal police on my mother, she is now serving time at her magestys pleasure. That little tale more or less sums up the plot of this film except the film doesnt have any dogs in it, its a tale we can all relate to that of concience.
Many have presumed that this film was Kazans way of justifying his naming of names in that whole mcarthy witch hunt thing you silly Americans had ( us Brits dont do things like that were happy with simple honest football hooliganism to pass the hours ), Kazan disputes that this is his justification despite the fact its more obvious than a hairy mole on a fat mans head. In my opinion it doesnt matter anyway, Kazan did what he thought was right and even if we disagree we must remember, we were not placed in that position and dont know how we ourselves would have reacted, as long as Kazan did what he considered was for the best than I am willing to forget my feelings on the matter an enjoy the work of this cinema master. Its like that butcher near me, he never put money in the church collection but he made lovely butter pies, despite being a miser we still enjoyed his pies and were happier and fatter for it, remember this next time you consider Kazan.
Brando gives the performance of his career, the guilt building in him throughout the film is magic to watch. He reveals so much of the character that everyone can relate in some way, its the mark of a great performance when sympathy can be turned into empathy, Brando achieves this with style. The rest of the cast are superb and the shaven apes portraying dock workers is inspired casting.
The film stings with harsh realism and has this developing film noir feel throughout, the musical score adds to this feeling throughout, creating tense drama and haunting tenderness.
Some say the film is a bit bland like a cheese sandwich on brown bread but I say look closer and you realise the cheese is french and the bread has bits in, and if that doesnt sell you nothing will.
bye
Rating:
Summary: Hall Of Fame Film
Review: Marlon Brando this is the Kind of Film that is timeless.Marlon Brando showcases His Chops&the Man shows Why is One of the Greatest Actors Ever Period.what a Battle? He wins you over here.Karl Malden is solid as well.I see the outfit that lead to the Streets of San Francisco.no matter what the time period a Classic Film has no Date.it captures so much&more.
Rating:
Summary: the rocky movie of the 1950's
Review: terry malloy and rocky balboa have a lot in common. this movie is truly for the ages. great supporting cast with great music by mr. bernstein. and what can you say about marlon brando, the worlds greatest actor period. a lump in your throat ending, just like rocky. i guess thats why it won 8 oscars. great movie.
Rating: 
Summary: WOW -- what a disappointment!
Review: Can you all really be talking about the same movie I saw? The photography was drab, the dialogue pretentious, I could see the plot developments coming two miles away, Cobb's Johnny Friendly was as one-dimensional as Boris Badenoff, and I can't believe Eva Marie Saint got an Oscar for daring to go without makeup. What guts! As for Brando, His face was made up so that he was supposed to look like a fighter who'd taken one too many punches, but all he looked like was an actor with too much makeup. His Method interpretation was so self-conscious, so narcissistic, that he didn't seem to be truly aware that anyone else was ever in a scene with him. And come on, after the beating he takes, he's going to get up and stagger all the way to the factory gates -- and THEN also go to work? with every rib broken? And by the way, I'm sick of cigarette smoking, beer drinking priests in movies. This one does it, and so did The Exorcist. I've never known a priest who did these things, and why the Catholic Church would give public approval to such roles is a mystery to me. Kazan ratted on his peers and ruined careers and lives, and this was his valentine to himself for that horrible act. I for one was not entertained.
Rating:
Summary: It is not modified format!
Review: Re: jsnenninger's review - This movie was released at 1:37:1 in the theatres (as were most of the movies of that time). It has not been modified to fit the TV screen.
Rating:
Summary: It's the correct ratio
Review: Great film. And by the way, this film was made in the Academy Aperture...that is 1.37. It is not supposed to be in the wide screen format.
Rating:
Summary: Awesome!
Review: Marlon Brando at his finest, it's a must see and no collection is complete without it. One of the greatest movies I have ever seen.
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