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A Criterion Channel Companion

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On the Waterfront (1954) | Criteria

Backdrop for On the Waterfront

Poster for On the Waterfront

On the Waterfront

United States • English • 1954 • 1h 48m

This film is not currently available on the Criterion Channel

Director

Crime Drama Romance

#647Criterion Collection View Connections 4.17/5·143.1K ratings·25.7K reviewson Letterboxd

Synopsis

A prizefighter-turned-longshoreman with a conscience goes up against labor leaders to expose corruption, extortion, and murder among the union ranks.

Dakota Fanning
Aug 2026
John C. Reilly
Apr 2026

Roger Corman#6
Atom Egoyan#7
Donald Fagen#7

Included in
Spike Lee’s Adventures in Moviegoing
Position 3
Included in
John Turturro’s Adventures in Moviegoing
Position 3
Included in
Columbia’s Golden Era
Position 3
Included in
Method Acting
Position 3
Included in
June 2023
Position 52
Included in
Directed by Elia Kazan
Position 6

Part of Box Set

CC40

Credits

Crew

DirectorElia Kazan

WriterBudd Schulberg

CinematographerBoris Kaufman

ComposerLeonard Bernstein

EditorGene Milford

ProducerSam Spiegel

Cast

Marlon Brandoas Terry Malloy

Karl Maldenas Father Barry

Lee J. Cobbas Johnny Friendly

Eva Marie Saint

Related Films

via Criterion Collection

Poster for The Fugitive Kind

The Fugitive Kind

1960

Poster for The Golden Age of Television

The Golden Age of Television

Poster for 12 Angry Men

12 Angry Men

1957

Articles

via Criterion Collection

Three Reasons: On the WaterfrontFeb 25, 2013
On the Waterfront: Everybody Part of Everybody ElseMichael Almereyda — Feb 19, 2013
A Tale of Three Aspect RatiosFeb 19, 2013

Elijah Wood

Mar 2026

Lucy Liu

Oct 2025

RZA

May 2025

Jerry Schatzberg

May 2024

Catherine Breillat

Oct 2023

Luis Guzmán

Oct 2023

Benjamin Millepied

Apr 2023

Ron Shelton

Jul 2022

Phil Rosenthal

Sep 2016

Laura Albert & Jeff Feuerzeig

Sep 2016

Nicolas Winding Refn

Jul 2013

Dick Cavett

#8

Included in

September 2021

Position 65

Included in

Additions: March 2020

Position 50

as Edie Doyle

Rod Steigeras Charley Malloy

Pat Henningas Kayo Dugan

Leif Ericksonas Glover

James Westerfieldas Big Mac

Tony Galentoas Truck

Tami Maurielloas Tillio

John F. Hamiltonas 'Pop' Doyle

John Heldabrandas Mott

Rudy Bondas Moose

Don Blackmanas Luke

Arthur Keeganas Jimmy

Abe Simonas Barney

Martin Balsamas Gillette (uncredited)

Dan Berginas Sidney (uncredited)

Zachary Charlesas Dues Collector (uncredited)

Fred Gwynneas Slim (uncredited)

Scorsese Talks On the WaterfrontFeb 20, 2013

Great Adaptations: Columbia in the 1950sImogen Sara Smith — May 6, 2024

Iconic Brando in BerkeleyAug 31, 2017