Waterfront Classic
Marlon Brando stars in a powerful tale of corruption and conscience, set on the docks of 1950s New York. Catch this iconic film at the Depot in Lewes.
Dir: Elia Kazan
Cast: Marlon Brando, Eva Marie Saint, Karl Malden, Lee J. Cobb, Rod Steiger, Pat Henning, Leif Erickson, James Westerfield
108 mins · 1954 · United States of America · Cert PG · English
IMDb 8.1/10 · Rotten Tomatoes 99% · Metacritic 91/100 · TMDB 7.8/10 · Trakt 77%
Awards: Won 8 Oscars. 30 wins & 11 nominations total
Marlon Brando, known for his intense and nuanced acting style, gives a memorable performance in On the Waterfront, a classic film about corruption and conscience on the docks of 1950s New York. Directed by Elia Kazan, this 1954 American crime drama follows Terry Malloy, a former prizefighter-turned-longshoreman, as he navigates a world of union violence and corruption. The film boasts an impressive cast, including Karl Malden, Lee J. Cobb, and Eva Marie Saint, and features a powerful score by Leonard Bernstein.
On the Waterfront is a gripping drama that explores themes of alienation and social justice, with Brando's performance at its core. The film has received widespread critical acclaim, with scores of 8.1/10 on IMDb, 99% on Rotten Tomatoes, and 91/100 on Metacritic. It has also won numerous awards, including eight Oscars, and has been selected for preservation in the United States National Film Registry.
The film will be screened at the Depot in Lewes on Sunday, 1 November 2026. Tickets or details are available with the button beside this article. With its powerful story, strong performances, and historical significance, On the Waterfront is a must-see for film enthusiasts. The film's influence can still be felt today, with many considering it one of the greatest films ever made.
Viewers have praised the film for its realistic portrayal of life on the docks, with one commenting that it is "more real than romantic, more simple than profound, and more honest than exciting." Others have noted that the film's slow build-up is worth the wait, with the last 30 minutes being particularly intense. The film's themes of corruption and conscience continue to resonate with audiences today, making it a compelling watch for anyone interested in classic cinema.
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What viewers say
The_Argentinian
Man, they don't make adult dramas like this anymore. Now this is a real superhero.
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SkinnyFilmBuff · 6/10
70 years old and it *almost* holds up. I like the premise - exploring a setting and ideas that I'm not familiar with. Interesting character dynamics. I can see why Marlon Brando was a star - just oozing swagger. But the execution leans into some melodramatic/cliché moments in ways that feel dated. Some characters feel like caricatures at times (Johnny Friendly and crew). The pacing in the back half and the finale feels a bit rushed. Overall, I…
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2016moonlight · 7/10
This film undoubtedly has its own merit. A powerful story with an amazing performance by Brando at its front, but after reading some of the backstory of the director and screenwriter, the politics behind this movie feel very questionable. Still, I’ve been curious to see Brando’s earlier roles and he did not disappoint. He makes the movie for me.
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Rin J Tohsaka · 10/10
On the Waterfront is truly one of Marlon Brando’s peak films in his early days before he goes on to establish more iconic roles. Not just Brando but also the other cast such as Karl Malden and even Eva Marie Saint that gives off a wonderful performance. The scene that everyone have talked about, being the taxi cab scene perhaps one of the greatest speech scenes I’ve seen in a film, and also the Malden monologue towards the dockworkers is just…
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peritas · 6/10
You have to be patient with this one. It builds up slowly and the last 30 minutes are on fire.
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fasterfilmcritic · 7/10
On the Waterfront is more real than romantic, more simple than profound, and more honest than exciting. The docks feel cold, worn down, and beaten up. There is no flash and no glamour. The film understands that its strength lies in its story and performances, and it never tries to be bigger than that. It can feel slow at times, but it is not trying to impress. It is only trying to tell the truth, and in that, it succeeds.
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boycaught · 9/10
A demi-masterpiece. A bit melodramic. Maybe for my Internet-era sensibilities, this story felt more like a stage play on celluloid. The big story here is basic, well-crafted, and well-executed. And there are some really great acting performances throughout, from Eve Marie Saint, Karl Malden and, of course the legendary Marlon Brando... "I coulda been somebody, I coulda been a contender..." These older b/w films definitely leaned in more on the…
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drqshadow · 8/10
While slowly bleeding a major dock workers’ union dry, a small band of New York gangsters crosses lines and swings their weight around. The city is wise to their scam, sending a pair of canny detectives to fish for information, but they soon realize that the exploited class has been trained to clam up under the spotlight. In the eyes of the affected, there’s nothing worse than a snitch, and when a few frustrated coworkers turn up dead before…
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