On the Waterfront

Classic among the classics and the film that gave its name to this programme. On the Waterfront is set in Hoboken, the harbour district of New York. In an unforgettable role (that nearly went to Frank Sinatra) Marlon Brando plays the failure Terry, a dock worker who has got it into his unfortunate head to resist the all-powerful and corrupt bosses of the harbour trade unions. The story was based on true events and was then seen as Kazan's answer to the critics who blamed him for breaking down during interrogations as part of the witch hunt of communists in early-fifties America. The studios did not dare touch the film and did not see any future in a film about rough dock workers. This independently produced film was however a huge success. (GjZ)