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Poster for On the Waterfront

On the Waterfront

The man lived by the jungle law of the docks!

1954 · 1h 48m · Approved Crime, Drama, Romance
Directed by Elia Kazan

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Overview

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

Director and cast

Critics on Rotten Tomatoes

Top critics, in their words

All reviews
99%
Tomatometer
Fresh

Under Elia Kazan's direction, Marlon Brando puts on a spectacular show, giving a fascinating, multi-faceted performance as the uneducated dock walloper and former pug, who is basically a softie with a special affection for his rooftop covey of pigeons.

Variety Staff, Variety
Fresh

It's hard to deny that Marlon Brando's performance as a dock worker and ex-fighter who finally decides to rat on his gangster brother (Rod Steiger) is pretty terrific.

Jonathan Rosenbaum, Chicago Reader
Fresh

It's pretty electrifying.

Geoff Andrew, Time Out
Fresh

You miss this, you're buyin' a one-way ticket to Palookaville.

Colin Covert, Minneapolis Star Tribune
Fresh

Indisputably one of the great American films, its power undiminished.

Kenneth Turan, Los Angeles Times

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