Terry Mallory runs errands for Johnny Friendly who is a gang lord and is involved in illegal activities. He meets the sister of a man who was killed by Johnny's man and decides to revolt against him. A powerful postwar thriller about dockyard corruption, set in a US riven by social and poitical turmoil.

On the Waterfront won eight Oscars, including best picture, director, actor, supporting actress (Eva Marie Saint), and screenplay. The film is not without it's controversy though. It is widely regarded as director Elia Kazan's attempt to justify his 1952 testimony to the House Un-American Activities Committee, identifying eight communists in the film industry - where Marlon Brando's character is essentially a stand in for Kazan, as a courageous man who stands up against corruption and roots out evil.

Duration 1hr 48mins
Director Elia Kazan
Cert PG / Year 1954
Country of origin: USA
Language: English