On The Waterfront
Marlon Brando is one of the most iconic actors of all time, enjoying a career that spanned nearly sixty years.
One of Brando's greatest big screen performances is On The Waterfront: which is widely regarded as one of the greatest crime dramas of all time.
Directed by Elia Kazan, On The Waterfront follows an ex-prize fighter turned longshoreman struggles to stand up to his corrupt union bosses.
On The Waterfront is one of those movies that is totally electrifying - you simply cannot take your eyes of Brando for a single second.
Everyone knew what a terrific actor he was, but under the director of Kazan he delivers a truly unforgettable performance.
Brando's lines " I coulda had class. I coulda been a contender. I coulda been somebody" have truly gone down in cinema history as one of the best lines of all time.
I have always been a Brando fan, but On The Waterfront is, without a shadow of a doubt, his finest big screen moment. If you are exploring Brando's work for the first time, make sure this is where you start.
On The Waterfront is a great morality tale about corruption and redemption: this is what has made this film endure, as these are issues that we can still all relate to.
It is a beautifully written and wonderfully crafted piece of drama, which is driven by a strong vision and wonderfully developed characters.
On The Waterfront would go on to be both a critical and commercial success, and was nominated for 12 Oscars. It won eight: including Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Actor for Brando.
This movie is celebrating its 60th anniversary this year, and it as powerful a human drama today as it was back in 1954.
Tagged in Marlon Brando