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On the Waterfront

"On the Waterfront" delves into the dark underbelly of the New York docks, inspired by Malcolm Johnson's 1949 articles exposing rampant murder, extortion, and corruption among longshoremen. The film follows dockworker Terry Malloy, his moral struggles, and the fight against powerful mob influences led by Johnny Friendly, alongside Father Barry's quest for justice. It reflects post-war American society's gritty reality and social issues, drawing parallels to contemporary struggles for justice and loyalty, while also highlighting Kazan's controversial legacy and the moral dilemmas faced by individuals like him.

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On the Waterfront

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  1. On the Waterfront

  2. Cultural, historical and social setting • Based upon a series of newspaper articles written by Malcolm Johnson about trouble on the New York waterfront in 1949 • Articles exposed murder, extortion and standover tactics infesting the docks • A congressional Inquiry was set up to hear evidence from the dockworkers in an attempt to clean up the waterfront • The characters of Terry, Johnny Friendly and the crusading priest, Father Barry, were based on real people • The film revealed an ugly, gritty side of American society and politics. It was an immediate success and very popular much like the Underbelly series is in Australia today

  3. Union • Longshoremen’s Union • What are they? • What are their purpose? • How could they come to take advantage?

  4. Themes • Respect • Loyalty • Survival • Fear • Acceptance • Justice • Morals • Courage • Conscience

  5. Kazan’s story • Kazan a Communist Party member in his youth and had testified 1952 House Un-American Activities Commission (HUAC) • He testified against his peers and received much contempt and rejection as a result – Arthur Miller was to write the original screenplay for ‘On the Waterfront’ but since Kazan’s testimony he refused. • Kazan is believed to have made the film to justify his actions and glorify those who stand against the majority public opinion and follows his own conscience

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