Interactive Revision
You will need a pen and paper to participate in this interactive revision.
Write an answer to these questions. When was On the Waterfront first shown? Who directed On the Waterfront? What was the name of the journalist who wrote the series of articles that On the Waterfront was based on?
On the Waterfront was produced and shown for the first time in The film was directed by Elia Kazan; and the script was written by Budd Schulberg from stories by a New York journalist, Malcolm Johnson, based on events on the New York waterfront in 1949.
On the Waterfront is a film about a particular location, a place different from the rest of America. Elia Kazan sets himself the task of creating an enclosed, harsh, frighteningly unpredictable world where good and evil are clearly recognisable.
Write down as many characters as you can and make brief notes about them. For example: Terry Malloy – brother of Charlie (the gent) Malloy – former prizefighter – falls in love with Edie Doyle.
Charlie Malloy – brother of Terry - right hand man to Johnny Friendly – is murdered by Friendly’s goons.
Edie Doyle – daughter of Pop Doyle & sister of Joey Doyle - Catholic teacher-in- training - helps Terry to reclaim his conscience
Edie’s loyalty to her brother is the driving motivation for all her actions - sexuality is crucial in her involvement with Terry, and their attraction grows, in part, because they are physical opposites.
Joey Doyle – killed by Johnny Friendly’s thugs Father Barry – catholic priest – the waterfront is his parish
Johnny Friendly - Corrupt leader of the Longshoreman Local Union Money and power are his motivations Initially, Friendly comes across as powerful After Terry Malloy speaks out to the Waterfront Crime Commission and effectively strips Friendly of all his power, Friendly becomes pitiable.
Write down some of the themes present in On the Waterfront.
On the Waterfront tells the story of the emotional and moral growth of Terry Malloy: how he becomes someone who can ‘speak the truth as he knows it’ and who can get his rights.
Terry Malloy obeys moral authority by choosing to inform on the corrupt union officials—that is, he clearly makes the morally correct decision.
Edie and Father Barry, the two characters who most help Terry figure things out, have faith in something intangible.
Edie maintains faith in her belief that people care about the well-being of others and want to do the right thing.
Father Barry maintains faith that acting as a representative of God can help others do the right thing.
In the game of power there are no true friends, just the acquisition of more power and the defence of that power
Johnny Friendly’s taste for power has left him morally bankrupt Mr. Upstairs turns on Johnny Friendly in an instant
The film shows us a world controlled by powerful criminals who use threat and bullying to achieve power over people Friendly is the one in control of the workers In reality he is a coward who uses brute force to gain control
Friendly is defeated by Terry’s courageous stance at the conclusion
Terry’s attitude to life changes when he falls in love with Edie Formerly Terry was indecisive and weak
It is love for his brother Terry and the desire to protect him from danger that costs Charley his life Love and loyalty to his brother Charley moves Terry to take a firm and final stance against Johnny Friendly
Edie’s loyalty to her dead brother Joey is the main driving force motivating all her actions in the film Her loyalty to Joey’s memory contributes in many ways to the final destruction of Friendly’s corrupt tactics
Friendly gets Terry to betray Joey by luring him out on to the roof at the beginning of the film Out of loyalty to his dead brother Charley, to Joey and the workers, Terry boldly confronts Friendly and defeats him at the conclusion
You know, I seen you a lot of times before. Remember parochial school out on Paluski Street? Terry Malloy
Some people think the Crucifixion only took place on Calvary. Well, they better wise up! Father Barry
You want to know what's wrong with our waterfront? It's the love of a lousy buck. It's making love of a buck - - the cushy job - -more important than the love of man! Father Barry
Shouldn't everybody care about everybody else? Edie Doyle
Isn't it simple as one, two, three? One: The working conditions are bad. Two: They're bad because the mob does the hiring. And three: The only way we can break the mob is to stop letting them get away with murder. Father Barry
The only arithmetic he ever got was hearing the referee count up to ten. Father Barry
Look, kid, I - how much you weigh, son? When you weighed one hundred and sixty-eight pounds you were beautiful. Charlie Malloy
You think you're God Almighty, but you know what you are? You're a cheap, lousy, dirty, stinkin' mug! And I'm glad what I done to you, ya hear that? I'm glad what I done! Terry Malloy
Where you guys going? Wait a minute! I'll remember this! I'll remember every one of you! I'll be back! Don't you forget that! I'll be back! Johnny Friendly
I didn't say I didn't love you. I said, "Stay away from me." Edie Doyle
Conscience... that stuff can drive you nuts! Terry Malloy
What kind of saint hides in a church? Edie Doyle
You're getting on. You're pushing 30. You know, it's time to think about getting some ambition. Charlie Malloy
You know this city's full of hawks? That's a fact. They hang around on the top of the big hotels. And they spot a pigeon in the park. Right down on him. Terry Malloy
Isn't it simple as one, two, three? One: The working conditions are bad. Two: They're bad because the mob does the hiring. And three: The only way we can break the mob is to stop letting them get away with murder. Father Barry
The End