On the Waterfront (re-release)
Metascore
88 out of 100

Universal acclaim - based on 10 Critics

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 10 out of 10
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 10
  3. Negative: 0 out of 10
view
per page
  1. Los Angeles Times
    Reviewed by: Kenneth Turan
    100
    As unspoiled in its key elements as the day it was made, "On the Waterfront" is indisputably one of the great American films, its power undiminished. Even more today than half a century ago, it demands to be seen.
  2. TV Guide
    Reviewed by: Staff (Not credited)
    90
    A draining experience from beginning to end, relentless in its portrayal of inhumanity.
  3. Chicago Sun-Times
    Reviewed by: Roger Ebert
    100
    The acting and the best dialogue passages have an impact that has not dimmed; it is still possible to feel the power of the film and of Brando and Kazan, who changed American movie acting forever.
  4. Boston Globe
    Reviewed by: Ty Burr
    100
    The chance to watch a four-star classic the way it was meant to be seen -- fresh print, big screen -- is so rare as to be worth the trip.
  5. ReelViews
    Reviewed by: James Berardinelli
    88
    On the Waterfront may have baggage, but that doesn't prevent it from being one of the great American productions of the mid-20th century.

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
8.4 out of 10

Universal acclaim- based on 32 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 5 out of 6
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 6
  3. Negative: 0 out of 6
  1. MartB.
    9
    They don't make 'em like this anymore.
  2. drlowdon
    7
    Winner of no less than eight Oscars at the 1954 Academy Awards On the Waterfront is quite rightly considered a classic. Based on a series of articles that appeared a New York newspaper at the time it tells the gripping story of union violence and corruption amongst longshoremen on the docks of Hoboken, New Jersey.

    For a film that is now close to sixty years old On the Waterfront has aged remarkably, largely thanks to Brando in what must still be amongst the greatest ever screen performances. There are a few signs of the films era, such as the slightly intrusive music, and as with many early Hollywood movies it is a little slow in places. None of this can detract from the overall quality of the film however and it remains an example of 50's Hollywood cinema at its best.    … Full Review »
  3. Compi24
    9
    Sincerely complex and immaculately-acted characters accentuate the gripping thematic ideas at hand in "On The Waterfront," another stone-solid testament to Elia Kazan's perfect directorial skill.… Full Review »
See all user reviews »