Winner '54:
First Saw It:
On the Waterfront
Summer 1998, on video
Bridesmaids: The Caine Mutiny, The Country Girl, Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, Three Coins in the Fountain
My Vote: On the Waterfront so far, though I'm still catching up with Caine and Fountain
Overlooked: The Earrings of Madame de..., A Star Is Born, Rear Window, Executive Suite


On the Waterfront
First screened in Summer 1998 / Most recently screened in August 2015
Director: Elia Kazan. Cast: Marlon Brando, Eva Marie Saint, Lee J. Cobb, Karl Malden, Rod Steiger, Pat Henning, John Hamilton, Leif Erickson, Martin Balsam, Martin Keegan, John Heldabrand, Fred Gwynne. Screenplay: Budd Schulberg (based on articles by Malcolm Johnson).

Twitter Capsule: Themes, lighting, acting, score emit such excitement. No pun intended, though, to say it's all a bit belabored.

VOR:   Couldn't be more influential in its photography, its performance style, or its social themes (however self-serving). As notable for its imitators as for its lingering uniqueness.



Photo © 1954 Columbia Pictures

Not yet reviewed in full. Grade: A–


Academy Award Nominations and Winners:
Best Picture
Best Director: Elia Kazan
Best Actor: Marlon Brando
Best Supporting Actress: Eva Marie Saint
Best Supporting Actor: Lee J. Cobb
Best Supporting Actor: Karl Malden
Best Supporting Actor: Rod Steiger
Best Writing, Story and Screenplay: Budd Schulberg
Best Cinematography (Black & White): Boris Kaufman
Best Art Direction (Black & White): Richard Day
Best Film Editing: Gene Milford
Best Original Score (Drama/Comedy): Leonard Bernstein

Golden Globe Nominations and Winners:
Best Picture (Drama)
Best Director: Elia Kazan
Best Actor (Drama): Marlon Brando
Best Cinematography (Black & White): Boris Kaufman

Other Awards:
Venice Film Festival: OCIC Award
Directors Guild of America: Best Director
Writers Guild of America: Best Written American Drama
New York Film Critics Circle: Best Picture; Best Director; Best Actor (Brando)
National Board of Review: Best Picture
British Academy Awards (BAFTAs): Best Foreign Actor (Brando)

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