Terry Malloy is an ex-boxer who, having never made the top grade, is reduced to acting as a henchman and errand boy for Johnny Friendly, the gang boss who has gained control of the dockside union, Terry having been recommended by Johnny's right-hand man, Charley, Terry's brother. After Terry sees two of Johnny's men murder Joey Doyle, a worker they believe has been a police informant, he is torn between keeping quiet or going to the police. Charley warns him to keep his mouth shut but after meeting the victim's sister, Edie, who believes that Terry is a good man who should do what is right, he introduces him to Father Barry, a priest who is trying to expose the violence and corruption now rife in the docks. Terry is caught between his loyalty to his brother and justice, and torn by his indecision.... Powerfully adapted by Budd Schulberg from his own novel, and directed by Elia Kazan, himself controversial after his dealings with the UnAmerican Activities Commission, On the Waterfront has a surprisingly left-wing stance at a time when the 'Red Menace' was still being seen as a threat to America. Brando has rarely been better and his widely imitated self-justifying 'I could have been a contender' speech to Rod Steiger remains as powerful and poignant as ever. A brilliant reminder of the actor at the very height of his powers, before he eventually became a parody of himself. Fine, dramatic film making which was nominated for twelve Oscars (including three nominations for Best Supporting Actor - Steiger, Cobb and Malden) and eventually won eight, including Best Actor (Brando), Best Director and Best Cinematography.