On the Waterfront

"I coulda had class. I coulda been a contender. I coulda been somebody, instead of a bum, which is what I am." These are the immortal words of young dockworker Terry Malloy who tries to stand up to the unholy union of the mob and longshoremen’s union running New York harbour, and runs into trouble with corrupt union boss Johnny Friendly. Urged on by working class priest Father Barry, after his brother Charlie is murdered, Terry testifies against the conspirators in court and almost falls victim to their violent revenge. Screenwriter Budd Schulberg did his research on the New York docks, and this renowned social drama was rewarded with eight Oscars in 1955. In addition to director Elia Kazan and Schulberg, Marlon Brando won as best actor. Brando, along with co-stars Karl Malden, Lee J. Cobb and Rod Steiger, had studied at the Actors Studio, of which Kazan was one of the co-founders. Berlin hosts the first European screening of the digitally restored version (4K) by Grover Crisp, Sony Pictures Entertainment.