Key Events and Scene by Scene Analysis
On the Waterfront
Key events and scene by scene analysis
Key Facts
full title· On the Waterfront
director· Elia Kazan
leading actors/actresses· Marlon Brando, Eva Marie Saint, Karl Malden, Rod Steiger, Lee J. Cobb
genre· Gritty gangster film; authentic social reality film
time and place produced· 1954; Hoboken, New Jersey, and New York City
setting (time)· 1950s
setting (place)· Hoboken, New Jersey
protagonist· Terry Malloy Antagonist: Johnny Friendly
major conflict· Terry Malloy must decide whether to inform the Waterfront Crime Commission about the corrupt leadership of the Longshoreman’s Union, which would risk his employment and his life, or to stay silent, which would poison his conscience and have untold effects on his life.
rising action· As Terry Malloy struggles with his decision, his blossoming relationship with Edie Doyle, the passionate support of Father Barry, and the revealing taxicab conversation with his brother Charlie all push him toward realizing that he has only one choice for his own conscience.
climax· When Johnny Friendly’s gang murders his brother Charlie, Terry realizes the inescapable cycle of union corruption and vows to make the union pay whatever the cost, now that he’s felt the pain personally.
falling action· Though in his rage Terry wants to murder all the goons he can find, Father Barry convinces him to rise above their level and testify in court to the Waterfront Crime Commission the next day, which he does. He then goes down to the docks to confront Friendly.
themes· Informing as the correct moral choice; the transforming power of faith; power corrupts
motifs· The rooftop as retreat from the world; Crucifixion dialogue; “D & D”: Deaf and Dumb
symbols· Hudson River; pigeons; hooks; gloves, rooftop, Joey’s jacket
foreshadowing
· Joey Doyle sticks his head out of his apartment window to answer Terry Malloy’s call from the street, and that answer brings his death. Much later, Malloy finds himself in the same position, sticking his head out of Edie’s window to answer a dark call from the street, which leads to the discovery of his brother’s corpse.
·Kayo Dugan wishes daily that the stevedores could unload crates of crisp Irish whiskey instead of bananas, which they unload every day. The day a ship finally arrives with a cargo of Irish whiskey is the day the gang murders Dugan on the job—by dropping a crate of whiskey on his head.
·After Joey Doyle’s murder, Pops Doyle gives Joey’s jacket to Dugan, suggesting that perhaps now Dugan has a mark on him. After Dugan’s murder, the jacket is given back to Edie. On the final scene at the docks, Malloy grabs Joey’s jacket and wears it in front of all.
Scenes 1 - 12
Terry is an errand boy for the head of the corrupt union gang boss, Johnny Friendly (Lee Cobb). When Terry gets caught up in the murder of Joey Doyle (a fellow worker who has become an informer to the Waterfront Crime Commission) he begins to question himself.
Joey’s death rocks the community. His father, Pop (John Hamilton), tells everyone that he warned his son about testifying and his sister, Edie (Eva Marie Saint), a Catholic teacher trainee cries out for justice. The local priest, Father Barry (Karl Malden), joins in the quest to bring justice but many of the workers are frightened about losing their jobs and fearful of the ways in which the Union metes out punishment to informers.
When Terry observes the reactions of Friendly’s men to the death of Joey, he becomes increasingly agitated. He is particularly disturbed by the hit men, Truck (Tony Galento) and Tullio (Tami Mauriello) and his own brother, Charley (Rod Steiger). This is further compounded for him the next day when two of the Commission’s officers seek him out to find out what he knows. Terry refuses to divulge anything to them.
He meets Edie on the foreshore of the docks during a fight for work tabs that the foreman, Big Mac (James Westerfield) has scattered amongst the workers. Father Barry who witnesses the scramble encourages the reluctant men to meet in the church’s basement to discuss their appalling conditions and the death of Joey. Reluctantly, some of the men agree to attend but they are reticent to divulge what they know about life on the docks. Terry, who has been sent there by his brother to spy on proceedings, is there when Friendly’s goons ruthlessly attack the meeting and he helps Edie escape.
Shyly, Edie and Terry get to know each other a little better. A homeless man challenges Terry about his involvement with Joey and Pop who has witnessed the two of them together decides that Edie must be sent back to school immediately. She protests and later agrees to meet Joey for a drink.
At the bar, Edie begs Terry for help but he doesn’t have the strength of character to be able to stand up and help her. They share some moments of joy when they accidentally gatecrash a wedding but their happiness is short lived by the arrival of Friendly’s men who demand to see him and then the arrival of a subpoena delivered by a member of the Commission demanding that he reports to a hearing at the State House. Edie, distressed by what she has seen, flees whilst Terry is berated by Charley and Friendly for consorting with Edie.
Scenes 13 – end
On the docks, the next day, Dugan (Pat Henning) is killed when a crate of whiskey is ‘accidentally’ dropped on him. Father Barry delivers a famous sermon reproaching the men for standing by as silent witnesses. Plagued by guilt and increasingly drawn towards Edie, Terry confesses his involvement to Father Barry and then later to Edie.
Charley, acting on orders from Friendly, is instructed to approach his brother and demand his compliance. In the most famous moment from the film, the two brothers take a taxi ride. Terry seeks his brother’s help and Charley pulls a gun on him. In the course of their discussion, Terry accuses his brother of thwarting his boxing career by forcing him to throw a fight that could have brought him fame and glory. Charley, stung by his own acknowledgment of the betrayal of his brother, allows his brother to escape, thus signing his own death warrant with the gang.
Terry seeks out Edie and after breaking down her door they kiss. In a scene that echoes the death of Joey, Terry is lured into the street where he and Edie discover the body of Charley hanging from a hook. Enraged, Terry heads to Friendly’s Bar, to await his opportunity for revenge. Father Barry, however, intercedes and after punching him, convinces him that the best way to ensure justice is through the legal system and not through mob activities.
After testifying to the Commission, Terry returns home to find that one of the local kids, Tommy (Thomas Handley) has slaughtered his pigeons and that he is scorned by his friends and neighbours. Terry, wearing Joey’s jacket, walks to the docks for the morning muster. After being overlooked for work, Terry calls on Friendly to come out of his waterfront office and the two men fight as the workers look on. Terry is beaten to a pulp by Friendly’s henchmen and it takes Edie and Father Barry to break through the men and help Terry to his feet. They encourage him to walk proudly past the men and onto the docks. The other longshoremen follow him and Johnny Friendly is left standing alone on the docks as all the men disappear.
Scene 1
Opening shot
Working class – power struggle
Joey’s death: Terry’s role in this task
Scene 2
Terry’s role in the death of Joey: a pawn?
Terry’s lack of power – the thugs push past him
-he is guilty; he has some morals not all bad?
The mob has total control of the community
-Joey Doyle, Andy Collins – all dead
“If you “..sing to the crime commission”, you die
Crime has flourished in the neighbourhood – no one will talk to the cops; ineffective legal system
Edie wants answers.
-How does she look?
Scene 3
Terry’s physical qualities – toughness, strength are admired by Johnny. He sees Terry as a son
Johnny’s tough, had a difficult background, volatile temper. He’s ruthless but has a soft spot for Terry.
Morality in the nob - you don’t inform.
Terry’s morality and conscience – FORESHADOWED
“I should have been told”.
Terry – a lack of ambition; simple needs. Doesn’t want to take money from Joey.
-This reinforces his guilt – MORAL DILEMMA
All the men are part of the corruption of the waterfront; with money provided by Johnny.
Terry’s softness; his love for pigeons; another side to his exterior tough and brusqueness
The brotherhood of men on the waterfront – a willingness to help each other. However, who controls them?
“poorer now than when I started” – the American dream – money, status, success – doesn’t happen through just simple hard work.
What is the only way to escape the waterfront?
Symbol: Joey’s jacket – passed onto Kayo Dugan
Scene 4: The shape up
Arrival of the waterfront crime commission.
Nobody will talk
Scene 5: The union explained
Scene 6: Safety
Omnipresent power of Johnny. Terry has been nominated to “stool”
Father Barry – tries to convince the men to “break the mob” – to stand up to Johnny
“We don’t rat”. “Be D and D”.
has a simplistic and naïve view of why the men won’t speak up.
Scene 7: Mob attacks
Johnny’s men attack – intimidation
Music – reflects the men’s fear
Father Barry becomes an advocate for the men not just a spiritual adviser
Dugan decides to testify.
Terry and Edie escape
Scene 8: Park
Joey has a history of standing up to those in power
Terry, on the other hand, is referred to as “..a bum”.
Terry is contrasted to the gentle and gracious Edie
-He admires her brains.
- is awkward about her.
“It’s not just brains, it’s how you use them”.
“You don’t buy me, you’re still a bum”.
Scene 9: Edie and Dad
Pop Doyle is not in favour of Edie’s developing relationship with Terry – wants to send her back to Saint Annes.
To protect her from the harsh world of the waterfront.
Scene 10: Rooftop
Terry has been looking after Joey’s pigeons. – internal guilt
Pigeons:
Edie belongs to a different world – this is emphasised in this scene.
Scene 11: Terry and Edie
Terry and Edie’s philosophy about life
Edie: advocate of social responsibility; looking out for others
-Edie’s innocence – never drank a beer or been to a saloon
“You’d help if you could”.
Terry: focus on survival
“Do it to him before he does it to you”
“Johnny Friendly bought a piece of me”.
“Everybody’s got a racket”.
“Keeping alive…staying in with the right people”.
“I’d like to help but there’s nothing I can do”.Terry is unable to help her, even though Edie believes he would.
Scene 12: Wedding
Terry’s moral struggle is beginning to show despite being determined “not to rat”.
Edie realises that Terry was part of her brother’s death.
Scene 13: Threats
Wise up!
Johnny’s corruption and influence extends far beyond the waterfront.
Scene 14: Death of Dugan
High angle shot – Terry’s powerlessness at preventing Johnny’s plan to kill Dugan.
Dugan is killed.
Scene 15: Sermon
Transformation in Terry; he protects Father Barry
Joey’s jacket – returned to Edie.
She gives it to Terry
-with the responsibility of speaking up against the corruption destroying the men.
Scene 16: Confession
Terry’s MORAL DILEMMA
-speak up – what is his conscience telling him to do?
- needs “strength” to reveal this to Edie
Scene 17: Another confession
Terry’s confession – drowned out by noise
Extreme close up on Edie’s face
-disappointment and shock
-her naivety and innocence are destroyed.
Terry is left alone, like a “sacrificial lamb”.
Scene 18: Kid brother
Terry’s boxing career was cut short when he threw his last fight.
Either Terry stays silent or he will be killed.
Terry’s CHOICE – moral dilemma.
Scene 19: In the car
Terry is offered a lucrative opportunity as a “boss loader” in return for his silence.
Indecision – moral struggle.
Terry feels Charlie was responsible for Terry’s missed opportunities.
-Charley is guilty over his role in this.
-Terry must make his decision.
Scene 20: Terry
Music – signal that another death has occurred.
Scene 21: Revenge
Charley has been killed – sacrificed.
Terry can no longer think about self preservation. He wants revenge.
Scene 22: Truth
Camera angles – low – symbolises his new lack of fear and sense of power.
Father Barry says to Terry:
-bravery is not shooting someone, but risking one’s self for the truth.
Glass shatters: when Terry throws the gun at Johnny’s photo.
-further symbolising the shattered power of Johnny.
Scene 23: Trial
The courtroom – Trial of Local 374
Terry’s testimony is fundamental to the prosecution.
-The legal system can’t prosecute without Terry’s help
Terry is unable to respond “correctly” – another example of his lack of worldliness.
Scene 24: On the rooftop
The aftermath.
Terry is rejected by the other workers – for his treachery.
“A pigeon for a pigeon”.
Johnny wants vengeance.
Did Terry make the correct decision?
Why is he considered a traitor?
Why didn’t he do the right thing earlier Instead of setting up Joey?
Scene 25: Confrontation
The final confrontation.
Terry explains publicly his decision, voicing satisfaction at his choice.
Scene 26: Fight
The fight between Terry and Johhny.
Johnny’s power has diminished but Terry is still injured.
Scene 27: Walk
The longshoremen now have a new found sense of solidarity.
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