An American Crime Drama Period film set in the 1950’s, about widespread corruption, extortion and racketeering on the docks of Hoboken, New Jersey.

The film begs the question, who really rules America? The widespread corruption and iron-gripped control of the mob – organized crime – of many of the public and private businesses and facilities of America, making local and federal government agencies helpless and inutile on the face of mob’s rule.

With half of America living in fear over the overly efficient and organized control of the Mob, in all matters of businesses and facilities leaving a mockery of the rule of law, and the failure of government agencies to enforce the law, leaving its citizens vulnerable for manipulation and control by the mob.

The situation creating a quandary both for government officials and the citizens. Since the control of the mob is total and absolute, citizens refuse to help the government. Without the support and cooperation of the citizens, government agencies and officials will not be able to enforce the law, to apprehend and go after the criminal activities of the mob.

This has been the circumstances and state of affairs in many remote and rural areas in America were the presence of a strong government agency is missing, or inadequate.

Government agents and representatives understands this dilemma. If their trusted and expected protector – government agent and representatives – fails or is unable to protect them against criminal elements and forces, how can you expect citizens also to provide assistance and aide the government of its operation against criminal elements and activities.

This is the existing vicious cycle atmosphere present in the 50’s in rural America that is the haven and breeding spot for organize crime. The strong preying on the weak who cannot defend themselves and who has no one to protect them.

This is the state and order of the circumstances in which the people of the 50’s in rural America lived and worked, specifically with regard to their safety and well-being.

This situation and state-of-affairs is the setting and the backdrop of the film, On The Waterfront, a classic crime drama noir. Written by Budd Schulberg and Directed by Elia Kazan, the film suggested by a series of articles appearing in the New York Sun in November – December 1948 by Malcolm Johnson, headlined, “Crime on the Waterfront.”

The film stars Marlon Brando, Karl Malden, Lee J. Cobb, Rod Steiger, Pat Henning, and in her first ever star appearance, Eva Marie Saint.

The film was also loosely-based on real-life whistle-blowing longshoreman Anthony DeVincenzo, who testified before a real-life Waterfront Commission about illegal and racketeering activities on the Hoboken Docks.

The character of Father Barry was based on Father John M. Corridan, a real-life Waterfront Jesuit Priest. The character of actor Lee J. Cobb was based on Michael Clemente, an International Longshoremen’s Association boss.

The film On the Waterfront is a gloomy and tragic commentary on the current state-of-affairs in the Hoboken Waterfront, where it depicts how the mob, controls the lives and conditions of the people in the area.

Terry Malloy’s life and future would have turn for the better but the mob boss had ordered Charlie – Terry’s elder brother – to tell Terry to take a dive on his fight which would have made him a champion, and then on a better pay.

A mob boss has the power of life over the citizens. They can order the death and murder of persons who go against their business and wishes. They can drive a wedge over the relationships of families and brothers. Organize Crime can instill the fear of God on the citizens that they dread helping government operations.

The mob practically runs and controls the operation, not just of the docks and waterfront, but the city as well. Either through fear and intimidation, and bribery.

Against this backdrop, a person alone without the support of his friends, family and fellow workers, have no choice going against the mob.

Since, this a film, the story ended in a positive note, and Marlon Brando giving a sterling acting performance bagged the Best Acting Award. Eva Marie Saint in her first starring role performance, got the Best Supporting Actress Performance.

But the best performance of the film was accurately showcasing the real-life conditions and situations in 1950’s Rural American areas under the harsh control of the mob.