"On the Waterfront" Most Famous Scene

Masterpiece of Acting!

[@crybabyland]

"It wasn't him Charlie, it was you" That line is DEVASTATING. These two titans made acting history with this scene.

[@13hehe]

Ugh the gentle way Brando pushes down the gun and the pure look of disappointment rather than fear. It's heartbreaking. And Steiger is so wonderful here too. This is a heart-breaker scene, every movement.

[@DonDraperism]

This still moves me, no matter how many times I see it. I saw this first in college in 1978 and I was awestruck by the acting. What a fantastic scene and the dialogue is so realistic.

[@smuffjules]

My vote is the cab driver. Awesome performance. Really tastefully laid out like a true pro and gave Steiger and Brando space to do their thing.

[@dusygibbons]

the best scene in all cinema. i've watched it over a hundred times. never fails to give me chills, so layered and sublime.

[@gdprosper]

I love the horn that effectively bleeps out Charlie's 'what the hell'.

[@LetThereBeRaineTV]

Having a gun pulled on you by your brother... Just so low. The way Brando says "Wow..." epitomizes it exactly as it is. Just wow. Worst feeling ever, it's officially hitting rock bottom.

[@djdonald243]

The lyrics in themselves are quite matter of fact and unromantic, but they hit so hard.

[@johncrawfordpiano]

This is a scene that you just cannot take your eyes off. The two of them are mesmerizing and there is so much emotion in their eyes, I don't know if there is a better scene then this in film history.

[@glassgiraffe1185]

acting... real, beautiful acting

[@mayatiita1]

This is amazing! I have read so much about this scene so many times, but I never imagined it was actually as good as this. Now I understand why it has capture the imagination of so many people, I understand why it is referred to again and again in culture.

[@gpower7]

Im a 25 year old Marlon Brando fan an this is easily one of my favourite scenes from any movie. Simply amazing acting on both their parts. When Rod Steiger sits back after Brando says "Charlie",while pushing the gun away and procedes to tell Charlie that it was him that pretty much ruined his boxing career,its jst heartbreaking. Sublime acting.

[@jackiebaron]

Art is about the viewer experiencing an emotion that is unexpected. Awe at the Statue of David, elation at the Blue Danube, anticipation during Swan Lake. This piece of art brings lumps to the throats of anyone who views it because of the pain that the characters are experiencing. This is ART. And art is everything. Beautiful.

[@ToThoseWhoVanished]

MBs been a tremendous inspiration to me, I had lost myself, but after watching him in streetcar and waterfront, I found myself in him. I owe a big 'thank you' to him. NO matter his weight issues, his embarrassments, or his promiscuity, to me he would forever remain an inspiration.

[@GatorGirl04]

Sheer brilliance. These two titans in one of the most devastatingly awesome scene continues to astound me. This scene was actually improvised too...just another testament to the their genius. Brando is incredible here but Rod matches Brando beat for beat. They are elevated one another to other worldly levels and they'll forever be studied for this scene alone. A salute to Boris Kaufman for this gorgeous cinematography too. And Elia's THE man for his work. Thanks for posting!

[@frankromano9064]

This scene was NOT improvised. Check your facts before making ignorant statements. I have a copy of the original Schulberg screenplay, it's all there.

[@GatorGirl04]

Oh my goodness gracious! my sincerest apologies oh GREAT purveyor of the Schulberg Intellectual Property Integrity Project. I applaud your discourteous reprimands of the anonymous and I hope they are not merely relegated to youtube. I hope TCM and the Marlon Brando estate have been made aware of their erroneous claims too. I had no idea improvisation only applied to dialogue either. #StanislavskyWeeps

[@frankromano9064]

GatorGirl04 I love morons like you. Have no idea of what you're talking about, write a total falsehood ,get corrected and get bent out of shape. Try to check your facts before writing.

[@frankromano9064]

GatorGirl04 Wow...do you read what you write? You wrote the ENTIRE scene was improvised, now you change your tune. In the dozen Brando bios I have read (also books by and about Kazan and Schulberg)only one says these scene was a combination of what Schulberg wrote and what Brando and Steiger allegedly improvised .

[@GatorGirl04]

LOL...I wave my white flag in complete and utter defeat and stand corrected. The script was complete. Why so uncouth though? Name calling really? You choose to respond directly, rather peremptory, and I responded in kind. All I was stating is that I hope you employ the same vigor and dictaorialness with every being or outlet that perpetuated this egregious falsehood you felt so compelled to lambast some anonymous "moron" on youtube about it. #TuneNotChanged This scene is still brilliant and the ENTIRE cast and crew deserve credit for it. Mr. Schulberg won an Oscar for it...what more do you want?

[@gonfalon]

Sttll the best. Often imitated, often parodied, but never equaled!

[@BoSoxFink]

The music really adds so much to this scene and it really makes you feel bad for Charlie in the end. His faces in this scene and knowing he was about to die with the music, is truly heartbreaking. As great as Brando was in this scene, Steiger was just as good.

[@Gunners_Mate_Guns]

Two masters onscreen at once, and BOY do they both deliver. It just doesn't get much better.

[@thanx4life]

These summer vacations i've been seeing all classic movies, non-stop. And, as it had to be, I watched this one, and it was an amazing experience. Great. Movie.

[@alteregoash]

Grew up hearing these lines all my life. Finally got down to watch the movie and like all great movies it was nothing like I expected and was fantastic.

[@hotvision]

when the music swells at the end there, man that part always gets me. one of the best scenes in film history without a doubt.

[@ianwayayan2]

Great that you included whole scene. It gives context and added meaning to the "could have been a contender" segue.

[@flamingburritos]

I had missed this entire scene in my film class >.< thanks so much for uploading!

[@johnrunion]

this is one of the best ever movie scenes. it is the best acted ever scene in the history of movies. it resonates perhaps now more than ever. every generation since can relate to this scene.

[@jhvscs]

First saw this film two days ago and have watched this scene repeatedly since. The best scene ever!

[@Solly68]

Classic. Absolutely brilliant. The world has turned on him and left him where he is. He accepts it, but he isn't really okay with it. Superb.

[@Regina1962]

I have memorized this scene since I was a 12 year old girl, it is simply astonishing, to respond to the viewer, another beautiful piece of Brando acting at his best is an obscure film called One Eyed Jacks, it also will blow you away, his acting takes my breath away. Sheer perfection, the two of them.

[@bawoman]

my 2 favorite actors of all time..they and only they could pull of a scene like this.

[@Blactor]

I totally agree. I think he's SO underrated when people talk about this film, because they're so busy focusing on Brando. What a great actor he was. He's the only other actor in this film that doesn't look like he's acting.

[@bromixsr]

Heard they're doing a remake with Will Ferrell. I'm really looking forward to it. Now that I have you scared....this has to be one of the greatest scenes in movie history.

[@LLOOYYYDD]

bromixsr please don't do that, I actually googled "on the waterfront remake" just to make sure!

[@ImpersonationFilms]

BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR...PERIOD

[@skydark]

Just watching this scene makes me want to watch the movie yet another time. Movies become art so rarely that each moment is pure pleasure. Many actors today think it's all about realism, but by looking at this sample of acting it seems to be taking the expression of emotions to the edge where it hangs in the balance between reality and fiction. Reality is too rough and fiction too light; Brando was truly unbeatable at finding the perect tone. Just look at the pause and look before "it was you"

[@fanofclassics]

man what can i say about this scene has there ever come somebody close to this brilliant man i love brando~

[@pissedoffdude87]

Man i love this movie. It's good to know that once upon a time movies actually told a story and weren't all caught up in special effects and product placement

[@MrsBrando]

Absolutely..The fugitive kind and reflections in a golden eye are also great movies, in case you haven't seen them. He was one of a kind.

[@DwarfElfZombie]

For drama class I have to act this scene with another gent who is in my class. After doing some research on this, I am truly amazed at the whole movie. This is such a fantastic scene and I am honoured to play the role of Terry.

[@ravenrogers9985]

You guys have got to chill with the negative comments.

[@usi123]

Definitely one of the greatest acted scenes ever. Also, Rod Steiger's acting in this scene is very underrated.

[@immortalfrom90]

Haha I like them both so much great acting from both of them.They played Napoleon)) Brando in Desiree and Rod in Watterloo.Rod is awesome!RIP

[@kemplerbrave]

That of course was such a great scene and I hadn't seen it in a long time. Great!

[@JohnJoeMack]

Great stuff from two of the alltime greats !

[@wowbobwow37]

One of the best scenes ever. I recently did a blog on top ten scenes or moments in film and this easily made the cut!!

[@nihonbunka]

Rod Stieger is so good at setting people up to be cool. With Poitier in "In the Heat of the Night", with Coburn in a "Fistful of Dynamite," and here, he sets it up just right so that the pretty boy with the punch line is so memorable.

[@haznain786]

"You should have looked after me a little bit".. that line there in my opinion is amazing

[@gup1138]

Awesome. Incredible acting.

[@MrElchicho]

thanks you very much that really what i was looking for..and you are right its a very well acted scene with alot of emotions

[@moviebuff995]

My favorite part of this scene is from when he says "Before we get to where Charlie?" to when he pushes the gun away and leans back- just the disappointment and realization that takes place in that couple seconds is just heartbreaking

[@2020Sundevil]

It doesn't get any better than this.

[@TheSabrinaFairchild]

I coulda been a contender. >>>One of the greatest lines ever. Beautiful scene.

[@MichaelCorleone654]

Rod Steiger's performances as Charley is overlooked. He was just as good as Brando. Brando had more screen time to develop but what Steiger did in his few scenes was perfect. A model for modern actors. Every scene with him i was as convinced as the scenes with Brando. Love them both, incredible actors.

[@LordoftheJimmy]

This is quite simply the greatest scene in cinematic history.

[@trevorpmp]

Agree with everyone that this is not Brando's scene alone: there truly is awesome acting by both men. I would even day that the greater subtle form was needed and expressed by Steiger. The fumbling for words and justification... It was pure and classic acting at its very best.

[@giggsy4x]

Just listen how the music changes while getting closer to the climax... Let alone Brando's and Steiger's performances... immortal

[@DimebagsZombie]

This scene is epic, just epic. It's way up there with the cemetery scene from Night of the Living Dead. Two enthusiastic thumbs up!

[@flqc97915190]

another great piece of art

[@youtube.user123]

I was just about to put the times that Brando had some amazing acting in this scene...then I realized I was just writing down every time that Brando spoke. Legend.

[@leafyutube]

Classic Elia Kazan! Most of the realism in movies we see today is due to Kazan's brilliance.

[@appman1138]

brings me to tears,this is something

[@eternalfriendly2012]

Certainly, Brando is a legend and an icon of the twenty century. He should never die. RIP, the great Marlon Brando!

[@BoSoxFink]

What is so great and ironic about this scene is that Terry is talking about Charlie looking out for him in the past when he didn't do it, and now the fact that he is about to do just that. Charlie knows he is going to be killed but he accepts that fact to finally look out for Terry and protect him. There is so much at work in this scene, it just truly is a masterpiece!

[@immortalfootballer26]

The music that comes in at 3:40 is so moving, fits the mood of the scene so well.

[@ryanschmit3948]

Brando is amazing and this may have been the greatest performance of all time. With that said this scene is an example of how much actors need other actors. Rod steiger is there beat for beat matching him and they raise each others games in such a beautifully poetic fashion. If you wanna see brandos greatness matched in more of a modern time I suggest you see "Before the devil knows your dead" and pay attention to phillip seymour hoffman.

[@outkast1914]

Regardless of the origin or purpose or message of "On the Waterfront", this scene captures something that few films do: a sense of regret. Terry had a shot and trusted the people around him and lost it and has lost something in himself and knew that given the chance he might have been great.

[@blacksonne19]

Cant pull your eyes away from brando! He was hypnotic!

[@ilovetoparty1]

in a movie, it is only a true masterpiece if the actors make chemistry in a scene, This is probably the best example of two actors that had perfect chemistry, Rod Steiger should have won the Oscar just for this scene alone

[@ElMaruecan82]

The speech is so ICONIC that even its recitation by De Niro in Raging Bull is Iconic too

[@coolbrett]

well aren't you a fine connoisseur of movies. You like a black and white film. Kudos to you!

[@kemalmstf]

I grew up in Hoboken NJ,where most if not all of this movie was made,off river street,big longshoreman town those days,we use to climb in and open a REAL wood barrel of pickles,olives,guys use to chase us out,they couldnt catch sly fast 10 yr olds,runnin,jumpin over skids,pallets.

[@Waszma]

Right on man. Brando was known as the best for a reason. If you focus on his face throughout the entire scene, it's an amazing piece of acting. The unspoken lines....but they come through like a sledge hammer. He was a freak. How many can you put in his league? Maybe 3-4 others?

[@lombard605]

Legendary scene. Classic ! Rod Steiger is actually one year younger than Brando but he looked older.

[@rexkramer846]

This is a sad scene with a little brother looking up to his bigger brother and feeling lost. You can tell he wants his brother to help him and be someone to lean on because he wants to do the right thing.

[@ImYourHuckleberry_29]

The greatest. But Steiger's work here is always underplayed. His most magnificent moment as well in my humble opinion.

[@eternalfriendly2012]

Recently I saw this movie at MOMA on large screen (so lucky). Its' power has not diminished considering it was made in 1950s. A classic. Brando's performance remains true.

[@Satine8541]

Great performances from both Brando and Steiger. I can only compare it to watching DeNiro and Pacino in Heat. Love this scene.

[@smitheree]

Great scene Great film Great acting

[@clownpaint20]

Brando definitely set the bar really high with this movie

[@TheSoftballstar17]

ok so this is a classic, who in their right mind would dislike this

[@alfiejames8]

Marlon improvised as often as possible in films. Even the legendary speeches in Apocalypse Now were improvised, he'd talk for hours in character and Francis Ford chose the best bits in the edit.

[@7d7e7f7]

This is some damn fine acting.

[@deriter64]

Justifiably everyone referencing this scene concentrates on Brando. But it would not have worked as well without Steiger.

[@ImYourHuckleberry_29]

Yes. You read my mind. Steiger is SO good in it. So natural. When he looks for the words to say but fails after Terry puts the gun aside. Class.

[@alfiejames8]

Steiger was very good, but Brando is surely why this scene and film is so fondly remembered and deemed culturally important, inspiring generations of actors to come. Al pacino saw it back-to-back twice in the cinema because of his amazement at Brando.

[@Josquinquin]

Still riveting a half century later. Heartbreaking.. This film should be required viewing for anyone who thinks they can act. .. And then, most of them should walk away.

[@Sophie_kent]

Marlon Brando is a genious! The director, Kazan, told him to grab the gun and hit the brother. Brando.."felt" the scene to be different...instead he looks at his brother with disbelief and pulled the gun to the side. Absolutely wonderful. Look at his eyes and body language....that is natural acting.

[@toddfoster8705]

"one way ticket to palooka-ville"... Brando fricking kills this.

[@13hehe]

@FrankieWoodside he WAS! He was the perfect foil to Brando's performance here, it's just perfect and flawless from both of them, a perfect scene and you can't ask for more from a movie scene really.

[@4567894321]

i saw this movie when it first came out... brando was terrific

[@NicosNicosNicosNicos]

About your last sentence: I remember reading an interview with the B&W cinematographer Henri Alekan who pointed out that lighing in colour film still has a very long way to go to reach the degree of subtlety achieved by previous black and white films -not ALL b&w films of course, but I found the point interesting.

[@SEABLUEMUSIC]

Notice the blinds in the rear window of the cab. This was put in because the whole scene was shot in the studio in half a car with excellent lighting and sound effects. Kazan was Brilliant !

[@Blactor]

Rod Steiger is so underrated in this film, IMO. A really great actor overlooked by the Brando hype. He's the other reason why this scene is so effective.

[@rtcmorgan]

Incredible scene for me. Every time that i see it.

[@pashuku]

I merely believe there will be actors like him in the future

[@unionguy36]

Steiger and Brando, two of the master craftsman of the acting profession, in a masterpiece performance. If you haven't seen this movie, do yourself a big favor. Borrow it, rent it, steal it, but see it.

[@parisad]

I absolutely LOVE Rod Steiger there. Actually he was amazing through the whole movie.

[@MyRocky1976]

I always cry at this part whenever I watch on the waterfront

[@rosarioingafox6638]

best movie EVER BRANDO AT HIS BEST! WE ALL FELT AT ONE TIME OR ANOTHER WE COULDA HAVE DONE BETTER Brando in this scene EPITOMIZES THIS

[@ASwordAndAKey]

What a genius Marlon Brando was: "I could have been a contender, I could have class" Just amazing...

[@johnbonaccorsi]

"It was you, Cha'lie." Heartbreaking.

[@justinheller1]

rod steiger.. so severely underrated, brando's 100% legend, steiger's so good.

[@ImYourHuckleberry_29]

Brando's signature scene. But Steiger was freakin awesome here. Great job by 2 masters.Even Anthony Hopkins has said how awe he was of Marlon in this scene.

[@cemer7543]

Just amazing

[@billieconnolly4071]

That was beautiful, i must watch the film.