On the Waterfront (1954) 2.35pm, Saturday, BBC Two

‘’You don’t understand! I coulda had class! I coulda been a contender!’’ You want a masterclass in acting? Just watch Marlon Brando in his prime delivering his mesmeric, Oscar-winning performance as boxer Terry Malloy, the wellmeaning pug with a one-way ticket to Palookaville.

On The Waterfront cost $900,000 to lm and grossed almost ten million on its initial release. Kazan originally o ered the lead role to Frank Sinatra, a hot property again following his Oscar-winning turn in From Here To Eternity (1953), before Brando landed the role. Despite the quality of the part, Brando was initially reluctant to work with a director who had testi ed before the House UnAmerican Activities Committee, but eventually signed on to play the former boxer and longshoreman who makes a stand against his corrupt union bosses.

Marlon is incredible in the role, and well-supported by Eva Marie Saint, Karl Malden, Rod Steiger and nasty Union boss Lee J Cobb. Meanwhile Boris Kaufman is to be commended for his moody photography, while Leonard Bernstein delivers an excellent score.

When Brando rst saw the completed lm, he stormed out in disgust, refusing to speak to Kazan. ‘’I was so depressed by my performance I got up and left the screening room,’’ the actor recalled in his autobiography. ‘’I thought I was a huge failure and walked out without a word to him.’’ Gradually he changed his opinion (helped by a standing ovation at the Venice Film Festival). By the time Oscar night came around, Brando was delighted to bask in the glory of his rst Academy award. Nominated for 12 Oscars, On The Waterfront won eight, including Best Film. Watch out for the scene where Eva drops her glove, and Brando picks it up and puts it on his own hand: a spur-of-the-moment idea.

★★★★