Yes, I was blown away when I saw it for the first time last year. Great film!

I have nothing at all to add. OP, you said it all.

That scene in the cab gets me to this day. Been watching that movie for 30 years and everytime that scene gets me.

It was you Charley!

@movie_nazi said:

That scene in the cab gets me to this day. Been watching that movie for 30 years and everytime that scene gets me.

It was you Charley!

Don't you find that it inexplicably gets better each time?

@SueDNim said:

Don't you find that it inexplicably gets better each time?

Yes, but I chalk that up to getting older and softer.

Just saw for the first time. WOW! Amazing movie, especially for its time.

I usually don't get into older movies, b&w, but my God was this good.

My thoughts and impression during it were, "This has to be one of the greatest movies I've ever seen".

Actually, regarding "classics", I'd put this #1 ahead of what has usually been named in many lists- "Citizen Kane".

@Will Barks said:

Yes, I was blown away when I saw it for the first time last year. Great film!

Me too. "Blown away" is the perfect description. Exactly how I felt just watching it for the first time.

@Heisenberg12 said:

Just saw for the first time. WOW! Amazing movie, especially for its time.

I usually don't get into older movies, b&w, but my God was this good.

My thoughts and impression during it were, "This has to be one of the greatest movies I've ever seen".

Actually, regarding "classics", I'd put this #1 ahead of what has usually been named in many lists- "Citizen Kane".

Citizen Kane is a great film but it just don't do it for me like this film does. This film gets ya right in the gut. I'm sorry to hear that you don't watch many old B&W films. You are really missing out.

@movie_nazi said:

@Heisenberg12 said:

Just saw for the first time. WOW! Amazing movie, especially for its time.

I usually don't get into older movies, b&w, but my God was this good.

My thoughts and impression during it were, "This has to be one of the greatest movies I've ever seen".

Actually, regarding "classics", I'd put this #1 ahead of what has usually been named in many lists- "Citizen Kane".

Citizen Kane is a great film but it just don't do it for me like this film does. This film gets ya right in the gut. I'm sorry to hear that you don't watch many old B&W films. You are really missing out.

I'll try a few more. NxNW sounds like something I might like since I liked this.

"Right in the gut"

It's so good. Not a second wasted. I really was impressed at the slow reveal of everything as opposed to getting all that information in the beginning. The characters tell the story through a series of subtle clues and hints..It was really well written.

And that girl, omg, she was so darn beautiful, but also was a great actress and elevated the film!

That scene that was extra famous, I had read before, but never saw it on screen. It was much better than I ever could've imagined!

"What did I get? A one way ticket to Palookaville....I could have had class...I could've been a contenda...I could've been somebody....It was you, Charlie".

Wow. Just gut wrenching. I was affected by that scene (the most, and a couple of others, too) for several minutes after. And the intensity just kept going and barely let up. Can't say enough about how good I thought this was..

Elian Kazan was a great filmmaker. You might want to check out some of his other films. He really knows how to tug the heartstrings. But this film was just a perfect storm of great writing, great acting, and great directing. I don't give out too many 10/10s , believe you me. They don't call me the movie nazi for nuttin' but this film deserves it in spades.

On The Waterfront (1954) - 5 outta 5 stars

@movie_nazi said:

Elian Kazan was a great filmmaker. You might want to check out some of his other films. He really knows how to tug the heartstrings. But this film was just a perfect storm of great writing, great acting, and great directing. I don't give out too many 10/10s , believe you me. They don't call me the movie nazi for nuttin' but this film deserves it in spades.

On The Waterfront (1954) - 5 outta 5 stars

Thanks, I will check out more of his works.

I was surprised at IMDB, although it is ranked #136 or so there, many of the positive reviews had lots of downvotes. Maybe they just don't like b&w 50s or maybe some political stuff about the director, but then again it is IMDB, and lots of great movies have haters.

I can't imagine a 50s movie being better than this and found much of the criticism to be unfounded and inaccurate.

Keep in mind I didn't think I was going to like it that much, but I found the themes still relatable and timeless. I'd give it a 9.5/10 (5/5) also.

Yes, a lot of people will take it as a lefty propaganda and therefore downvote it. Some really sad people out there.