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Tuesday, November 15, 2005
On the Waterfront
A group of us gathered last Friday and watched the classic On the Waterfront. I think I was the only one that had seen it before. For me, it sparks all sorts of thoughts about the interface of the Church and the local community.
In one of the opening scenes, a longshoreman has died. He was supposedly about to testify against the corrupt labor union. A priest, Father Barry, tries to console the mourning sister, "If you need me, I'll be in the church." She angrily retorts, "Whoever heard of a saint hiding in a church?"
Later Father Barry gives this speech when another dockworker dies under suspicious circumstances. It serves as the moral tipping point for the story's protagonist, Terry.
GROUP SHOT—HATCH
Pop, Moose, Luke and the others stand near him. On the deck around the hold some seventy-five longshoremen have gathered, including Big Mac. Others look down from the dock and the loft. Terry is in the same position we left him.
FATHER BARRY (aroused) I came down here to keep a promise. I gave Kayo my word that if he stood up to the mob I'd stand up with him all the way. Now Kayo Nolan is dead. He was one of those fellows who had the gift of getting up. But this time they fixed him good— unless it was an accident like Big Mac says.
Pop, Moose, and some of the others glare at Big Mac, who chews his tobacco sullenly. Some of the others snicker "accident."
FATHER BARRY Some people think the Crucifixion only took place on Calvary. They better wise up. Taking Joey Doyle's life to stop him from testifying is a crucifixion— Dropping a sling on Kayo Nolan because he was ready to spill his guts tomorrow— that's a crucifixion. Every time the mob puts the crusher on a good man— tries to stop him from doing his duty as a citizen— it's a crucifixion.
CLOSE—ON TERRY
Voice of Father Barry continues.
FATHER BARRY And anybody who sits around and lets it happen, keeps silent about something he knows has happened— shares the guilt of it just as much as the Roman soldier who pierced the flesh of Our Lord to see if He was dead.
SHOT OF EDIE—ON DOCK
Listening, moved. Terry has come up behind her and stands nearby. She notices him but barely reacts. He listens intently to the Father's words.
CLOSE—ON TRUCK
TRUCK Go back to your church, Father.
INT—HATCH—DAY
FATHER BARRY (looking up at Truck and pointing to the ship) Boys, this is my church. If you don't think Christ is here on the waterfront, you got another guess coming. And who do you think He lines up with—
CLOSE—ON SONNY
SONNY Get off the dock, Father.
Sonny reaches for a box of rotten bananas on the dock and flings one down into the hatch.
CLOSE—ON FATHER BARRY
The banana splatters him, but he ignores it.
BACK TO SONNY—ON DOCK
Terry turns to him. Edie notices this and watches with approval.
TERRY Do that again and I'll flatten you.
SONNY What're you doing. Joining them—
TERRY Let him finish.
SONNY Johnny ain't going to like that, Terry.
TERRY Let him finish.
Edie looks at him amazed. Terry catches her eye, and then looks down, embarrassed at his good deed. They both turn to watch Father Barry.
CLOSE SHOT—CHARLEY
Near Johnny, watching Terry and then looking at Johnny apprehensively.
INT—HATCH—DAY
FATHER BARRY Every morning when the hiring boss blows his whistle, Jesus stands alongside you in the shape-up.
More missiles fly, some hitting the Father, but he continues:
FATHER BARRY He sees why some of you get picked and some of you get passed over. He sees the family men worrying about getting their rent and getting food in the house for the wife and kids. He sees them selling their souls to the mob for a day's pay.
CLOSE—ON JOHNNY FRIENDLY
Nodding to Barney. Barney picks up an empty beer can and hurls it down into the hatch.
INT—HATCH—DAY
It strikes Father Barry and blood etches his forehead. Pop jumps forward and shakes his fist.
POP By Christ, the next bum who throws something deals with me. I don't care if he's twice my size.
Some of the other longshoremen grumble approval.
FATHER BARRY What does Christ think of the easy-money boys who do none of the work and take all of the gravy? What does He think of these fellows wearing hundred-and-fifty-dollar suits and diamond rings— on your union dues and your kickback money? How does He feel about bloodsuckers picking up a longshoreman's work tab and grabbing twenty percent interest at the end of a week?
CLOSE—ON J.P.
J.P. Never mind about that!
CLOSE—OF SONNY—ON DOCK
Scowling. Terry, nearby, is increasingly moved by the Father's challenge.
FATHER BARRY How does He, who spoke up without fear against evil, feel about your silence?
SONNY Shut up about that!
He reaches for another rotten banana and is poised to throw it. Almost simultaneously, Terry throws a short hard right that flattens Sonny neatly. Edie is watching, a deeply felt gratitude in her eyes.
CLOSE—ON JOHNNY FRIENDLY AND TRUCK
A little way off .
TRUCK You see that?
Johnny presses his lips together but makes no sign.
CLOSE—ON TERRY AND EDIE
She moves closer to him. He barely glances at her, then continues listening to Father Barry.
INT—HATCH—DAY
FATHER BARRY You want to know what's wrong with our waterfront? It's love of a lousy buck. It's making love of a buck— the cushy job— more important than the love of man. It's forgetting that every fellow down here is your brother in Christ.
CLOSE—ON POP—MOOSE—LUKE—TERRY AND EDIE
As Father Barry's voice rises to a climax—
FATHER BARRY But remember, fellows, Christ is always with you— Christ is in the shape-up, He's in the hatch— He's in the union hall— He's kneeling here beside NolanÑand He's saying with all of you—
CLOSE—ON FATHER BARRY
FATHER BARRY If you do it to the least of mine, you do it to me! What they did to Joey, what they did to Nolan, they're doing to you. And you. And YOU. And only you, with God's help, have the power to knock 'em off for good! (turns to Nolan's corpse) Okay, Kayo? (then looks up and says, harshly) Amen.
Go out and find a copy of On the Waterfront as soon as you can.
Script
posted by Peter at 11:48 PM
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