Edge of the City

Released Jan 4, 1957

1h 25m

Drama

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Reviews

74%

500+ Ratings

Audience Score

Axel Nordmann (John Cassavetes) takes a job as a dock laborer and is continually harassed by his tyrannical supervisor, Charles Malik (Jack Warden). Malik knows a secret from Axel's past, forcing the young worker to endure his boss's torment. Eventually, Axel befriends Tommy Tyler (Sidney Poitier), an African-American co-worker with a managerial job. Tommy teaches Axel to respect himself. However, Malik, a racial bigot, is threatened by Tommy's confidence, and the situation turns violent.

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Jeff S

Few movies have ever filled me with so much rage. Poignant and powerful.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

02/07/24

Full Review

Mark B

Like almost all of Martin Ritt films, this is a fantasy. Racial harmony is still a fraught subject in America, so this film is more wishful thinking than a thinking film. Derivative of On the Waterfront, this film rolls out like a socialist play of the 1930's. I don't believe a frame of this film. Ritt directed some great films, Hud for one, with rings true, but this one, no.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

09/01/23

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Steve D

Frustrating but holds your interest because of the stars.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

07/08/23

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Audience Member

while the writing of this movie frequently feels awkward and the plot is lackluster, poitier's, cassavetes', and ruby dee's acting elevates the film from 'weird and bad' to 'weird and surprisingly good'. the film really makes no sense unless you understand axel to be a repressed gay man who falls in love with tommy - viewed through that lens, it's a tragic romance with disturbing undertones. the ending scene is very memorable

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/22/23

Full Review

Ken R

Respected producer David Susskind (All The Way Home) chose blacklisted stage actor Martin Ritt ("The Great White Hope") to helm this remake of his earlier TV production "A Man Is Ten Feet Tall" (Poitier also starred in that production) It was Ritt's first feature film and gained enough critical success (but not box-office) to kick start his long prestigious career. It's a thoughtful movie that was daring for its day in taking-on racial prejudice, strong mixed friendships, and as an examination of the physiologically scared in modern society. While it may not have fully outstripped its TV origins, this was a brave attempt to seriously expose oppressive, corrupt union groups, and open up the field of interracial relationships. It's a powerful movie that attempts to mimic the strength of "On The Water Front" and comes in a close second. Performances are strong all-round, and Joseph Brun's superb B/W cinematography (Odds Against Tomorrow" 59) captures all the gritty drama. New York Born but raised in Greece for his junior years, John Cassavetes, went on to direct highly unconventional feature films (of limited general appeal) attracting the attention of mainly experimental or avant-garde, uncommercial festivals – these mostly stared actor friends Peter Falk, Ben Gazzara or his wife Gena Rowlands or drinking buddies. He was known to star in several successful mainstream features but mainly to get money for his own productions. He was sadly an alcoholic.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

03/17/21

Full Review

Audience Member

Pretty good social drama from the 1950's that showcases good performances from John Cassavetes and Sidney Poitier. It's theme of corruption on the docks of New York is given an authentic realism with valid location shooting. It makes a decent attempt to show racism of the time. Though well done, I can't help but see what it is influenced by. The 1954 Oscar winner "On the Waterfront" tackles much of the same story. The Marlon Brando classic came first and was much better.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

02/09/23

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Martin Ritt

Director

John Cassavetes

Axel Nordmann

Sidney Poitier

Tommy Tyler

Jack Warden

Charles Malik

Kathleen Maguire

Ellen Wilson

Ruby Dee

Lucy Tyler

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Dave Giannini

InSession Film

Edge of the City is by no means perfect but manages a lovely character study without denigrating itself with pompous moralizing or forced sentimentality.

Feb 23, 2024

Full Review

Jonathan Baumbach

Film Culture

This is a rare film of high seriousness. Produced on a modest budget with a group of fine young actors, it represents a small step in the right direction.

Dec 13, 2021

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David Nusair

Reel Film Reviews

...an erratically-paced yet mostly watchable drama...

Rated: 2.5/4

Mar 20, 2021

Full Review

Emanuel Levy

EmanuelLevy.Com

Martin Ritt's impressive feature directing debut is a socially conscious drama, about union corruption, interracial integration, and moral integrity, well acted by John Cassavetes and Sidney Poitier.

Rated: B+

May 12, 2012

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Synopsis

Axel Nordmann (John Cassavetes) takes a job as a dock laborer and is continually harassed by his tyrannical supervisor, Charles Malik (Jack Warden). Malik knows a secret from Axel's past, forcing the young worker to endure his boss's torment. Eventually, Axel befriends Tommy Tyler (Sidney Poitier), an African-American co-worker with a managerial job. Tommy teaches Axel to respect himself. However, Malik, a racial bigot, is threatened by Tommy's confidence, and the situation turns violent.

Director: Martin Ritt
Production Co: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jan 4, 1957, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Apr 1, 2012
Runtime: 1h 25m

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