Elia Kazan’s “On the Waterfront,” a powerful drama about corruption and redemption among longshoremen, does not explicitly feature the American Independence Day holiday. The film’s narrative unfolds across a broader timeline of labor disputes and personal struggles, with no scenes specifically depicting or referencing July 4th celebrations. Therefore, a direct connection between the film and this national holiday is not readily apparent within the movie’s plot.
While the film lacks a direct depiction of the holiday, thematic parallels can be drawn. The film centers on Terry Malloy’s struggle to break free from the corrupt system that controls the docks. This fight for individual liberty and integrity can be viewed as embodying the spirit of independence celebrated on July 4th. Malloy’s eventual testimony against the union boss, Johnny Friendly, represents a form of personal liberation and a rejection of oppression, echoing the nation’s historical rejection of tyranny.
