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still Edge of the City (Martin Ritt, US 1957)

Edge of the City

Martin Ritt / US, 1957 / 85 min.

Black and white in the New York docks, in the late 1950s. Tommy (Sidney Poitier), a docker with a social conscience, confronts the corrupt union leader who has been extorting his white co-worker Axel (John Cassavetes). Martin Ritt’s sober debut film stays long in the memory.

poster Edge of the City (Martin Ritt, US 1957)
Axel, who thought he’d found his place in the army, deserts and starts working illegally at the New York docks, but has to pay off corrupt foreman Charley. Axel becomes friends with Black dock worker Tommy, who stands up to Charley for him.

Details

Director

Martin Ritt

Production year

1957

Country

US

Original title

Edge of the City

Length

85 min.

Language

English

Subtitles

NLD

Format

35mm

Part of

Sidney Poitier & Denzel Washington

Sidney Poitier was Denzel Washington’s shining example. The actors were good friends, but never played in a film together. This summer, Eye brings them together on the big screen for the first time by showing the best of their films.

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still In the Heat of the Night (Norman Jewison, US 1967)
still Edge of the City (Martin Ritt, US 1957)
still Edge of the City (Martin Ritt, US 1957)
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  • 13 October 2024 — 5 January 2025

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    American Avant-Garde Film in the 1960s

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