The Docks of New York (1928)

100% of critics liked it
(9 reviews)
84% of users liked it
(444 ratings)

The smokily erotic ambience of Josef Von Sternberg's silent Docks of New York is best appreciated on a big theatrical screen--but only if the available print is at the very least second-generation. George Bancroft plays a two-fisted ship's stoker on shore leave. He saves Betty Compson from… More The smokily erotic ambience of Josef Von Sternberg's silent Docks of New York is best appreciated on a big theatrical screen--but only if the available print is at the very least second-generation. George Bancroft plays a two-fisted ship's stoker on shore leave. He saves Betty Compson from committing suicide; though the girl displays little gratitude, the inebriated Bancroft impulsively marries her. After he sobers up, Bancroft is prepared to set sail and leave his new wife waiting for him...perhaps forever. The story is secondary to the virtuosity of the direction and camerawork (one scene is framed in the eye of a needle!) Considered by many to be Von Sternberg's greatest film, Docks of New York is a prime example of the silent cinema at its zenith. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: Unrated, 1 hr.
Directed By: Josef von Sternberg
Genres: Drama

In Theaters: Sep 28, 1928 Wide
On DVD: Aug 24, 2010

Critic Reviews

Nick Pinkerton, Village Voice
In a way lost to contemporary social-work movies, von Sternberg's unsentimental poetic realism ennobles his lower-class protagonists through beauty. Classic.
Glenn Collins, New York Times
It fulfills their requirements, somewhat obscure to this reviewer, of rhythm, plasticity and unity. In simpler and more popular terms, it seems to be exceptionally good motion picture entertainment.
Variety Staff, Variety
It's a corking program picture, thanks to George Bancroft, a good story and Julian Johnson's titles.
Sean Axmaker, Parallax View
... a turn-of-the-century bowery answer to Sunrise, with a romantic idealism fighting its way out of hard-scrabble lives and resigned characters of the waterfront culture.
James Kendrick, Q Network Film Desk
visually evocative and narratively intriguing, such that even its generally terrible ending can't quite undermine the overall sense that you have just seen something profoundly of its time and ahead of it
Jeffrey M. Anderson, Combustible Celluloid
In other hands, this could have been a pretty ordinary dimestore romance, but Sternberg gives it depth and, as a result, greatness.
, TV Guide's Movie Guide
The Docks of New York is really a director's and cinematographer's picture if ever there was one and on that account it's nothing less than masterly.
Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
Seedy waterfront silent melodrama that sizzles with a smoky atmosphere.
George Wu, culturevulture.net
Ravishing mood and atmosphere, sensual photography

Read all 9 critic reviews

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Walter M

In "The Docks of New York," Bill Roberts(George Bancroft) is a stoker on board of a steamboat that is about to dock for a night in New York. As such, he has plans but is warned not to be late for the boat's departure in the morning. Those same plans hit a snag when… More
In "The Docks of New York," Bill Roberts(George Bancroft) is a stoker on board of a steamboat that is about to dock for a night in New York. As such, he has plans but is warned not to be late for the boat's departure in the morning. Those same plans hit a snag when Bill dives into the harbor to rescue Mae(Betty Compson) who just tried to kill herself. As she recovers her wits, they get to know each other. Just after he shows off his tattoos, she pops the question. "The Docks of New York" is an engrossing and lively film about people in the lowest rungs of life who are not so much given a reprieve, but just the barest glimmer of hope. At the start, Mae has given up on any possibilties for her future while Bill takes advantage of whatever fun he can find for himself, when he is not at his grueling job, to enjoy himself and forget everything else. All of which is set in a close knit community of people who look out for each other when they have nothing else.