The Docks of New York (1928)
-
100% of critics liked it
(11 reviews) -
82% of users liked it
(515 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
- Directed By
- Josef von Sternberg
- Genres
- Drama
Unrated,
- In Theaters
- Sep 28, 1928 Wide
Critic Reviews
-
Dave Kehr, Chicago Reader
Sternberg suppresses direct emotional appeal to concentrate on something infinitely fine: a series of minute, discrete moral discoveries and philosophical realignments among his characters.
-
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.
See more critic ratings and reviews on Rotten Tomatoes
Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)
Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)
Featured Audience Ratings
Currently unavailable on Flixster
Also available on
Other Retailers
Not Available
Not Available
Not Available
Subscription Services
Not Available
Not Available
Not Available
Cast
-
George Bancroft
as Bill Roberts
-
Betty Compson
as Sadie
-
Olga Baclanova
as Lou
-
Clyde Cook
as "Sugar" Steve
-
Mitchell Lewis
as Third Engineer
-
Gustav von Seyffertitz
as "Hymn Book" Harry
-
Guy Oliver
as The Crimp
-
May Foster
as Mrs. Crimp
-
Lillian Worth
as Steve's Girl
