Rarely does a film director manage to make fifteen excellent movies. Kazan’s career was undoubtedly both unbelievable and controversial; however, he’s certainly a cinematic icon.
In this article, we’ll see 15 Elia Kazan movies, several of which are masterpieces. For a director who made only 21 films, one can deny that it’s genuinely impressive.
Without further ado, let’s see the 15 best Elia Kazan movies.
A Streetcar Named Desire
Leading cast: Marlon Brando, Vivien Leigh, Karl Malden, Kim Hunter
Writers: Tennessee Williams, Oscar Saul
Most important nominations: Oscars, BAFTAs, Golden Globes, Venice Film Festival, Directors Guild of America, Photoplay Awards
What’s A Streetcar Named Desire about: A fragile Southern belle moves in with her sister and brutish brother-in-law, leading to a clash of illusions and harsh realities. It’s about decay, destruction, and desire, but also about the difficult position women were in back in the day. It’s the first screen collaboration between Elia Kazan and Marlon Brando.
On the Waterfront
Leading cast: Marlon Brando, Karl Malden, Rod Steiger, Lee J. Cobb, Eva Marie Saint, Pat Henning
Writers: Budd Schulberg, Robert Siodmak, Malcolm Johnson
Most important nominations: Oscars, Venice, Bodil Awards, Bambi Awards, BAFTAs, Golden Globes, National Board of Review, Laurel Awards, New York Film Critics Circle Awards, Writers Guild of America
What’s On the Waterfront about: A washed-up boxer struggles with guilt and loyalty after witnessing corruption on the docks. He ultimately finds the courage to stand up against the mob controlling his world. When it comes to the Elia Kazan controversy, many consider that the leading character is actually Kazan.
East of Eden
Leading cast: James Dean, Jo Van Fleet, Raymond Massey, Julie Harris, Burl Ives, Richard Davalos
Writers: Paul Osborn, John Steinbeck
Most important nominations: Cannes, Oscars, BAFTAs, Golden Globes, Photoplay, Bodil, Jussi Awards
What’s East of Eden about: Spanning generations in California’s Salinas Valley, it parallels the biblical Cain and Abel story through two rival families. It’s about jealousy, morality, and the struggle for love and acceptance.
Viva Zapata!
Leading cast: Marlon Brando, Anthony Quinn, Jean Peters
Writers: Edgecumb Pinchon, John Steinbeck
Most important nominations: Cannes Film Festival, Oscars, BAFTAs, Golden Globes
What’s Viva Zapata! about: The story of Zapata’s rise from peasant farmer to revolutionary leader. It explores power, betrayal, and the cost of staying true to the people. It’s Brando’s second of three Elia Kazan movies.
A Tree Grows in Brooklyn
Leading cast: Dorothy McGuire, James Dunn, Peggy Ann Garner, Joan Blondell
Writers: Frank Davis, Tess Slesinger, Anita Loos, Betty Smith
Most important nominations: Oscars, Photoplay, National Board of Review
What’s A Tree Grows in Brooklyn about: A poor but hopeful girl grows up in Brooklyn at the turn of the 20th century. It’s a coming-of-age tale about resilience, family, and dreams amid poverty.
Gentleman’s Agreement
Leading cast: Gregory Peck, Dorothy McGuire, Celeste Holm, Anne Revere, John Garfield, Dean Stockwell, June Havoc
Writers: Elia Kazan, Laura Z. Hobson, Moss Hart
Most important nominations: Venice, Oscars, Golden Globes, New York Film Critics Circle Awards, Photoplay
What’s Gentleman’s Agreement about: Elia uses a trick to expose hidden antisemitism in postwar US via a journalist who pretends to be Jewish. Through this character, the personal hypocrisy and societal prejudice are revealed.
America, America
Leading cast: Stathis Giallelis, Frank Wolff, Elena Karam
Writers: Elia Kazan
Most important nominations: Oscars, San Sebastián International Film Festival, Golden Globes, Directors Guild of America, Cahiers du Cinéma
What’s America, America about: A young Greek man dreams of escaping Ottoman tyranny to immigrate to the US. His journey tests his endurance, identity, and vision of freedom. When it comes to a list called Elia Kazan best movies, this one is underrated.
Baby Doll
Leading cast: Carroll Baker, Karl Malden, Mildred Dunnock, Eli Wallach
Writers: Tennessee Williams
Most important nominations: Oscars, BAFTAs, Golden Globes, New York Film Critics Circle Awards, Writers Guild of America
What’s Baby Doll about: A very young bride is caught in the middle during a feud between her husband and his rival. It’s a darkly comic look at lust, manipulation, and Southern decay. This film sparked controversy because of the teenage bride, but it simultaneously got critical acclaim.
Splendour in the Grass
Leading cast: Natalie Wood, Warren Beatty
Writers: William Inge
Most important nominations: Oscars, BAFTAs, Golden Globes, Photoplay, Laurel, Directors Guild of America
What makes Splendour in the Grass unique: Two young lovers in 1920s Kansas are torn apart by societal pressures and family expectations. It explores repression, heartbreak, and the struggle between passion and conformity. As in most Elia Kazan movies, this one also addresses important societal struggles.
A Face in the Crowd
Leading cast: Patricia Neal, Andy Griffith
Writers: Budd Schulberg
Most important nominations: Directors Guild of America, National Film Preservation Board
What makes A Face in the Crowd unique: A drifter becomes a media sensation, rising to power through charisma and manipulation. The film warns about celebrity culture and corruption.
Pinky
Directors: Elia Kazan directed this one with John Ford.
Leading cast: Jeanne Crain, Ethel Barrymore, Ethel Waters, William Lundigan
Writers: Elia Kazan, Cid Ricketts Sumner, Philip Dunne, Dudley Nichols, Jane White
Most important nominations: Oscars, Writers Guild of America, Photoplay
What makes Pinky unique: A light-skinned Black woman passing as white faces racism, identity conflict, and moral choices in the segregated South.
Wild River
Leading cast: Montgomery Clift, Lee Remick, Jo Van Fleet
Writers: Paul Osborn, Borden Deal, William Bradford Huie
Most important nominations: Berlin International Film Festival, National Board of Review, National Film Preservation Board
What makes Wild River unique: A government agent sent to clear land for a dam project clashes with a proud, elderly matriarch who refuses to leave.
Boomerang!
Leading cast: Dana Andrews, Jane Wyatt, Lee J. Cobb
Writers: Fulton Oursler, Richard Murphy
Most important nominations: Oscars, Cannes, New York Film Critics Circle Awards
What makes Boomerang! unique: A prosecutor risks his career to defend a man falsely accused of murdering a priest. Based on a true case, it highlights justice, truth, and political pressure.
Panic in the Streets
Leading cast: Richard Widmark, Paul Douglas
Writers: Edward Anhalt, Edna Anhalt, Richard Murphy, Daniel Fuchs, Philip Yordan, John Lee Mahin
Most important nominations: Oscars, Venice, Writers Guild of America
What makes Panic in the Streets unique: A doctor and police captain race to track down a criminal infected with the plague before an epidemic spreads.
Man on a Tightrope
Leading cast: Fredric March, Terry Moore, Gloria Grahame, Cameron Mitchell
Writers: Neil Paterson, Robert E. Sherwood
Most important nominations: Berlin International Film Festival
What makes Man on a Tightrope unique: A circus troupe secretly plans a daring escape from behind the Iron Curtain. It’s a suspenseful tale of courage, defiance, and the will to be free.
Final Words on Elia Kazan Movies
Two things will forever be fastened to this director. One, no one can deny that he remains a cinematic master. Two, the eternal question, “Was Elia Kazan a communist?” Yes, he was a member of the Communist Party USA, but that’s irrelevant regarding his work.
Almost all Elia Kazan movies are proof that he is one of the most revolutionary, authentic, and artistic filmmakers. His films are still relevant, even decades after they were made, which showcases his extraordinary talent and craft.
Which Elia Kazan film is your favorite? Feel free to share it below in the comment section!
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