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The Warriors

The Warriors

List Price: $14.99
Your Price: $11.24
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Rating: 4 stars
Summary: The Warriors is a gang-fighting chase through New York City.
Review: Based on the novel by Sol Yourick, The Warriors takes place in 1970's New York City, where theme gangs rule the streets. The arch-gangster Cyrus, leader of the Gramercy Riffs, has called a meeting of all the major gangs of the city to discuss the take over of New York. While this meeting is taking place however, Cyrus is shot from the crowd, and panic ensues as the police close in. The assasin is seen by a member of "The Warriors", a gang from Coney Island, and he in turn tells the enraged Riffs that it was the Warriors who did the shooting.

What follows is a surreal, nightmarish escape through the streets and subways of New York City for the remaining Warriors, who must avoid both police and rival gangs if they are to make the almost 100 mile trek back to Coney Island.

The Warriors is a suspenseful, action film, with great 70's camp value for the "theme gangs" featured, such as the roller skating gang, and the "Baseball Furies". Not to mention the hair and clothing styles of the mid 1970's. END

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Stylish cult classic
Review: It is difficult to take Walter Hill's 1979 classic "The Warriors" seriously today. Ostensibly a picture about various street gangs in New York City, the movie paints a rather quaint, almost cartoonish portrait of crime in the Big Apple. I knew from the start the movie wasn't going to give us a gritty interpretation of the thug lifestyle. Why? A gang traveling to a big summit in the Bronx takes time out of their busy schedule to purchase and then feed subway tokens into the turnstile so all the members can board the train. How's that for a big, bad group of street goons? I imagine now that a gang doing this would be marked for extermination just on the principle of the thing. Still, that doesn't mean "The Warriors" isn't entertaining; it is, massively so. It's so entertaining, and made such a big splash at the time, that Italian filmmakers began ripping it off in their low budget films. "The Bronx Warriors," for example, contains several scenes obviously lifted from this movie. The only difference is that Hill's movie manages to work despite its flaws while the Italian effort looks unconvincingly cheesy. Whatever your take on this movie, we must admit it has been influential.

The plot is simplicity itself. A gang from Coney Island called the Warriors gets an invite to attend a massive rally twenty-seven miles away. All the big gangs in the city will be there, including the Riffs, the most powerful band of street thugs in New York. The leader of the Riffs, Cyrus, plans to consolidate the various crews of street criminals under his benevolent rule. Through a mix of charisma and charged oratory-lots of "can you dig it" thrown around for the benefit of the goons-Cyrus brings the crowd to its feet. Unfortunately for him and for the Warriors, Luther (David Patrick Kelly), with his gang called the Rogues, assassinates Cyrus in the middle of his speech. In the resulting chaos the Warriors take the blame for the murder. Even worse, the leader of the Warriors, Cleon (Dorsey Wright) falls in the resulting melee. The rest of the Warriors make a run for it, now with Swan (Michael Beck) leading the gang. Every street thug in the city wants a piece of the Warriors, especially the Riffs. Swan and his crew must make it back to Coney Island before falling prey to the Turnbull AC's, the Lizzies, the Orphans, the Baseball Furies, the Boppers, the Rogues, and a hundred other gangs big and small. Too, the men in blue wish to ask the Warriors a few questions about Cyrus's sudden demise.

The rest of the film recounts the Warriors' journey home. Their efforts center on the subway, but everyone else knows this is the method the hunted crew will take. Every time the Warriors finally get on a train, some incident arises that stops them cold. A fire on the track forces the crew to make their way to the next train on foot, opening them up to the murderous retribution of the other gangs. In one neighborhood, our heroes run up against a "minor league" gang called the Orphans and a mouthy harridan named Mercy (Deborah Van Valkenburgh), and must battle their way free. An encounter with the cops at the subway forces the Warriors to split up. Eventually, a few of the members fall prey to other gangs, to the police, or narrowly escape doom at the hands of knife and gun wielding women. As if things couldn't get worse, a radio disc jockey (Lynne Thigpen) sends out artfully coded messages about the location of the Warriors, thereby urging other thugs to join in the free for all. Will the surviving members of the Warriors get home in the end? And will it really matter if they do?

Xenophon's "Anabasis," the tale of a band of Greeks caught behind Persian lines that had to battle their way back home, forms the basis of Hill's "The Warriors." Everything from naming the king of the gangs Cyrus to the final showdown on the beach comes right out of this ancient Greek text. Most viewers won't know this of course (I didn't at first; I read it somewhere), but would be content to merely sit back and watch the antics unfold. You've got gang members dressed like baseball players with painted faces swinging bats in a park, the leader of the Orphans looks like Eric Bogosian with a hangover, and plot holes run through this movie like subway tunnels. The flaws in "The Warriors" are epic in scope. Why, for instance, doesn't the gang simply take a cab or steal a car and get home in a hurry? Are we to assume that a street gang has no money to hire a driver or the ability to hotwire an automobile? Some hoods these guys are! Too, I always thought New York City is the town that never sleeps. Well, the denizens of the Big Apple snoozed the night away when this film was made. No one appears on the streets, no cars drive by, and no one comes out of their apartment buildings to see what's going on. And if the police are so interested in stopping the Warriors, why not just stop the trains from running? It's to the film's credit that despite myriad plot problems, "The Warriors" still works.

The DVD's picture transfer looks great. Unfortunately, it is a Paramount release with only a trailer as an extra. That's right; no commentary, interviews, behind the scenes fun, or anything else diehard fans would like to see. While I can't say this is my favorite movie, many people swear by it. It's another example of the larger problem with Paramount's DVD department. "The Warriors," despite Paramount's lack of attention, is a must have for fans of cult classics.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: classic
Review: This film brings back some wicked good memories... I give it 4 stars for content, (music, cast, story) and an extra star for the memories. Is it an award winning dialogue filled film with award winning performances? No, but it was well made and when you want to go back to the late 70s early 80s jump in your time machine(dvd player) and pop in this film , it is a way of time traveling back to this time period and rewatching how it was.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: This is a classic!
Review: I remember watching this movie over and over again when I was a kid. I even have the laserdisc. Now I'm glad it's finally coming out on DVD!

"The Warriors" is a story about the street gang subculture in New York, circa the early 1980's. The point of focus is a street gang called "The Warriors", who were unfairly blamed for a rival gang member's death and who must fight their way back home amidst a "jungle" of gangs out to get them (e.g. the bat-wielding "Baseball Furies") Many gang members, fratmen and other tough guy "wannabes" will find something in this film they can relate to: from the feeling of loyalty, of being social outcasts, bravery and the like. Particularly powerful non-fight scene: when the Warriors board a train, encounter a group of obviously high society teenagers out having a good time. The exchange of looks, body movements and the like, until the time the "socs" step out, conveys a lot.

Based on the novel by Sol Yurick, the film features what'r probably the best performance of Michael Beck. Why only 4 stars? Well, for a film of this age, I would have expected more extra features, i.e. interviews with cast perhaps. Still, this is an excellent collectible particularly for the film's cult following. Now I wish they also come out with "The Wanderers", another cult fave of mine!

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: A CULT CLASSIC
Review: In the late 1970's and 1980's, while most people were going to midnight movies to see The Rocky Horror Picture Show, my friends and I were going to see "The Warriors". We were every bit as enthusiastic as the fans of Rocky Horror were in reciting lines and bringing props. It was all in tribute for one of the great cult movies of the times. Sadly The Warriors hasn't had the staying power of other cult films but remains a favoite of mine to this day.

The plot is simplistic and merely a means to set-up the fights between rival gangs. The Gramercy Riffs, the largest gang in NY, calls a meeting in the Bronx for all the gangs to attend. Each is to send nine members of their gang to attend the summit and a truce is declared. Cyrus, leader of the Riffs has a plan to organize all of the gangs into one large gang to take over the city. But not everyone likes the idea. Cyrus is shot by Luther (David Patrick Kelly), the leader of the Rogues. One of the Warriors witnesses the shooting and the Rogues lay the blame on the Warriors.

The Cops arrive in force and the hundreds of gangbangers flee the meeting place. The Riffs send out the word that the Warriors shot Cyrus and now every gang in the city is looking for them. To make matters worse, the Warriors leader, Cleon, is killed leaving Swan (Michael Beck) as the War Chief. The Warriors now have to find a way to get home to Coney Island as every gang is "looking to bust their heads". Swan's authority is challenged by Ajax (James Remar) who thinks he should be leader. Meanwhile the streets are infested with gangs such as the Turnbull ACs, The Orphans, The female "Lizzies", and the surreal Furies, who wear baseball uniforms, paint their faces, and carry baseball bats.

The Warriors prove their toughness and resourcefulness as they head for a final showdown with The Rogues on the beaches of Coney. This was preceded by one of the film's great cult moments when the Rogues Leader Luther puts bottles on the ends of his fingers, clicking them together and screaching out "Warriors, Come out and Play!" Needless to say this one of the great "play along" moments for viewers at midnight shows.

The film was widely condemned at the time for its violence and it was a popular film among gang members which often led to fights in the theaters. But the violence seems rather tame compared to today's Assault rifle-toting gangs. Rather than gritty realism Walter Hill gives us a movie that is part old-time western, and part modern day fable, not unlike Hill's "Streets of Fire" made a few years later.

Beck and Remar both give outstanding performances as they bicker and battle over control of the gang but David Patrick Kelly steals the show as the devious, cackling leader of the Rogues.

Word comes now that a re-make is slated for 2006 with Tony Scott as director. Scott has directed such action films as "Man on Fire", "Enemy of the State", "The last Boy Scout", and "Beverly Hills Cop 2". He certainly has his work cut out for him in re-making this classic cult film.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Surreal
Review: Especially noteworthy was the constant dialogue and interaction between the characters which brought you into the movie to experience the full effect. Beyond the legendary score and choreography, what was moving for me was the constant development and growth of the characters as they move from one territory to another, learning from each experience. As they encounter different obstacles, you get a feel for each characters style and mode. Like a good western, in order to really appreciate the movie you have to go along with some of its unrealistic, although very dramatic aspects, like gangs on roller skates and bat carrying gangs in uniform. Some of the lines and hair styles which might have been appropriate and the latest fashion at the time immediately date the movie, which easily could have been tempered.

Rating: 1 stars
Summary: classic gang film , very weak DVD release
Review: I expected SO much more from this. I was very excited when i saw that my favourite film "The Warriors" was being released finally on DVD format. But when i finally saw it. the disappointment was huge. The movie itself is a gem. but the special features were lacking to say the least. In fact, the DVD offfers very little aside from the movie, They include the trailer at least. but as someone who had 3 or 4 versions on VHS(most of them edited for tv versions) the TV versions would show additional footage not seen in the original VHS release. Scenes such as the Gang meeting on the Boardwalk at the films opening were not included as "Deleted scenes" or as "Extra Footage" and these scenes bring a whole new outlook to the film , especially as they were some of the very few daytime scenes. I guess its good enough for now that it is finally out on DVD, but lets hope they release a proper anniversary or special edition DVD which gives this film the respect it deserves. be looking good!!

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: A Must-See Flick
Review: An incredibly dated, but compelling, stylish, and well done drama that has become a huge "cult flick" - whatever that means. I prefer to call it a "classic," and trust me, the sound bites from this thing - ("Can you dig it?!?" "Hey Warriors - come out and PLAY-AY!" etc...) are CLASSIC. In all fairness, the acting, dialogue, and drama in the movie are pretty good and there are some great, coreographed fight scenes that are among the best I've ever seen. The plot moves along at a fast pace and some good suspense is developed.

"The Warriors" certainly looks a little dated now, and the costumes and themes of the gangs stretch credibility (I mean, a gang that rides roller skates? A gang of bad-a$$ mimes? What's up with that?!?). However, "The Warriors" probably wasn't near as out of touch with the times in which it was released (1979), than people think today. It certainly hearkens back to a kinder, gentler age(?) when NYC street gangs like the Savage Nomads, Jolly Stompers, and Black Spades actually squared off toe to toe and FOUGHT eachother like MEN, with bats, knives, chains, and anything else they could get their hands on - instead of shooting into a crowd in the dark from 40 yards before turning tail and running away...

Based on the Sol Yurick book of the same name, itself, loosely based on the Classic, Xenophon's Anabasis. Fans of the movie would be very interested in checking out the incredibly-hard-to-find, infamous documentary, "80 Blocks from Tiffany's;" a gritty chroncile of NYC gangs and street life released the same year.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: YOU GOTTA LOVE IT !!
Review: I don't write to many positive reviews about much because I try to prevent people from making my same mistakes. But trust me when I and everyone else agrees that this is a great movie. I don't need to go into detail just look at all the positive reviews. All of us can't/are not wrong. Trust me !!!

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Noooooo! It was the Waaarriors!
Review: The Warriors are a mixed-race street gang from Coney Island. They travel 'far' to the Bronx to attend a sort of gang 'conference' arranged by one group that wants to consolidate gang power in New York and run the city. (Yeah, this was NYC in the 70s, not Guiliani-era.) But one gang member decides to just blow away the new leader and then pin the blame on the Warriors, for 'no reason'. The Warriors have to fight their way back to Coney Island all night, encountering gang after gang and avoiding the (totally inept) NYPD.

Great photography, great characters, tons of style and color make this a fun movie and a cult favorite. Apparently it provoked gang violence in movie theaters in 1979, yet it comes off as being truly from another time completely. And of course, there are plans to remake it. How thoughtful. Based loosely on Sol Yurick's novel.

The DVD looks pretty good, though I have a suspicion that with the impending remake (and Yurick's book back in print) we may well see a Deluxe version in the future. The Warriors deserve it, after all. The film hasn't looked better. There are some great scenes of the various gangs gearing up for the night to hunt down The Warriors. Lots of subway action, and the film takes place almost entirely at night, with dark blacks, and rich colors for the motley gangs.

David Patrick Kelly is brilliant as Luther, the crazed Rogue gang member who looks frighteningly like Geddy Lee of Rush on a bender. He has the famous 'Waaarriors...come out to plaaay-ay!' sequence where he clinks bottles together on his fingers over and over.' That's acting. The film also features another enduring quote, namely 'Can you diiiiiiiig it?!'

The Warriors is a lot of fun. It's colorful theater, and most of the extras were dancers and were able to pull off the fluid fight scenes. Also, the gangs are fun. The Baseball Furies look like a cross between KISS and the NY Yankees. And what's with the bee-colored gang with the roller-skating leader? You know you're in 1979...

Highly recommended. Make sure to have three empty beer bottles ready for the ending...


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