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Warriors, The
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| Year: |
1979
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Director: |
Walter Hill
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| Stars: |
Michael Beck, James Remar, Dorsey Wright, Brian Tyler, David Harris, Tom McKitterick, Marcelino Sanchez, Terry Michos, Thomas G. Waites, Deborah Van Valkenburgh, Roger Hill, David Patrick Kelly
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| Genre: |
Drama, Action, Thriller |
| Rating: |
  6 (from 6 votes) |
| Review: |
It's 1979 and Street gangs plague New York, but for one night they have all agreed to a truce. The charismatic and much respected Cyrus, leader of the Riffs has called upon every gang to put aside their turf battles for one night and attend a meeting in the Bronx.
We find ourselves attending this meet accompanying the Warriors - a nine strong group of leather clad street youths. Travelling all the way from Coney Island they are as puzzled and concerned as to the reason for this massive gathering as everyone else. As the tension mounts Cyrus addresses the masses delivering a speech that would change New York. He has realised that gang members now outnumber the NYPD! Cyrus calls for all the Gang's to unite, to form one gang - 20000 hardcore members - CAN YOU DIG IT!! The crowd go wild in the revelation that the City could be theirs, and as fast as a new future for New York has begun, it is ended, as Cyrus is assassinated. The leader of a psychotic gang called the Rogues is quick to finger the Warriors for the shooting, but we all know who is guilty. At this point all hell breaks loose as the police arrive just in time to provide the innocent Warriors the opportunity to escape! We join the Warriors in their battle to get home alive, being hunted by every Gang in the city.
The script is simple, but effectively captures the characters hopes and motives. A concentrated blend of action and attitude complemented with some unforgettable one-liners keep the entertainment level of this film very high. Although dated and a bit cheesy at times it is hard not to be absorbed into the dark yet strangely colourful world of the Warriors. Complete with roller skating baseball bat wielding clowns the film certainly nurtures the idea that gang warfare can be fun.
Top Quote: "It wasn't me - it was the Warriors"
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| Reviewer: |
Paul Singleton
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| Walter Hill (1942 - )
American director, writer and producer who specialises in action and Westerns. Entered the industry in 1967 as an assistant director on The Thomas Crown Affair, and in 1972 adapted Jim Thompson's novel The Getaway for Sam Peckinpah. Hill made his directing debut in 1975 with the Charles Bronson actioner Hard Times, but it was The Driver that introduced his hard, stylish approach to the genre. The Warriors has become a campy cult favourite, while The Long Riders was his first foray into Westerns, with Geronimo, Wild Bill and the recent TV show Deadwood following in later years.
During the eighties and nineties, Hill directed a number of mainstream hits, including 48 Hours and its sequel, comedy Brewsters Millions and Schwarzenegger vehicle Red Heat, as well as smaller, more interesting pictures like Southern Comfort, Streets of Fire and Trespass. Hill was also producer on Alien and its three sequels, contributing to the story of the middle two parts. |
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