Movies - The Warriors

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The Warriors is a 1979 film directed by Walter Hill about a gang fighting their way back home after being framed for the assassination of a gang leader. It is set primarily in New York City with a final scene taking place in Coney Island. It is based on the 1965 novel The Warriors by Sol Yurick. It also spawned a videogame of the same name in 2005.

Although the film uses real locations, it is an urban fable and not a realistic portrayal of contemporary New York City street life. The gangs are dressed in matching flamboyant uniforms, usually with a recognizable theme, which gives the film a comic book feel.

The subject matter of the film was controversial upon release and was linked to several incidents of gang violence at theaters.

The film has gained something of a cult status, largely due to its bizarre storyline and its strange costumes. As in A Clockwork Orange
, few of the gang members carry any weapon more dangerous than a baseball bat or knife, and most don flamboyant matching uniforms that today most would find hard to take seriously: face paint/mime makeup, baseball uniforms, wide-brimmed fedoras, as well as the Warriors' Indian costuming.

The closing theme song, "In the City," was by Joe Walsh of The Eagles.

The cast of the film includes Michael Beck as Swan, James Remar as Ajax, David Patrick Kelly as Luther (his debut film role), Lynne Thigpen as the radio DJ, and Sonny Landham and Mercedes Ruehl in minor roles.

The opening theme has recently appeared in the 2005 MTV Music Video Awards.

Plotline

Cyrus, leader of the Gramercy Riffs, declares a truce and calls a summit with the intention of uniting all of the New York City area gangs against the dwindling power of the NYPD. However, during his speech he is assassinated by Luther, leader of the Rogues. Luther subsequently frames the Warriors, getting the Warriors leader Cleon murdered by a few Riffs members (if you watch the movie, they only show Cleon being brutally attacked) and forces the rest of the gang to flee the conclave, which has since devolved into chaos. The Warriors make their way at night through sparsely populated subways, streets and alleys in New York City while running from and battling hostile gangs and the police. Along the way they lose members, split up, and gain a (sometimes hostile) female companion named Mercy who becomes involved with the second-in-command, Swan, all while trying to get home. The film ends after a final showdown with the Rogues at the protagonists' home turf of Coney Island. At the end, Swan throws a knife into the wrist of the Rogues' leader, disarming him. The Riffs have massed on the beach, and, having already learned the truth from an unnamed gang member, swarm (and presumably kill) the Rogues as the Warriors head off down the shore.

Violence in theaters

Shortly after the film's release, there was a flurry of press reporting incidents of teenage violence, including three murders, apparently related to the film's "incidiary" subject matter. Further media pressure prompted Paramount to remove advertisements from all print sources, though subway posters and film trailers were unaffected. When advertisements resumed after six days, the "inflammatory" images of the original ads were gone, the new ads consiting of the film's showtimes and reviews from reputable critics. (Pauline Kael of the New Yorker and Janet Maslin of the New York Times). Due to safety concerns, theater owners were relieved of their contractual obligations if they did not want to show the film and Paramount offered to pay costs for additional security and damages due to vandalism. Yet, most theaters continued to show the movie and enjoyed packed houses. A Boston theater manager said it was their most popular movie since My Fair Lady was released 15 years earlier.

The Warriors

The Warriors gang is based in the western neighborhoods of Coney Island, on the edge of Brooklyn. Their gang uniform consists of a red leather embroidered vest with the Warriors' logo on the back. The gang has an overall American Indian theme, and their logo consisting of a Indian head surrounded by flames. This theme is accented by the Indian-style bead necklaces and armbands worn by some members. Their main stomping ground and base turf is among the many amusement park areas of Coney Island, particularly the landmark that is Deno's Wonder Wheel, a now iconic symbol synonymous with Coney Island and The Warriors.

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Movies - The Warriors

Plotline

Violence in theaters

The Warriors

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