In the near future, a charismatic leader summons the street gangs of New York City in a bid to take it over. When he is killed, The Warriors are falsely blamed and now must fight their way home while every other gang is hunting them down.

Director:

Walter Hill

Writers:

Sol Yurick (based on the novel by), David Shaber (screenplay by) | 1 more credit »
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Popularity
1,417 ( 83)

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Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Michael Beck ... Swan
James Remar ... Ajax
Dorsey Wright ... Cleon
Brian Tyler ... Snow
David Harris ... Cochise
Tom McKitterick ... Cowboy
Marcelino Sánchez ... Rembrandt (as Marcelino Sanchez)
Terry Michos ... Vermin
Deborah Van Valkenburgh ... Mercy
Roger Hill ... Cyrus
David Patrick Kelly ... Luther
Lynne Thigpen ... D.J.
Ginny Ortiz ... Candy Store Girl
Mercedes Ruehl ... Policewoman
John Snyder ... Gas Station Man
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Storyline

Cyrus, the leader of the most powerful gang in New York City, the Gramercy Riffs, calls a midnight summit for all the area gangs, with all asked to send nine unarmed representatives for the conclave. A gang called The Warriors are blamed for killing Cyrus as he gives his speech. They now have to cross the territory of rivals in order to get to their own 'hood. The Warriors slowly cross the dangerous Bronx and Manhattan territories, narrowly escaping police and other gangs every step of the way. Written by Anthony Pereyra {hypersonic91@yahoo.com}

Plot Summary | Plot Synopsis

Taglines:

"That's him, the Warrior! He shot Cyrus! The Warriors did it!" See more »

Genres:

Action | Crime | Thriller

Certificate:

13 | See all certifications »

Parents Guide:

View content advisory »
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Did You Know?

Trivia

Filming sometimes had to move due to noise from crowds that came to watch. Some crowd members were forcibly removed from set. See more »

Goofs

Luther drops the gun after Swan throws the knife into his wrist. Swan then approaches Luther as he kneels wounded in the sand but doesn't pick up the gun. Logically, it would make sense to grab the gun so no other member of the Punks could use it. See more »

Quotes

[first lines]
Cleon: It's still on and we're goin'. Cyrus sent an emissary this afternoon to make sure. Now, Cyrus don't want anybody packed and he don't want anybody flexing any muscle. So, I gave him my word that the Warriors would uphold the truce.
[pause]
Cleon: Now everybody says that Cyrus is the one and only.
[pause]
Cleon: I think we better go have a look for ourself.
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Crazy Credits

In the original version, the end credits are followed by 3 minutes of black screen as the Joe Walsh song "In the City" plays. See more »

Alternate Versions

The German DVD is in 16:9. There also is an old VHS release from 1984 by CIC-Video, which is in full screen. Comparison shows that the VHS is not Pan & Scan but the DVD is matted. See more »

Connections

Featured in WatchMojo: Top 20 Improvised Movie Moments (2019) See more »

Soundtracks

No Where To Run
Composed by Brian Holland (as Holland), Lamont Dozier (as Dozier), Eddie Holland (as Holland)
Performed by Arnold McCuller
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User Reviews

 
Stylish, Exciting and Endlessly Fun
16 November 2019 | by Jared_AndrewsSee all my reviews

Explaining what makes "The Warriors" a good movie and one that is so enjoyable to watch is simple. It's the style.

The style announces itself loudly in the opening scene/credit sequence. Each credit appears in the custom text style then recedes into the depth of the screen like a departing train disappearing down a tunnel. Characters engage in excited exchanges about a deity-like leader, Cyrus, who commands the city's most powerful gang, the Grammercy Riffs.

Everyone is heading to see him deliver a speech. And, boy, what a speech it is. He captivates the crowd of thousands by using his striking charisma and booming baritone.

Then the gathering is abruptly interrupted by an act of violence for which the Warriors are falsely blamed. Acting on this inaccurate information, all gangs seek to capture and/or kill the Warriors. Now the Warriors must brave the dangerous streets on a 28-mile journey to safety.

Queue the action sequences. We see a lot of fights and running. A LOT of running. It's all delightful and stylish.

Director Walter Hill boldly leaves his fingerprints everywhere, shaping the aesthetic and creating something unusually special.

He creates a world of gang warfare that has undertones steeped in reality, but none of the characters of the world they inhabit ever feel real. The movie much more closely resembles a comic book. At times this is played subtly, and in other scenes Hill makes this readily apparent by pausing certain frames on screen to make them look like boxes from a comic book.

Dialogue continues the comic book theme. Characters say strange things that no one in real life would ever utter. The camera even moves in an unnatural manner. The action sequences contain exquisite energy, yet they feel completely rehearsed. Viewers are constantly fed reminders that they are watching a movie. It's never meant to be a realistic experience.

None of that is to say that this movie isn't enjoyable or that it is poorly made. It's purely a stylistic choice that Hill makes, and it's an overtly intentional one.

Within the first few minutes, you will have a pretty good sense if this movie is for you. If you like the vibe early, you'll enjoy the movie. At the very least, this one is worth a shot.


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Frequently Asked Questions

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

27 August 1980 (France) See more »

Also Known As:

Les Guerriers de la nuit See more »

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Box Office

Budget:

$4,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$3,529,675, 11 February 1979

Gross USA:

$22,490,039

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$22,490,984
See more on IMDbPro »

Company Credits

Production Co:

Paramount Pictures See more »
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Technical Specs

Runtime:

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1
See full technical specs »

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