The Warriors (1979)

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 (novel), David Shaber (screenplay)

Stars:

Michael Beck, James Remar, Dorsey Wright

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

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.

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Plot Keywords:

new york city | street gang | disc jockey | warrior | one night | 

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Taglines:

These are the Armies of The Night. They are 60,000 strong. They outnumber the cops three to one. They could run New York City. Tonight they're all out to get the Warriors.

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Genres:

Action | Crime | Thriller

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for violence and language

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

9 February 1979 (USA)

Also Known As:

Les guerriers de la nuit

Filming Locations:

Breezy Point, Queens, New York City, New York, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$4,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$3,529,675, 11 February 1979, Limited Release

Gross USA:

$22,490,039

Company Credits

Production Co:

Paramount Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

92 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The television version started with a day shoot at Coney Island with Cleon and his girlfriend (played by Pamela Poitier). The producers cut this scene stating that the only day scene should be at the end of the film after a night of horror.

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Goofs

When all the gangs are running after Cyrus gets wasted, The Warriors all meet up by an old fence to escape. When you look at The Warriors, there is another gang member standing with them, a man in purple, waiting to leave with them.

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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.

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Connections

Referenced in Grand Theft Auto IV: The Lost and Damned (2009)

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Soundtracks

Last of an Ancient Breed
Composed by Desmond Child
Performed by Desmond Child and Rouge

User Reviews

A Coney gang accused of murder is pursued by violent urban tribes through N.Y.

The gangs of New York reunite in Riverside Drive Park, there a leader is murdered and the Warriors (Michael Beck, James Remar,Wright, Brian Tyler, among others) are accused of crime (Roger Hill). When they attempt to make their way home are pursued by all weird bands in rare dress as the Baseball Furies, Punks, Lizzies and several others. While a gang's female (Deborah Van Valkenburgh) is recruited and falling in love with the leader (Michael Beck). They must return Coney Island throughout a surrealist city transformed into a phantasmagoric labyrinth full of urban tribes and finally confronting a nasty gang leader (David Patrick Kelly).

This exciting picture packs noisy action, thrills, tension ,suspense, fights and lots of comic book style violence. It's a dangerous trip of heroic dimensions , as it's said that turns out to be a special version from ¨Anabasis¨ by Xenophon or ¨Back the ten thousand¨, a known epic Greek. Filming completely on New York locations at night with superb photography by Andrew Laszlo. Screeching and stirring musical score in the 70s style by Barry De Vorzon. Lavishly produced by Joel Silver , Lawrence Gordon, Frank Marshall, three future successful producers. The motion picture is stunningly directed by Walter Hill who subsequently achieved several hits such as ¨Hard times¨, ¨The driver¨, ¨Streets of fire¨, ¨Long riders¨, ¨Crossroads¨ and ¨Red Heat¨, among them. The flick will appeal to action movies fans and Walter Hill enthusiasts. Rating : Better than average. Well worth watching.