It’s no secret that I am a fan of dystopia- Blade Runner, Mad Max, The Road Warrior, Escape from New York, Book of Eli, all movies that show the breakdown of society, and how people are going to get through it. Classic stuff. It’s worth noting that most dystopian films and stories are also science fiction. Here’s one that isn’t, but is exceptional.
Based on the novel by Sol Yurick, which was based on the classic “Anabasis” by Greek Military leader and philosopher Xenophon, the Warriors tells the story of a group of young men who are trapped behind enemy lines (in other gang territories) and have to get home. After being invited to a meeting of all the top gangs across New York city, and told “no weapons”, the Warriors find themselves the target of the Gramercy Riffs, the top gang in the city. The Riffs believe that the Warriors killed beloved Riff leader Cyrus (The Warriors were, in fact, framed), as he appealed for gang unity across the city. Can you dig it?
The Warriors are forced to travel mostly on foot, 30 miles back to their territory of Coney Island, starting off in the Bronx. They have to run, and duck a number of gangs along the way as the Warriors pass through areas controlled by those gangs including The Rouges (who framed them and are chasing them the entire time), the Turnbull ACs, the Orphans (who were not invited to the meeting and headed up by Paul Greco playing their leader), the Baseball Furies (who of course have baseball bats), the Punks, and the Lizzies (a dangerous, all-girl gang).
When they finally make it back to their beloved Coney Island, the Rogues (headed up perfectly by David Patrick Kelly as the psychotic Luther) are waiting for them. The Warriors are lead by Swan and Ajax, played by expertly by Michael Beck and James Remar, in a couple of genius casting decisions. Sidenote: Remar is one of my favorite actors who doesn't have a lot of name recognition. Here he is a violence-loving, head-busting turd. He's great.
The tension and violence are more atmospheric than realistic throughout the entire film (like a bad dream might be), but not all the Warriors make it out alive. With no weapons, no plan, no transportation, and no help, they have to navigate New York City at night relying on wits, fighting skills and just plain guts. The film was not expensive ($4 million in 1979) but did well at the box office, despite violence breaking out at some of the screenings. Critics derided the film at the time, but it has since become a cult classic with a strong following, and some critics re-evaluation their estimation of the film’s worth, much like what happened with Buckaroo Banzai. Funny how that works.
File under: if you know, you know. At the end of the film David Patrick Kelly playing Luther provides an impromptu moment that has become one of the film’s signature scenes.
File under: if you know, you know. Lynn Thigpen plays a DJ that, throughout the night, offers the other gangs coded messages about the Warriors’ whereabouts, via her radio broadcasts. If you have ever seen an episode of Carmen SanDiego, you will recognize her voice.
File under: if you know, you know. President Ronald Reagan was said to have been a fan of the film, and called Michel Beck to tell him so.
IMDB gives Warriors a 7.5/10. Nah. It’s 8/10 minimum, and maybe a skosh more.
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