Review of The Warriors (1979) by Juan C — 04 May 2011

"I just hate seeing anything go to waste.".

The cult classic worthy of all the love it acquires. Brilliant camerawork and visual style help bring this dystopian world to life. A lot of care and imagination has been taken to give all the gangs their unique attributes. Tension and atmosphere is at the forefront of this film. It is effectively one great big chase film, where the lead characters only slowly emerge as events unfold.

The ending on the beach acts as a great contrast to the dimly lit world we have followed the characters through. In fact even in this forced finale there is a complete lack or action as the characters converse with each other in a distantly dramatic way.

This can only be downgraded by the Directors Cut and its need to insert comic style imagery into the film. Not only is it at odds with the grimy feel of the dystopia, it comes off as some desire to capitalise on the current fad. And what on earth is the relevance of some myth to this story as explained in the framing device at the beginning of the film? It is ham-fisted and goofy. And that tracking shot with ordered dialogue!