Review of The Warriors (1979) by Walter M — 29 Jun 2010

In "The Warriors," a truce has been brokered, allowing the gangs of New York City to attend a summit in the Bronx. While there, the charismatic Cyrus(Roger Hill) preaches unity but is gunned down. The killer(David Patrick Kelly) fingers The Warriors whose leader Cleon(Dorsey Wright) falls to the mob, just as the police arrive. Swan(Michael Beck) takes over, even though Ajax(James Remar) feels he should be in charge. Now, in order to get back to the safety of their native turf of Coney Island, they have to travel unarmed with every gang after them through hostile territory. Plus, the Yankees are in town...

"The Warriors" is a very entertaining movie that shows what can be done with the simplest of premises when it is well executed. I know there is a caption saying this is the future, but it feels so much of the past, without being dated, recalling the assassinations of the previous decade. There is also a great sense of urban geography and use of locations. It makes perfect sense that Union Square would be their transfer point. Almost a character in itself, the subway has changed cosmetically in the decades since but it remains mostly the same with the occasional service disruption still an obstacle to getting home. The Train to the Plane is a flash from the past, perhaps offering the characters a further escape from the conflict of their lives.