Michael Beck, Deborah Van Valkenburgh, James Remar

A New York street gang fights its way to Coney Island in this stylized, poetic thriller.

Flixster Users

88% liked it

61,523 ratings

Critics

93% liked it

29 critics

R, 1 hr. 30 min.

Directed by: Walter Hill

Release Date: February 9, 1979

Invite friends to see

DVD Release Date: January 16, 2001

Get It:

Stats: 6,330 reviews

Get movie widget Recommend it Add to Favorites

Your Rating



clear rating
Share on: Facebook Twitter

Flixster Reviews (6,330)


  • October 24, 2009
    Very simple, very enjoyable. The Warriors focuses on a gang being framed for murder, and trying to make their way home. No wonder they would go on to make a game of this. Each stop is like a new level with a different gang to fight. Luckily the characters are also nicely develope...( read more)d upon, even if some are shunned to the back. The soundtrack and the feel are all a product of their time, and it works a charm. The grim New York settings may be dark, but each one has it's own set of characteristics. Fast and furious, without being crass, gratuitously violent or exploitative.
  • September 18, 2009
    Can you dig it?
  • June 23, 2009
    I saw the director's cut DVD, not the original. As far as I can tell, I think the only changes that were made were in the transitions between scenes. In the special features they talked about the white line that would wipe side to side or diagonally across the screen to cut bet...( read more)ween scenes. The white line looked like the space between comic book frames and was intended to suggest that this story wasn't meant to be taken seriously, that it was taking place in a kind of fantasy world. It was meant to say, "meanwhile" in this other location or with these other characters this is what is happening. The director's cut further makes the connection between this movie and comic books. A frame freezes and becomes an illustration, then zooms out to show a whole comic book page, and zooms back in to a new frame that becomes live action again. The illustrations are kind of in the style of A Scanner Darkly, or Sin City, or the TV show Heroes. I don't know how people who love the original have reacted, but I liked this stylish touch. Visually this movie has a strong connection to comics and it was made in '79 long before any other movie treated the comic book style like this.

    Now this movie wasn't based on a comic book. It was based on a novel that itself was based on an ancient Greek story. If I heard the director, Walter Hill, correctly in the special features it is based on the legend of Xenophon. Lynne Thigpen as the DJ provides the Greek chorus. Van Valkenburg as Mercy, Mercedes Ruehl as the undercover cop, and the all girls gang the Lizzies are the sirens that distract the soldiers from their mission. A lot of the classic features of Greek mythology are present. And I love, Love, LOVE that concept!

    So the plot is simple and yet profound sometimes too. Hundreds of young men from different New York street gangs have been called to a park in the Bronx to hear Cyrus speak. Cyrus is a legend and leader of the largest gang, the Gramercy Riffs. He messianically speaks about joining all the gangs into one gang that can own the city and keep the police at bay. Well Luther, the leader of the Rogues, has come to the gathering with ulterior motives. No one is supposed to have weapons on them, but his gang has brought a gun and Luther shoots and kills Cyrus. Chaos breaks out as the police arrive and all the gangs scatter. Only one kid sees Luther holding the gun, but Luther blames the killing on the leader of The Warriors, Cleon. Cleon doesn't make it out of there alive. The Warriors don't seem very tough at first, they are scared and panicky, but manage to escape to a cemetery. Now the Riffs and all the "boppers" in the city are looking for The Warriors. And The Warriors have quite a ways to go and many obstacles to overcome to get back to their home turf of Coney Island.

    Swan takes over leadership of The Warriors, though Ajax feels he should be the new leader. The Warriors prove their strength and courage as they face escalating challenges. Mercy is much more than a siren though, she becomes part of The Warriors' gang as she tags along, and becomes a romantic interest to Swan. The gang has to keep on trying to make it from subway station to subway station. The trains represent horses the Greeks would use for quicker transport or boats between the many Greek islands. They become separated and have to do a lot of running. The violence is stylized, not realistic as The Warriors defend themselves. They have run ins with the police and fight gangs named the Turnbull A.C.s, the Orphans, the Baseball Furies, the Lizzies, the Punks, and in the final showdown, the Rogues. Two more of The Warriors don't make it to the final showdown. So, what started as a gang of nine guys heading to the Bronx ends up being six guys and a girl making the last stand on the Coney Island beach. Then the Joe Walsh song "In the City" makes for a very fitting conclusion. I thought the movie was all very well done, with great production values in costuming, lighting, camera work, and editing. The script is well put together and the mostly unknown cast gives good performances.
  • June 1, 2009
    Do you have one of those movies that has been available for ages, but you just never seem to have gotten around to it? Well, Walter Hill's classic post apocalyptic gang movie falls into that category for me. After all these years, finally I caught it and I'm glad I did. Raw, exci...( read more)ting, violent and with a nice sense of justice, theres plenty to like about this one. Yes, it looks a bit dated, but since it was made in 1979 you can forgive the visual failings and just enjoy the originality of story that Walter Hill presents.
  • May 19, 2009
    shot in the same vain as a john carpenter movie but not quite as good. another one i lost interest in two thirds of the way in. meh
  • November 30, 2009
    would like to see it
  • November 24, 2009
    A solid gang action flick though the comic book look on the directors cut was getting on my nerves. Pretty mindless flick with a lot of foot chases and really not as many fight scens as you would think. Overall it has a very cheesy look, with some of the gangs dress style being...( read more) silly at best. But for what it is (a cheesy gang flick) its worth a watch and will keep your interest.
  • November 1, 2009
    Unlike any other movie made when it came out. Considered tame compared to other movies made since, this is a cult classic. Highly recommended.
  • October 30, 2009
    Beautiful. And most of the actors look like human beings.
  • October 29, 2009
    great movie for it's ara. Very entertainng.

Critic Reviews


Comments


  • ladyjo
    September 13, 2008
    was wondering does anyone no where i can get a figure of swan and a warriors vest for me brother i have tryed and tryed plz help me if u can xx thanks xx
  • FamousLastW0RD
    August 17, 2008
    thi was truely outstanding. low budget film no graphics no effects..
    done nicely and even great music through-out the whole movie
    i watch it like once every 3 months with my co-workers we enjoy this alot
  • elizabethblades
    August 5, 2008
    an excellent film would watch it over and over again and still enjoy it wickeeeeeeeeeeeeed
  • tommyboy715
    July 14, 2008
    They win. =^)
  • flirtybitch22
    June 19, 2008
    can anyone tell me how it ends?
  • warrior4ever
    August 20, 2007
    one of the best films of the 70's hands down
  • MissSherryW
    August 17, 2007
    WARRIORS.....

    Come out to Playyy ayyy!

    This movie rocks!!
  • xspaceaproblemx
    August 6, 2007
    what are we waiting for. we are acting like a pack of faggets....... im tired of this running shit.
  • xspaceaproblemx
    July 9, 2007
    i dont know but you guys must be turning fagget! chicks are great action!!! huh!!
  • LosAngelesKingpin
    July 9, 2007
    This movie is the bomb.I will watch this movie over and over again.This movie has no boudaries.

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Official Trailer

More Like This


Click a thumb to vote on that suggestion, or add your own suggestions.

  • Click
    Click (16%)
  • 8 Mile
    8 Mile (47%)
  • Green Street Hooligans
    Green Street Hooligans (59%)
  • 300
    300 (80%)

Facts


No facts approved yet. Be the first

The Warriors : Watch Free on TV


The Warriors Trivia


  • In The Warriors, which one isn't a gang?  Answer »
  • Which gang shot Cyrus and framed the Warriors in the movie 'The Warriors'?  Answer »
  • what dose luther shout in the warriors as he hits the bottles on his fingers together.  Answer »
  • what 70's move has the Quote saying "Warriors come out to play"  Answer »

Most Popular Skin