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The Warriors (film)

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The Warriors
File:Warriors POSTER.gif
Directed byWalter Hill
Written bySol Yurick (story)
David Shaber
Walter Hill
StarringMichael Beck
James Remar
David Patrick Kelly
Distributed byParamount Pictures
Release dates
February 9, 1979
Running time
93 min.
LanguageEnglish
Budget$360,000
This article is about the movie titled The Warriors. For the band see The Warriors. For the video game, see The Warriors (video game).

The Warriors is a 1979 film directed by Walter Hill.

Background

The Warriors is based on the 1965 novel by Sol Yurick, The Warriors depicts a New York City gang attempting to return to its home territory in Coney Island after being framed for the assassination of a gang leader at a nighttime rally, instigating a city-wide manhunt for the surviving Warriors by gangs from all over the city. A video game based on the film was released in 2005.

Interpretation

While ostensibly intended to reflect urban gang realities, the film has a number of dissonant notes. The gangs in The Warriors are dressed in flamboyant matching uniforms, usually with a recognizable theme, giving the film a surrealistic, comic book feel. The Warriors themselves are a gang composed of a careful racial balance, highly unusual for street gangs at the time. While the film contains violence, it is strangely contained in scope, and while physical beatings are commonplace, actual serious injury and murder are restricted to the beginning and ending of the film. Nevertheless, the film's subject matter was controversial upon release and was linked to several incidents of gang violence at theaters. A mild commercial success on its initial release, the film was panned by many critics as exploitative and superficial. In recent years, The Warriors has acquired the status of a cult film, along with a re-examination of its standing with some film critics. As of September 2006, the film has garnered a 92% "fresh" rating at Rotten Tomatoes.

The closing theme song, "In the City", was by Joe Walsh of the Eagles.

The cast of the film includes Michael Beck as Swan, James Remar as Ajax, David Patrick Kelly as Luther (his debut film role; he screeches the line, "Warriors, come out to play-ee-ay!!"), Lynne Thigpen as the radio DJ, and Sonny Landham and Mercedes Ruehl and Ginny Ortiz in minor roles.

The opening theme has recently appeared in the 2005 MTV Video Music Awards.

Tony Scott, Director and Producer, is releasing a new version of the Warriors in 2008. The film is now being shot in Los Angeles.

Plotline

Template:Spoiler Cyrus, leader of the Gramercy Riffs, declares a truce and calls a summit with the intention of uniting all of the New York City area gangs against the dwindling power of the NYPD. However, during his speech he is assassinated by Luther, leader of the Rogues. Luther subsequently frames the Warriors, getting the Warriors leader Cleon murdered by a few Riffs members (however, the film only shows Cleon being brutally attacked due to a fault in the script) and forces the rest of the gang to flee the conclave, which has since dissolved into chaos. The Warriors make their way at night through sparsely populated subways, streets and alleys in the city while running from and battling hostile gangs and the police. Along the way they lose members, split up, and gain a (sometimes hostile) female companion named Mercy who becomes involved with the second-in-command, Swan, all while trying to get home. The film ends after a final showdown with the Rogues at the protagonists' home turf of Coney Island. At the end, Swan throws a knife into the wrist of the Rogues' leader, disarming him. The Riffs have massed on the beach, and, having already learned the truth from an unnamed gang member, swarm (and presumably kill) the Rogues as the Warriors head off down the shore. Template:Endspoiler

File:Warriors poster.jpg
"The Warriors" promotional poster.

Violence in theaters

Shortly after the film's release, there was a flurry of press reporting incidents of teenage violence, including three murders, apparently related to the film's "incendiary" subject matter. Further media pressure prompted Paramount to remove advertisements from all print sources, though subway posters and film trailers were unaffected. When advertisements resumed after six days, the "inflammatory" images of the original ads were gone, the new ads consisting of the film's showtimes and reviews from reputable critics. (Pauline Kael of The New Yorker and Janet Maslin of the New York Times). Due to safety concerns, theater owners were relieved of their contractual obligations if they did not want to show the film and Paramount offered to pay costs for additional security and damages due to vandalism.

Others speculated that the real cause of the violence was simply gang-on-gang feuding, a phenomenon that had occurred for years, dating back to The West Side Story. Gang members would go to the film, see their rivals, and instigate a fight. Despite this, most theaters continued to show the movie and enjoyed packed houses. A Boston theater manager said it was their most popular movie since My Fair Lady was released 15 years earlier.[1]

Quotes

"They outnumber the cops five to one."

"They could run New York City."

"New York 1979, a battle on the streets."

"The armies of the night are 60,000 strong, and tonight they are all after the Warriors."

"Can you count suckas!?" Cyrus

"Can you dig it!?" Cyrus

"Our little piece of turf." Cyrus

"Every gang in the city must be after us!" Vermin

"Oh, Why don't you just tie a mattress to your back?" Swan

"I'll shove that bat up your ass and turn you into a popsicle" Ajax

"Maybe you're all goin' faggot" Ajax

"Cyrus was right about one thing, it's all out there. Now all we gotta do is figure out a way to go steal it." Cochise

"Sound's great. Now all we gotta figure out is what's worth stealing." Snow

"Warriorsss, come out to plaaa-ee-aaaay!" Luther (Used by many rappers such as Ol' Dirty Bastard)

The Warriors

The Warriors gang is based in the western neighborhoods of Coney Island, on the edge of Brooklyn. Their gang uniform consists of a red pleather embroidered vest with the Warriors' logo on the back. The gang has an overall Native American theme, and their logo consists of an Indian head with eagle wings (changed to flames in the video game due to the threat of legal action from the Hell's Angels over the original logo being too similar to theirs). This theme is accented by the Indian-style bead necklaces and armbands worn by some members. Their main stomping ground and base turf is among the many amusement park areas of Coney Island, particularly the landmark that is Deno's Wonder Wheel, a now iconic symbol synonymous with Coney Island and The Warriors.

In a deleted scene that ended up in some TV versions of the film, Cleon mentions that The Warriors is a street family of 120+ members, but only nine are shown in the film. The nine aptly named principal members in the film are: Template:Spoiler

  • Cleon: The Warlord, leader of the gang. (Named after the Ancient Greek politician) After Cyrus' assassination, he is beaten (to death according to the script, though the film is not completely clear on this point) by the Gramercy Riffs. He is also an ex member of the Destroyers according to the video game.
  • Swan: The Warchief, second-in-command of the gang. Assuming control after the death of Cleon, Swan's leadership is shown to be more practical than his brothers in arms. Successfully leading the group back to Coney, he actually wins a gunfight against Luther using only a knife (although he actually threw it into his wrist before he even started to fire).
  • Fox: The Scout. Fox is very familiar with other gangs' tactics, turf, and numbers. He dies when he's thrown in front of a speeding train while struggling with a police officer, although Mercy later tells Swan that "the cops got him". His name is based on the fact that he is quiet and sneaky, like a fox, as well as his good eyesight. His real name is revealed to be Francis Conroy in an early script.
  • Rembrandt: The Writer, the gang's graffiti artist, he wears the standard gear, and also sports a messenger bag and an afro. Apparently the youngest member, Rembrandt is far less battle-hardened and is frequently looked after by the other members of the gang. (Named after the famous painter)
  • Ajax: A cocky, loud, womanizing Warrior always up for a fight.He desires to be warlord, but nevered happend, hes said to be the strongest warrior. He wears fingerless leather gloves and a black tank top under his Warriors vest. His womanizing ways lead to his downfall, as proven when he tries to rape an undercover female officer. (Named after the mythical Greek warrior) Ajax is also the new name of Jordan Hegarty.
  • Snow: He is a Warrior who is quiet and reserved but can still handle himself. He has an afro. (In the script and deleted intro scene, Snow is referred to as "Snowball").
  • Vermin: A cynical member of the gang.
  • Cochise: A high-kicking Warrior (originally from Harlem) who wears Indian-style leather boots and pants. He also sports an afro with a red bandanna tied around his head, and wears Native American jewelry. (Named after the Apache Chief)
  • Cowboy: A Warrior who got his name from always wearing a Stetson cowboy hat. He is the optimistic, happy-go-lucky Warrior, also an ex Destroyer.

Characters

Characters Actors
Ajax James Remar
Swan Michael Beck
Mercy Deborah Van Valkenburgh
Luther David Patrick Kelly
Policeman Sonny Landham
Cyrus Roger Hill
Cleon Dorsey Wright
Snow Brian Tyler
Cowboy Tom McKittenick
Cochise David Harris
Policewoman Mercedes Ruehl
Policeman Irwin Keyes
Policeman Larry Silvestry
Policeman Victor Magnotta
Radio DJ Lynne Thigpen
Rembrandt Marcelino Sanchez
Vermin Terry Michos
Fox Thomas G. Waites
Masai Edward Sewer
Baseball Furies Leader Jerry Hewitt
Orphan Apache Ramos
Lincoln Pamela Poitier
Cropsey (Rogue Lieutenant) Joel Weiss
Lizzies Leader Lisa Maurer
Orphans Leader Paul Greco
Turnbaull A.C. J.W. Smith
Orphan (Andre Engel) Andy Angel
Baseball Fury John Gibson
Baseball Fury Steven Chambers
Punks Leader Craig Baxley
Candy Store Girl Ginny Ortiz
Gas Station Man John Snyder
Baseball Fury Steve James
Turnbull A.C. Michael Jeffrey
Punk Leader Konrad Sheenhan
Gang Leader on Subway Stairs Antone Pagan
Gramercy Riff Dennis Gregory

Gangs

Along the way, the Warriors encounter the following fanciful gangs, from north to south:

  • The Turnbull A.C.s: (Also going by the names Turnbulls, Bulls, or A.C.s) A bus-riding skinhead gang. They travel in large numbers and wear denim jackets and blue jeans. A notable member is the wheelchair bound Birdie who appears in the game and whom the Warriors kill. Their turf is Pelham and the area surrounding Gun Hill Road.
  • The Orphans: A low-tier gang (who weren't invited to Cyrus's parley, nor did they even know about it). They are said to be at full strengh when theres about thirty. They wear green shirts with "ORPHANS" stitched into the back, and blue jeans. Their turf is Tremont. Their leader, Sully, is a coward, with a weakness for flattery. In the game, the Warriors trash Sully's car after he spreads false rumors about having defeated them.
  • The Baseball Furies: (or simply The Furies) A gang in pinstriped baseball uniforms, wielding baseball bats and wearing facial makeup similar to that of the rock group KISS, only multicolored instead of black and white. Most members wear gray uniforms with black stripes, and a few wear black uniforms with gray stripes. In the film, they are at first an intimidating menace chasing the Warriors, but are easily defeated by the Warriors in Riverside Park; "A bunch of wimps", as Ajax put it. The Furies were created because of Walter Hill's love for baseball. Along with the Warriors themselves, the Baseball Furies are the most popular gang with fans of the movie. In Greek mythology, the Furies were the embodiment of vengeance.
  • The Lizzies: An all-female gang of lesbians. The gang name is the pejorative misspelled for a lesbian; two members are also seen dancing suggestively together in the movie; the name may double as a reference to Lizzie Borden). At first they appear non-threatening, but the opposite is soon learned as they try to trap three of the Warriors and attempt to kill them. Their turf is the Bowery.
  • The Punks: A gang with a leader who strolls around on rollerskates. The Warriors fight them in a men's room in Union Square station . Each member wears denim overalls over a different-colored striped shirt. The Punks are never named during the movie (except for being referred to by their name in the credits). They share the Bowery with The Lizzies.
  • The Rogues: The gang that framed the Warriors for Cyrus’ assassination. The regular gang members wear black shirts, black leather jackets, black pants, and black leather hats. The gang leader (although the movie doesn't mention him as leader), Luther, wears a gray shirt, a gray zip-up hoodie, a black leather vest, a sheriff's badge, black leather pants, and a faded pink-ish headband. He also seems to display violent psychopathic tendencies, though he is something of a coward. In the game, it is revealed that Luther got his badge and gun from a cop that the Rogues killed. Although they are dangerous, they do not seem too bright. Their turf is Hell's Kitchen, but they are often seen outside of their turf.
  • The Gramercy Riffs: A well-organized gang from around Gramercy Park, said to be the biggest gang in the city. Cyrus was the leader of this gang before he was assassinated. After his death, the second in command, Masai, takes over. They are dressed in martial arts robes and pants but at the end of the film are seen wearing black t-shirts and black denim pants.

Template:Endspoiler There are many more gangs besides the ones listed, which adds to the depth of the film. The script had many gangs listed, including ones that didn't even appear in the film, or were never named on screen. Some of these gangs and several others play a role in the video game.

Filming locations

The Warriors was filmed in 1978 throughout many different locations in New York City.

  • The exterior shots of the 96th Street subway station (where the Warriors first encounter the Baseball Furies), were actually filmed at the station at 72nd Street and Broadway. The distinctive headhouse at 72nd Street was redressed with "96th St" signage for the film. The interior shots of the station were filmed at the Hoyt-Schermerhorn station in Brooklyn.

Comparisons between The Warriors and the Anabasis (and other works)

The Warriors is very loosely based on Xenophon's Anabasis, about his experience as a member of a Greek mercenary army trapped in Persia circa 400 BC. While the events of the two stories are quite different, fans have tried to map out the parallel characters and places in the two stories. Also, many other elements of Greek mythology have been included in the film (see other sections).

The Warriors Name Anabasis Name
Riverside Park Cunaxa
Cleon Clearchus of Sparta
Coney Island Hellas
Cyrus Cyrus the Younger
Warlords Satraps
The Gramercy Riffs The Persian Immortals
Atlantic Ocean The Black Sea
Luther Tissaphernes
Manhattan Babylonia
Masai Artaxerxes II
Mercy Queen of Cilicia
New York City Persian Empire
The Orphans Armenians
Swan Xenophon
The Warriors The Ten Thousand
Ajax Ajax the Greater

Spinoffs and References

  • The Warriors video game, based on the movie, was released by Rockstar Games in October 2005. The game's first half acts as a prequel to the film, while the second half follows closely to the film's events. Fans of the film have debated whether the events of the game could be considered in canon with what is established in the movie.
  • A modern-day remake of the film featuring new gangs is set to be directed by Tony Scott and has been announced with a tentative release date of 2008. This remake will include mostly real gang members and try to create a version of the movie that is set in LA and take out any of the campy feeling of the original. The remake will not share much with the original except for the title and the character Cyrus. However, the film has not received much attention since the original announcement and it seems dubious that it will see production in the near future.
  • In the beginning of the music video for the 1994 hip hop song "Flava In Your Ear remix", a Craig Mack song featuring The Notorious B.I.G., LL Cool J, Rampage and Busta Rhymes, Puff Daddy is seen with three glass bottles on his fingers, clattering, while he utters "Bad Boooys...come out to plaaay...", a reference to Luther's famous line, and which has been referenced in numerous other rap videos. The beginning of Lloyd Banks' 2004 song "Warrior" has a more direct reference, using a sample of Luther uttering the immortal quote. Used in Dipset's Crunk Muzik they're wearing face paint like The Furies, and they're hiding in the bathroom with chains and weapons. Then some Russian man supposed to be Luther was in a truck with Hypnotic bottles yelling "Dipset... come out to plaaay..."
  • In 2002, a reenactment of The Warriors movie was done via a bicycle messenger alley-cat style ride. Eighty-nine gangs of between five and nine cyclists (800 participants) in coordinated gang theme costumes rode from central Bronx to Coney Island between dusk and dawn on a summer night. Along the way, various competitions were set up between the gangs to reenact the trials of the Warriors (see external links).
  • Another such gathering occurred October 31, 2005 in downtown Atlanta, Georgia. Billed as a "rumble", a large number of individuals dressed in costumes similar to those featured in the film gathered for what essentially became a Warriors-themed Halloween party, conducted outdoors.
  • The [spunge] album, Room For Abuse, features Ajax's line "I'll shove that bat up your ass and turn you into a popsicle." at the end of the album.
  • The British band Pop Will Eat Itself feature samples of the film on several tracks including "Can you dig it?".
  • The music video for D12's single "Fight Music" has several references from the movie, involving all members of D12 running through New York City from other gangs. Ice T plays Cyrus, radio DJ Angie Martinez plays the DJ, and rapper Fat Joe also makes a cameo appearance.
  • The music video for "Crunk Muzik" by the Diplomats featuring Jim Jones, Juelz Santana, and Cam'ron plays like a tribute to the film as it includes a sequence similar to the summit meeting, and at the end of the video, someone is seen clinking glass bottles together, saying "Dipset, come out to play-ee-yay!!" The Diplomats are also dressed as a gang in the movie with gray sweatshirts and blue denim jackets without sleeves on.
  • Anybody Killa, former Psychopathic Records artist, used samples from the movie at the end of many of his songs off of his CD, "Hatchet Warrior," and even has a cover of the end theme, In The City, as the last track on the album.
  • Non Phixion's 2005 album The Green starts with a long sample of Cyrus' speech, starting at "The problem in the past..." and ending with his triple repetition of "Can you dig it?!"
  • A skit on the comedy show Chappelle's Show parodies the MTV "making the band". The parodied P. Diddy requests that the contestents bring him "the most finest Cambodian breast milk." After he finishes drinking it, he mumbles "Breast millk, made my dayyy" while klinking the bottles, a reference to Luther's call.
  • An episode of Sealab 2021 had Stormy chasing zombies while clinking a pipe saying, "Sufferers... come out to play-ee-ay!!"
  • Several gangs have been influenced by the cult film, such as the notorious Warriors crew based in Wimbledon, London [citation needed],the old men with members named after characters in the film and who claim to be just as heavy an outfit, the group still being alive to this day keep watch over the streets of south west London, and the legendary Cathays Warriors (now defunct) based in Cardiff, Wales (website).
  • Ajax's famous line "I'll shove that bat up your ass and turn you into a popsicle" was named one of the greatest baseball lines ever. In a interview with James remar the actor who played Ajax came up with the line while filming when he noticed how the basball furies whith face paint on and bats at hand, looked like a bunch of multi coloured popsicles. [citation needed]
  • A Washington D.C. based punk/hardcore band played numerous shows and released an album under the name Baseball Furies between 1995 and 1998. [citation needed]
  • In an episode of Warner Bros. Pinky and the Brain, The Brain's nemisis, the evil hampster Snowball, shouts "Bra-ain, come out and pla-ay" while searching for him.
  • On the Insane Clown Posse's 1993 EP album, Beverly Kills 50187, the beginning of the first track starts with the sound of bottles clicking together, after which Violent J says "Jugglers! Come out to plaaay-eee-ay!"
  • The film Mystery Men features a scene where the villain, Cassanova Frankenstein, gathers a group of gangs together in order to unite them under his control. The gangs all have styles based on different themes, much like the gangs in The Warriors. At the end of his speech, Frankenstein utters Cyrus' famous line, "Can you dig it?".

Notes

  1. ^ Thomas, Mike. "Some gang-banging moviegoers saw 1979 flick as a call to arms", Chicago Sun-Times, October 19, 2005, retrieved August 23, 2006.

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