# The Warriors

> 1979 action film directed by Walter Hill

**Wikidata**: [Q1122971](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1122971)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Warriors_(film))  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/the-warriors

## Summary
The Warriors is a 1979 American action film directed by Walter Hill, based on Sol Yurick's 1965 novel of the same name. The film follows a New York City gang who must fight their way home after being framed for the murder of a respected gang leader.

## Key Facts
- Release date: February 9, 1979 (United States)
- Director: Walter Hill
- Production company: Paramount Pictures
- Country of origin: United States
- Genre: Action, Thriller, Crime, Drama
- Runtime: 93 minutes
- Budget: $4,000,000
- Box office: $22,490,039
- IMDb rating: 7.4/10
- Rotten Tomatoes score: 88%
- Metacritic score: 65/100
- Based on: 1965 novel by Sol Yurick
- Screenplay: David Shaber and Walter Hill
- Cinematography: Andrew Laszlo
- Music: Barry De Vorzon
- Editing: Freeman A. Davies and Billy Weber
- Distributed by: Paramount Pictures

## FAQs
**What is the plot of The Warriors?**
The film follows the Coney Island-based gang called the Warriors who are framed for the murder of Cyrus, a respected gang leader, during a truce meeting in the Bronx. The Warriors must fight their way across New York City through hostile territory while being pursued by rival gangs and the police.

**Who are the main characters in The Warriors?**
The main characters include Swan (Michael Beck), the Warriors' new leader; Ajax (James Remar), a hot-headed member; Mercy (Deborah Van Valkenburgh), a tough girl from the Bronx; and Luther (David Patrick Kelly), the leader of the Rogues who framed the Warriors. The film features numerous gang members from different crews across New York City.

**What gangs appear in The Warriors?**
The film features multiple fictional gangs including the Warriors (Coney Island), the Rogues (who frame the Warriors), the Gramercy Riffs (the largest and most powerful gang), the Turnbull AC's, the Orphans, the Baseball Furies, the Lizzies, the Punks, the Boppers, the Hi-Hats, the Hurricanes, the Gladiators, the Panzers, the Van Cortlandt Rangers, the Saracens, the Jones Street Boys, the Moonrunners, the Electric Eliminators, the Savage Huns, the Satan's Mothers, the Boppers, and the Boyle Avenue Runners.

**What is the significance of the film's setting?**
The Warriors is set in a dystopian version of New York City where gangs control different territories and the police are overwhelmed. The film uses real New York City locations including Coney Island, the Bronx, Manhattan, and the subway system to create a gritty, urban atmosphere that reflects the social tensions of late 1970s America.

**How was The Warriors received upon release?**
The film initially received mixed reviews from critics but has since become a cult classic. It was controversial upon release due to real-life gang violence at some screenings, leading to increased security measures. Over time, it has been recognized for its stylized action sequences, memorable characters, and influence on popular culture.

## Why It Matters
The Warriors matters as a cult classic that has transcended its initial controversial reception to become an influential work in action cinema. The film's stylized portrayal of urban gang warfare, distinctive visual aesthetic, and memorable dialogue have made it a touchstone for filmmakers and pop culture enthusiasts. Its depiction of New York City as a dangerous, gang-controlled landscape captured the anxieties of late 1970s America while creating a mythic, almost comic book-like world that continues to resonate with audiences. The film's influence extends beyond cinema into fashion, music, and video games, with its imagery and themes frequently referenced and parodied in popular culture. The Warriors also represents an important moment in Walter Hill's career as a director known for his efficient, action-oriented storytelling style.

## Notable For
- Cult classic status with enduring popularity decades after release
- Distinctive visual style featuring colorful, themed gangs with unique costumes
- Memorable dialogue including "Warriors, come out to play" and "Can you dig it?"
- Influence on video games, particularly Rockstar Games' 2005 adaptation
- Controversial initial release due to real-life violence at some screenings
- Adaptation of Sol Yurick's novel, which itself was based on Xenophon's ancient Greek text Anabasis
- Innovative use of New York City locations as characters in themselves
- Soundtrack featuring the iconic "In the City" by Joe Walsh
- Inspiration for numerous parodies, homages, and references in other media
- Preservation in the United States National Film Registry for cultural significance

## Body
### Production and Development
The Warriors was developed from Sol Yurick's 1965 novel, which was itself inspired by Xenophon's ancient Greek text Anabasis about Greek mercenaries fighting their way home through hostile territory. Walter Hill, who had previously directed films like Hard Times and The Driver, was drawn to the story's mythic structure and action potential. The screenplay was co-written by Hill and David Shaber, with Hill making significant changes to the source material to create a more stylized, almost comic book-like narrative.

The film was produced by Lawrence Gordon and distributed by Paramount Pictures, with principal photography taking place in New York City during the summer of 1978. The production faced challenges including the city's bankruptcy crisis, which affected filming permits and locations. The budget was set at $4 million, relatively modest for an action film of this scope.

### Visual Style and Cinematography
The Warriors is notable for its distinctive visual aesthetic, characterized by its use of color, lighting, and composition to create a stylized version of New York City. Cinematographer Andrew Laszlo employed techniques including high contrast lighting, smoke effects, and carefully composed frames to give the film a graphic novel quality. Each gang in the film has its own color scheme and visual identity, from the Baseball Furies' baseball uniforms and face paint to the Gramercy Riffs' all-black outfits.

The film makes extensive use of New York City locations, including Coney Island, the Bronx, Manhattan, and the subway system. The city itself becomes a character in the film, with its graffiti-covered trains, abandoned buildings, and urban decay serving as the backdrop for the Warriors' journey. The cinematography emphasizes the isolation of the characters within the vast urban landscape, often framing them against expansive cityscapes or in long corridors.

### Music and Sound Design
The soundtrack for The Warriors was composed by Barry De Vorzon and features a mix of electronic music, orchestral elements, and period-appropriate songs. The main theme, "The Warriors Theme," has become one of the most recognizable pieces of film music from the 1970s. The soundtrack also includes "In the City" by Joe Walsh, which plays over the film's end credits and has become closely associated with the film.

The sound design plays a crucial role in creating the film's atmosphere, with the constant sounds of trains, sirens, and urban noise providing a backdrop to the action. The distinctive sound of the Rogues' bottles clinking together, used as a taunt, has become one of the film's most memorable audio elements.

### Reception and Legacy
Upon its release in February 1979, The Warriors received mixed reviews from critics. Some praised its energy and style, while others criticized its violence and perceived glorification of gang culture. The film was controversial due to incidents of violence at some theater screenings, leading Paramount to temporarily withdraw advertising and increase security at theaters showing the film.

Over time, The Warriors has been reevaluated and is now considered a cult classic. It has influenced numerous filmmakers and has been referenced in countless other works of popular culture. The film's visual style, particularly its use of color and costume design for the various gangs, has been particularly influential.

In 2005, Rockstar Games released a video game adaptation of The Warriors that expanded on the film's story and characters. The game was well-received and introduced the film to a new generation of fans. The film has also been adapted into comic books and has inspired numerous fan works and homages.

### Cultural Impact
The Warriors has had a significant impact on popular culture since its release. Its imagery and dialogue have been frequently referenced in other films, television shows, music videos, and video games. The film's depiction of themed gangs with distinctive visual identities has influenced numerous other works, from comic books to video games.

The film's most famous line, "Warriors, come out to play," spoken by Luther while clinking together bottles, has become one of the most quoted lines in cinema history. The Baseball Furies, with their baseball uniforms and face paint, have become iconic characters in their own right and have been referenced in numerous other works.

The Warriors has also had an impact on fashion and music. The film's visual style has influenced fashion designers and musicians, particularly in the punk and hip-hop communities. The film's depiction of New York City gang culture has been particularly influential in hip-hop, with numerous artists referencing the film in their music and videos.

### Technical Specifications
The Warriors was shot on 35mm film using Panavision cameras and spherical lenses. The aspect ratio is 1.85:1, standard for films of this era. The film was edited by Freeman A. Davies and Billy Weber, who employed rapid cutting techniques during the action sequences to create a sense of chaos and urgency.

The special effects in the film are minimal, with most of the action achieved through practical effects and stunt work. The film's violence, while stylized, was considered quite graphic for its time, contributing to its controversial reception.

### Distribution and Release
The Warriors was released by Paramount Pictures on February 9, 1979, in the United States. The film had a staggered release, opening in different markets throughout the spring and summer of 1979. It was later released internationally, with some countries changing the title to avoid confusion with the popular television series "The Warriors."

The film's initial theatrical run was successful, grossing over $22 million at the box office against its $4 million budget. It has since been released on various home video formats, including VHS, laserdisc, DVD, and Blu-ray, with special editions featuring additional content and restored footage.

### Related Works and Adaptations
The Warriors has spawned several related works and adaptations. The most significant is the 2005 video game developed by Rockstar Toronto and published by Rockstar Games. The game serves as both a prequel and adaptation of the film, expanding on the characters and story while remaining faithful to the film's visual style and tone.

The film has also been adapted into comic book form, with a series of graphic novels published by Marvel Comics that expand on the film's story and characters. These adaptations have helped to keep the film's legacy alive and introduce it to new audiences.

Numerous fan films, parodies, and homages to The Warriors have been created over the years, demonstrating the film's enduring influence on popular culture. The film's imagery and themes continue to resonate with audiences and creators, ensuring its place in the canon of cult classic cinema.

## References

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