The Warriors Directors Cut
Filed Under: Film, Reviews | Article Tags : DVD review
By: The Dweeb
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Can you dig it!? Ah The Warriors, the Walter Hill film has finally gotten a DVD worthy of containing this cult classic. If you have never seen this film before, the Moog Synthesizer that makes it sound like a bad porno, and the outlandish gang uniforms kick the cheese factor go into high gear. One cannot watch without a wry smile as the Baseball Furies make their appearance, clowns in baseball uniforms. You can only walk away from this film and think how surreal and the most farthest from reality you can get in terms of gang themed films.
Once past all that was stylishly laughable from the late 70′s, you will see a more serious film that as Walter said in the introduction, was modeled after the ancient Greek epic "Anabasis". A small band of Greek warriors deep inside enemy territory must find their way back to the sea and thus home. The Warriors end up going through a similar trial. After they are accused of killing Cyrus (Roger Hill), the chief warlord at the big gang convention, the entire city of New York is going after them. They go through one problem after another. The gang network is out for blood, while the anonymous lips of the radio DJ keeps all informed as to their progress, like the Muses of old. The journey home is dark, hot and wet and they lose a few members along the way. Finally, they make it back to Coney Island, only to face more challenges on their home turf. I like how some social commentary was written in to the script when Swan (Michael Beck) surveys his crappy looking neighborhood and says "This is what we fought all night to get back to?"
For an ensemble film, and there are many characters, there are no real stars so to speak in the movie. There is a glimpse of future well known actress Mercedes Ruehl making a brief appearance. For most of the actors this was their first film, and for being green I think they did a decent job of it. For the most part they are all stock characters, indistinguishable if not for each one having a unique look. Gotta love that Cochise guy (David Harris), who even in the 70′s would walk around in Indian headgear?
By far the runaway standout performance was Luther portrayed by David Kelley. He’s head of the rival gang and the one who actually shot Cyrus. Unfortunately we don’t see that much of this gang, but their showdown at Coney Island is what makes the movie. You just can’t forget that creepy scene where he clinks together some bottles and utters the infamous line, "Warriors come out to play-i-ay!!" When people talk about this film, inevitably this line comes up. Not bad for something made up on the spot. This puts the final touch on showing how demented this Luther really is.
This edition of The Warriors is the Director’s Cut, there is another older version out there as well. This one boasts a cleaned up transfer and sports a Dolby Digital 5.1 soundtrack. I do have to say the film looks pretty good on DVD. I’m so used to the butchered grainy version shown on TV all the time. Between each major transitional scene they turn it into a comic book panel. I’m not sure that this was really necessary, we know this film is one already, its quite obvious!
The extras included are quite lengthy and interesting in a where are they now kind of way. I didn’t know that when initially released it caused quite a ruckus and eventually Paramount pulled the film due to violent incidents at the theatre. Well I suppose that cemented the cult status of the film, otherwise I’m sure it would have been relegated to the large pile of forgotten films from that era.
I do have one complaint about the DVD however. When you first pop it in the player you are subjected to ten bazillion promos for other movies, and one can only hit the next chapter button and skip all the way to the main menu. Most annoying. Also, the intro from Walter Hill is its own separate feature, which I clicked on first. The it comes back to the main menu, so I clicked on the movie, only to be subjected again to the intro. What’s up with that? So aside from these two annoyances, I will have to say this film belongs on the shelf right next to other cult classics Dawn Of The Dead and Escape From New York.
Reviewer’s Opinion: BUY IT!!
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