THE WARRIORS was released 46 years ago this month. Acclaimed as one of the great 1970s NYC movies, and a true cult classic, the story of how it was made involved real gangs, vomiting extras and a future star who didn't make the cut. Can you dig it? 1/46 - ThreadSky

alltherightmovies.com • 5 days ago

THE WARRIORS was released 46 years ago this month. Acclaimed as one of the great 1970s NYC movies, and a true cult classic, the story of how it was made involved real gangs, vomiting extras and a future star who didn't make the cut. Can you dig it?

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alltherightmovies.com•5 days ago

The Warriors is based on Sol Yurick's 1965 novel of the same name, which was inspired by the classic ancient Greek story Anabasis by Xenophon. Yurick drew on his experiences working in the Department of Welfare in New York City for a gritty portrayal of gang life.

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alltherightmovies.com•5 days ago

Film rights to the novel were bought in 1969 by American International Pictures, but no film resulted. A few years later, Hollywood producers Otto Preminger and Lawrence Gordon vied for the rights. Gordon's last-minute, better offer won out.

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alltherightmovies.com•5 days ago

Gordon hired David Shaber to write the script, then approached Walter Hill to direct, having just worked with him on The Driver. Hill was keen but didn't think any studio would let them make the film, saying "It was too extreme and too weird."

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alltherightmovies.com•5 days ago

Paramount disagreed and provided financing with a $4m budget. Hill set about re-writing the script, making it less realistic and more heightened than the novel. "I eventually wound up re-writing a lot of it," Hill said.

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alltherightmovies.com•5 days ago

For the role of protagonist Swan, Hill cast Michael Beck after seeing him in the 1978 film Madman. And Beck's co-star in that film, Sigourney Weaver, would go on to headline Hill's next project, when he produced Alien.

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alltherightmovies.com•5 days ago

Deborah Van Valkenburgh wasn't the first choice to play Mercy. Originally, Hill wanted a Puerto Rican actress for the part. But Van Valkenburgh's agent campaigned for her, and Hill relented, telling the actress she was "the unobvious choice."

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pennystarrjr.bsky.social•5 days ago

To me, the Warriors, Escape From New York and The Wiz are from the same cinematic universe. The one you had to live thru 1970s/80s NYC to truly get. A time and place of crime, gangs, street art, garbage strikes, Studio 54, King Tut at the Met. It was both terrible and wonderful at the same time.

mmsradioshow.bsky.social•5 days ago

Michael Beck received a phone call out of the blue one day in the early 1980s from President Ronald Reagan. He screened "The Warriors" while at Camp David and enjoyed the film immensely!

panicatthedogpark.bsky.social•5 days ago

The Warriors is a terrific movie. Holds up well even now.

rollawayjim.bsky.social•5 days ago

Epic. Had to get my best friend’s sisters boyfriend to take us, as parents would NOT.

samikaye.bsky.social•5 days ago

Come out and plaaaaayyy

ghostwoods.bsky.social•4 days ago

The Warriors was such a damn good film. Truly iconic. And no, I was a wee nipper, I didn't see it in the cinema!

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