The Warriors [1979]
Directed by: Walter Hill
The streets are dark and the only light comes from the transit. Perhaps, it is because it symbolizes home. Home sweet home. Home where you kick up your feet; a place worth fighting for or... to get to.
There's a buzz at night as all the gangs gather around. Gangs from far and near, all colors, ages, status are for one night setting their differences a side to hear one young man with a vision. A vision silently received as his voice echoes into the night for a plan for unity. Gathered and bonded on a common cause his message is received on majority. Regrettably, his voice is silenced by someone in the crowd. Shock abrupt's as the sound vibrates over the crowd. Then eyes turn on the Warriors as the guilty falsely accuse them. Being that one of the Warriors saw the perpetrator. Disorder ensues as the law is present at the most inopportune moment.
The Riffs employ the gangs to help bring the Warriors in to face the consequences.
The Warriors attempt to head home but at each stop are tested pushing them further from their destination. Amnesty does not find the Warriors this night as the perpetrators continue to press heat on the heels of the Warriors on their journey home. With each stop a new gang comes to stop the Warriors. The Warriors are one group not to mess with! With each challenger seemingly tougher than the last and the number or fights stacking up it only shows to you how resilient the Warriors are. They are ready to hold their ground no matter who comes their way and no matter the amount of adversaries standing between them and their goal...home. Home a place to call your own and to fight for. Will the truth be found? With the odds against them will they make it home?
The Warriors stand falsely accused. They decide to go home but wonder why the heat keeps following them. It's perhaps due to the cunning tactics that lead Luther and his gang on their trail home. Helping to stop them from getting there at each stop along the way. The lights of youthful rebellion fill the night and along the way we see friendships tested and loyalty too. No matter the cause we see the bond of brothers. The bond of the Warriors continue forward. There's something admirable about an uncharted destination home. Familiar stops don't seem familiar anymore. The spirit of chaos is lose and it's looking to reap havoc on the Warriors. Again, no matter the test it feels like they cannot be stopped and again that's admirable.
I have seen this film many years ago. I'm glad I re-watched it. I view it differently. There's that sense of unity and pride that resonates among them. I feel that's favorable in forming their bond. This bond of brothers fueled with a spirit of resilience and they are unstoppable. No matter how tough the challenge they will find their way. I loved the simplicity of the idea no matter how arduous the feeling of the journey home. Home no matter the predicament is a comforting reward to fight for. I love the setting and soundtrack. I love the essence of friendship and a mission this film brings. Friends and home are worth fighting for. Each quest brings them closer to home and how the ending was simple yet set this film to, withstand the test of time. Excellent film. Excellent story and overall memorable.
9/10
Photo Credit: Vanity Fair
Comments