CINÉMA DE LA PLAGE – The Warriors: Walter Hill’s gangland New York

An epic battle looms in New York’s most dangerous neighbourhoods. 100,000 gang members – outnumbering police five to one – are on the hunt for one gang, The Warriors, who are falsely accused of killing rival gang leader Cyrus.

Walter Hill directed Hard Times in 1975, The Driver in 1978 and 48 Hrs. in 1982.  Director, producer and screenwriter, he established his writing credentials as co-screenwriter for the film Alien in 1979. In 1980, Walter Hill entered in Competition at the Festival de Cannes with The Long Riders, starring the Carradine brothers: Keith, Robert and David. The Warriors was filmed almost entirely at night with the exception of the final scene. Walter Hill chose to shoot in real gangland locations. At their own insistence he even featured real-life gang members in the film after they refused to allow their gang colours to be worn on-camera by actors. 

The Warriors is a courageous production that won over audiences with its authentic storyline. Walter Hill raised the bar for 1980s urban cinema, a genre that would heavily inspire video games. His cut-and-dry directing style struck a chord with a generation of poor young Americans.