Dig It: "The Warriors" (1979)

Courtesy of Netflix, I have been able to shed light on my cinematic blind-spots. In other words, I now have regular access to classic films and cult classics. Most recently, I watched 1979's "The Warriors."

Set in an alternative future as read in 1979 (to understand this, think about "Back to the Future II"), "The Warriors" chronicles one of New York City's many small gangs battling cops and other gangs on its way from The Bronx back to Coney Island. The gang who calls Coney Island home is The Warriors, and they are framed for shooting Cyrus, the head honcho of NYC's largest gang and the man who plans on uniting all the gang's in the surprisingly well-networked NYC-underground. The alleged crime occurs at a mass gang meeting attended by nine members of each gang in the city; attendance precludes bringing any form of weapon. With the false charges against them, The Warriors face a long hike back to Coney Island through opposing gangs' turfs right when those opposing gangs are set on hunting down The Warriors.

The story flows much like "Escape from New York" does: Challenge after challenge faces the anti-hero protagonists in such a way that makes the story perfect for the inevitable video game ("The Warriors" video game came out in 2005). The narrative, however, uses comic book animation to segue between acts and contribute to a hip, groovy feel that makes "The Warriors" a fun time-piece despite its intentions of being set in the future. Comic books have long since floated to the periphery of the mass distribution they possessed in the mid-20th century. But, "The Warriors" capitalized on comic book popularity and is still noteworthy today, when many superhero and other graphic novel adaptations flood theaters.

Modern graphic novel adaptations seem to force themselves into using effects and costuming in creative ways to capture the visual tone of their source material; "The Warriors" so facilely captures said tone that the transitions between comic book animation and gritty, pallid screenshot are as close to flawless as can be asked--especially considering the limit of special effects in the late '70's.

The hip comic book narrative compounds the groovy factor of the language ("Be cool, baby" is the mantra), the dress (the shirtless, open leather vests), the hair (long and flowing or large and teased), and the music. The music plays a pivotal part in telling the story; a radio jockey relays messages to the streets with code and track selection--"Nowhere to Run" by Martha and The Vandellas puts the hit-out on The Warriors. For mere appreciation of the late '70's NYC street-cool, "The Warriors" is worth the hour-and-a-half playing time.

Hang in until 2:30 when the superfly synth kicks:



Ultimately, Cyrus's question to the hordes of New York's skeeziest is the question that the dated but time-warp movie asks viewers: "Can you dig it?"

I can dig it: three out of five stars.