The Warriors (1979)

Last updated:
May 13, 2025

Walter Hill’s The Warriors is a cult classic that blends gritty street realism with near-mythical storytelling. Based loosely on Sol Yurick’s novel of the same name, this 1979 film is set in a stylized, almost post-apocalyptic version of New York City where street gangs rule the night. With its iconic lines, synth-heavy score, and unforgettable characters, it remains one of the most influential action films ever made.

Detailed Summary

The Call to Unity: Cyrus’ Rally

The movie begins in Coney Island, Brooklyn, home turf of the Warriors, one of the many colorful gangs that populate New York City. They are chosen to represent their gang at a massive summit in the Bronx, organized by Cyrus, the charismatic leader of the most powerful gang, the Gramercy Riffs. Cyrus delivers a now-iconic speech proposing a radical idea: a truce and unification of all gangs in the city, who vastly outnumber the police, to take over the streets.

Just as the crowd seems to embrace this revolutionary idea, Cyrus is assassinated by Luther, the erratic leader of the Rogues, who immediately blames the Warriors. Panic breaks out, and the Warriors are forced to flee, stranded deep in hostile territory—over 30 miles from home—with every gang in the city now hunting them.

Flight Through the Night: A City-Wide Gauntlet

The Warriors’ journey back to Coney Island becomes a violent odyssey through New York’s underbelly. They encounter multiple gangs, each with distinct looks and gimmicks—like the Baseball Furies, dressed like baseball players with face paint, and the Orphans, a ragtag crew who are more bark than bite.

Along the way, the Warriors lose some of their own and pick up an unexpected ally, Mercy, a tough, street-smart woman from the Bronx who tags along, challenging the Warriors’ morality and masculinity while becoming a love interest for Swan, the gang’s war chief.

Challenges Within and Without

Internal strife threatens to tear the Warriors apart. Their original leader, Cleon, is beaten down early in the film. Ajax, a hothead and physical powerhouse, constantly challenges Swan’s authority and eventually gets arrested after trying to assault a woman in the park—who turns out to be an undercover cop. Despite these setbacks, Swan keeps the remaining members focused on survival.

Their plight is narrated (and taunted) by a mysterious radio DJ, who sends coded messages to gangs around the city, giving the whole chase a surreal, mythic quality.

Movie Ending

The Warriors finally make it to Coney Island just before dawn. They arrive tired, injured, and fewer in number, only to face their biggest threat yet—the Rogues, led by the psychotic Luther, who has been trailing them the entire night. Luther taunts Swan, pulling out a gun and starting his chilling chant, “Warriors, come out to play-ay!”, while clinking bottles on his fingers—one of the most iconic scenes in cinema history.

But Swan, ever the calm strategist, outsmarts him. In a tense standoff on the beach, he throws a knife into Luther’s hand, disarming him just as the Gramercy Riffs arrive. After a moment of tense silence, the Riffs’ second-in-command steps forward, telling the Warriors, “You’re the real deal.”

They then turn on Luther and the Rogues, delivering justice for Cyrus’ murder. The Warriors are allowed to walk away, battered but vindicated, as the sun rises over Coney Island. The DJ signs off with a dedication to the Warriors, acknowledging the truth and their survival.

This ending closes the film’s arc with both emotional and narrative satisfaction. The Warriors have survived a literal and symbolic gauntlet through a chaotic world and emerged not only alive but stronger and more unified.

Are There Post-Credits Scenes?

No, The Warriors does not feature any post-credits scenes. Once the credits roll, the story is over, reflecting the filmmaking norms of the late 1970s, long before Marvel made post-credit scenes fashionable.

Type of Movie

The Warriors is a crime-action thriller with strong elements of urban fantasy and allegory. It’s also a cult film, defined by its stylized violence, unique setting, and mythic structure.

Cast

Michael Beck as Swan
James Remar as Ajax
Deborah Van Valkenburgh as Mercy
David Patrick Kelly as Luther
Dorsey Wright as Cleon
Roger Hill as Cyrus
Lynne Thigpen as the DJ (voice only)

Film Music and Composer

The film’s score was composed by Barry De Vorzon, whose eerie, synth-laden theme helps establish the film’s nocturnal, dystopian vibe. The soundtrack includes tracks like:

The music is a major reason for the film’s enduring cool factor.

Filming Locations

New York City, including Coney Island, The Bronx, Riverside Park, and multiple subway stations.
The film was shot almost entirely at night, using real locations, which added authenticity but also created grueling conditions for the cast and crew.

The city itself acts as a character—gritty, dangerous, and indifferent to the gangs racing through its veins.

Awards and Nominations

While not heavily recognized during awards season, the film has since been honored as a cult classic. In 2003, it was listed in Entertainment Weekly’s Top 50 Cult Films. Its influence is seen across genres, from hip hop to video games.

Behind the Scenes Insights

Walter Hill originally wanted the film to be more comic book-like, which was restored in the 2005 Director’s Cut.
The cast did many of their own stunts, often in unsafe conditions.
David Patrick Kelly improvised the infamous “come out to play” line using beer bottles on his fingers.
The film faced real gang threats during filming, and the studio hired off-duty NYPD officers for protection.
Paramount Pictures initially released the film without ads due to fears of gang violence at screenings.

Inspirations and References

Based on the 1965 novel The Warriors by Sol Yurick, which itself was inspired by Xenophon’s “Anabasis”, an ancient Greek tale of warriors trying to return home after being stranded deep in enemy territory.
The comic-book stylization and gang structure influenced later media like Streets of Rage, Double Dragon, and Grand Theft Auto.

Alternate Endings and Deleted Scenes

Walter Hill wanted an animated comic-book style opening and transitions—this vision was only realized decades later in the 2005 Director’s Cut.
Several extended character moments were cut for pacing, including more background on the Orphans and Ajax’s arrest.
No known alternate ending was filmed.

Book Adaptations and Differences

Sol Yurick’s novel is much darker and more violent, with more sociopolitical commentary.
The book includes rape and racial tension in harsher detail.
The movie downplays some of the novel’s heavier themes in favor of action and style.

Memorable Scenes and Quotes

Key Scenes

Cyrus’ rally and assassination.
The Warriors fighting the Baseball Furies in Riverside Park.
Ajax getting arrested after assaulting a decoy cop.
Swan and Mercy walking through a deserted subway station.
Final showdown with Luther on the beach.

Iconic Quotes

“Can you dig it?” – Cyrus
“Warriors, come out to play-ay!” – Luther
“I’m sick of this running crap.” – Ajax
“You Warriors are good. Real good.” – Second-in-command Riff

Easter Eggs and Hidden Details

The DJ’s face is never shown, reinforcing her mythic presence as a kind of Greek chorus.
Many gangs are named after pop culture or historical references (e.g., the Baseball Furies were inspired by KISS and Clockwork Orange).
The subway ride toward Coney Island includes a scene with two clean-cut teens, acting as a foil to the ragged Warriors—subtle commentary on class divide.

Trivia

The film was made for just $4 million.
Walter Hill shot much of it guerrilla-style, with no permits.
A video game adaptation by Rockstar Games was released in 2005 and is now considered a cult hit.
Real New York gangs were hired as extras in some scenes.

Why Watch?

Because The Warriors is a time capsule of late ’70s New York—a stylized, nightmarish love letter to the city’s chaos, culture, and soul. It’s also an iconic blend of genre storytelling, rich with symbolism, great characters, and killer lines. Whether you’re a film buff, a gamer, or a fan of stylized action, this one’s essential.

Director’s Other Movies

48 Hrs. (1982)
Streets of Fire (1984)
Red Heat (1988)
Last Man Standing (1996)