O.S.T: The Warriors 1979

 

Cyrus, the leader of the Gramercy Riffs, the most powerful gang in New York City, requests that each of the city's gangs

send nine unarmed delegates to Van Cortlandt Park for a midnight summit. The Warriors, a gang from Coney Island, send a delegation consisting of "warlord" (leader) Cleon; "war chief" (second-in-command) Swan; scout Fox; enforcer Ajax; graffiti artist Rembrandt; music-man Snow; bearer Vermin and soldiers Cowboy and Cochise. Cyrus proposes a citywide truce and alliance to the assembled crowd, allowing the gangs to control the city together since they collectively outnumber the police by 3 to 1. 
                            

CYRUS DEATH

Most of the gang members applaud this idea, but Luther, the unbalanced and sadistic leader of the

Rogues, shoots Cyrus dead as police officers arrive to raid the summit. In the chaos, Luther realizes that Fox witnessed his actions and falsely accuses the Warriors of responsibility, leading the vengeful Riffs to attack Cleon fatally. Meanwhile, the other Warriors escape, unaware that they have been implicated in Cyrus's killing. 
                   

The Riffs put out a hit on the Warriors through a radio DJ. To Ajax's disappointment, Swan

takes charge of the group as they try to get home. The gang called the Warriors is blamed for killing Cyrus as he gives his speech. The gang now has to cross rivals' territory in order to get to its own 'hood. The Warriors slowly cross the dangerous Bronx and Manhattan territories, narrowly escaping police and other gangs every step of the way.                      

  

The Warriors is a 1979 American action thriller film directed by Walter Hill from a screenplay by Hill

and David Shaber and based on the 1965 novel of the same name by Sol Yurick. The film features an ensemble cast which includes Michael Beck, James Remar, Deborah Van Valkenburgh, Marcelino Sánchez, David Harris, Tom McKitterick, Brian Tyler, Dorsey Wright, Terry Michos, David Patrick Kelly, Roger Hill, Edward Sewer, and Lynne Thigpen.
                    

Development on The Warriors initially began in 1969 after film rights to Yurick's novel was purchased

by American International Pictures, but production stalled until producer Lawrence Gordon obtained the rights and commissioned Shaber and Hill to work on the screenplay. Originally envisioned as a western, the novel was ultimately adapted as a stylized action thriller. Casting was extensive and production was troubled, with Hill clashing with some of the actors and going over budget. Principal photography took place in 1978 on location across New York City, including at Astoria Studios. 
                   

Initial screenings of the film were linked to vandalism and murders, prompting Paramount to

halt advertising or release theaters from their obligation to screen the film. The Warriors has been reappraised by critics and is considered a cult film. It has since launched a franchise which spawned several spinoffs, including video games and a comic book series. 
                     

At dawn, the Warriors finally reach Coney Island, only to find Luther and the Rogues waiting for them. Swan challenges Luther to single combat, but Luther pulls a gun instead. Swan dodges his shot and

throws a switchblade into Luther's wrist, disarming him. The Riffs arrive, acknowledging the Warriors' courage and skill before apprehending the Rogues. As the Riffs descend upon him, Luther screams. The radio DJ announces that the hit on the Warriors has been canceled and salutes them with a song, "In the City." The film ends with Swan, Mercy, and the rest of the gang walking down a Coney Island beach illuminated by the rising sun. 
                     

The Warriors has become a cult film, and some film critics have since re-examined it. As of December 2023, the film garnered an 88% approval rating at Rotten Tomatoes, based on 51 reviews. The critical consensus reads: "As violent as it is stylish, The Warriors is a thrilling piece

of pulp filmmaking." In 2003, The New York Times placed the film on its "Best 1,000 Movies Ever Made". Entertainment Weekly named it the 16th-greatest cult film on its 2003 "Top 50 Greatest Cult Films" list, and ranked it 14th in its 2008 list of the "25 Most Controversial Movies Ever". The film's soundtrack, featuring music by Barry De Vorzon, Joe Walsh, and others, was released on the A&M label in March 1979. 

                    

THE SOUNDTRACK

               

Barry de Vorzon's bone-chilling compositions envelop hard rock and sub-disco funk with a gritty

apocalyptic urge. Conjuring strange film images, "Theme from The Warriors," "The Fight," and "Baseball Furies Chase" are testosterone-laden instrumentals, combining sinister guitars and plodding drum work peppered with creepy-sounding keyboards. Adding laid-back soul texture is a smooth Mandrill rarity, "Echoes in My Mind," highlighting solid basslines popping over funky horns and catchy vocals. 
                    

Memorable audio clips from the mysterious female DJ informing rival gang factions of brutal clashes

are placed between tracks, as well as the infamous battle cry "Warriors...come out to play-aay!" -- complete with clacking beer bottles. The film's exhausting conclusion is forever cemented to Joe Walsh's desperate survival anthem "In the City," as our heroes walk triumphantly into a dreary Coney Island sunrise. This dark slice of pop culture was available only on vinyl sources until 1995, when Polygram International released an import version on compact disc.
                            

Various – The Warriors (The Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)
Label: A&M Records – CD 3151
Format: CD, Album, Stereo
Country: US
Released: Oct 1988
Genre: Electronic, Rock
Style: Soundtrack

TRACKS

                    

01. Barry De Vorzon – Theme From "The Warriors"   3:57
Engineer – Gary Ulmer
Producer, Arranged By, Written-By – Barry De Vorzon
02. Arnold McCuller – Nowhere To Run   3:15
Written-By – Holland, Dozier, Holland
03. Kenny Vance With Ismael Miranda – In Havana   3:56
Written-By – Artie Ripp, Steve Nathanson
04. Mandrill – Echoes In My Mind   6:09
Written-By – C. Wilson, C. Cave II, L. Wilson, Dr. R. Wilson, W. Wilson
05. Barry De Vorzon – The Fight   1:23
Engineer – Gary Ulmer
Producer, Arranged By, Written-By – Barry De Vorzon
06. Joe Walsh – In The City   3:54
Engineer – Gary Ulmer
Producer, Arranged By, Written-By – Barry De Vorzon, Joe Walsh
07. Genya Ravan – Love Is A Fire   4:54
Written-By – Johnny Vastano, Vinnie Poncia
08. Barry De Vorzon – Baseball Furies Chase    2:26
Engineer – Gary Ulmer
Producer, Arranged By, Written-By – Barry De Vorzon
09. Johnny Vastano – You're Movin' Too Slow   2:54
Written-By – Eric Mercury, William Smith 
10. Desmond Child – Last Of An Ancient Breed    4:09
Written-By – Desmond Child

NOTES

Joe Walsh appears courtesy of Elektra / Asylum Records
Genya Ravan appears courtesy of 20th Century Fox Records
Desmond Child and "Rouge" appear courtesy of Capitol Records
Ismael Miranda appears courtesy of Fania Records
Mandrill appears courtesy of Arista Records

Flac Size: 252 MB