THE WARRIORS - greatest love stories - can you dig it? Film analysis / review by Rob Ager

The most action packed, underrated love story ever, THE WARRIORS.
Written, edited and narrated by Rob Ager.
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[@collativelearning]

For all you Warriors fanatics out there, make sure to check out my character analysis of Ajax too kzbin.info/www/bejne/bJ2coGVrq7inqNU

[@adamofgrayskull7735]

Look its Windows from The Thing

[@sirlawrence9161]

Rob, I would also add Swan had to shed some of the more toxic friends (i.e. Ajax) in order to take that next step into adulthood, which Swan is doing, as he is not just getting out of Coney Island, but exiting his youth and youthful pursuits (the gang life).

[@collativelearning]

@@sirlawrence9161 Definitely. He has a problem with Ajax from the start.

[@BlakeWard]

What fantastic movie

[@todareistodomyfoot8403]

Genius lightening in a bottle film that will never be repeated. The best gang chase film I've ever seen and still looks fantastic today.

[@WalkBesideMe]

Swan stopping Mercy from fixing her hair is one of the most romantic things I've ever seen in a movie. The Warriors is an all time favorite of mine, the look, the tone, the characters, the music all make this a classic for me.

[@perceivedvelocity9914]

I remember my highschool Art teacher talking about the Warriors. This was during the mid 90's. He felt that it was a pointless film that was not art. Most of the people in my class had seen the Warriors on VHS and considered it a cult classic. (I miss Blockbuster video!) The teacher was shocked when nobody agreed with him.

[@collativelearning]

This is one of those movies the critics didn't have the slightest clue about because they either had no experience of poverty and street violence or they were unwilling to step into their youth mindset to relate to it.

[@sneakyking]

Over qualified under IQ

[@Muskateering]

@@collativelearning maybe cuz it leans into gritty exploitation genre as well, rare for any critic at the time to appreciate.

[@coinraker6497]

I would have replied to him I didn't know movies had to have a point, just that they tell a good story.

[@SpicyTexan64]

@@sneakyking You determined the IQ of the teacher from his opinion of a film? You are a genius.

[@stevenedwards4470]

I never read Swan's preventing Mercy from fixing her hair on the subway as being for the other group's benefit. I thought he was saying "You're fine as you are and don't degrade yourself by being self conscious in front of these rich kids who have known no struggle". Idk. Either you're too good hearted or I'm not good hearted enough. 😝 I grew up in Coney Island in that time. No Warriors. Lots of solo warriors.

[@collativelearning]

That doesn't sound much different to what I said in the vid :)

[@CorbCorbin]

@@collativelearning I thought that was what you were inferring to. I guess, he’s saying for their benefit, opposed to just Mercy’s.

[@at0micwerew0lf]

That's my favorite scene 🍺⚡🍺 I'm not from Coney but I've spent a lot of time there, my second favorite place in the world behind where I live now.

[@projektkobra2247]

LOL....I wish Id read this comment before I made mine!...I didnt realize I wasnt alone in thinking how important that scene was!

[@LasPhoenix777]

Same

[@palaceofwisdom9448]

Mercy's remarks in the subway tunnel about her promiscuity are particularly interesting. They indicate that the only value of chastity is to trade it for a better standard of living from a well off man. There's no concept of it being special when reserved for someone you love, but she doesn't dress up her behavior as Girl Power either. She's seizing the only happiness she expects to find. It's very direct, honest and sad.

[@Joe-pb4ol]

The "Afluent couples" are high schools kids who attended prom. They are dressed with prom clothes, and the corsage Swan picks up, is given on proms. The boy who takes a girl to prom gives them the corsage. You take a girl you are romantically interested to prom, and give her a corsage. I am not sure if other countries have Prom but they have them here at the end of Primary School, Middle School, and High School.

[@ampieltd]

Correct. In the credits, which we see in this video, they are referred to as "Prom Couples."

[@LoneCloudHopper]

Interesting.

[@smithryansmith]

Yeah, there were a few cultural elements that he misinterpreted in his analysis, but it didnt affect the overall thesis. European countries don't have proms, but there are balls, which serve a similar purpose but can be more family oriented, and tend to be a bit classier.

[@igormorais4192]

I've said it before but your original The Warriors analysis on KZbin forever opened my eyes to the technical and thematic depth of movies. It's been a decade or so and I've been an assiduous fan of your work since. Nobody comes close. Great job once again

[@infinitesimotel]

Question is do the makers of these movies actually consciously know how much they put into this and we are just following their trail, or do they unwittingly create these pieces that reach beyond their own awareness and manifest as a result of manifesting an organized product that is greater than the sum of it's parts?

[@rudolphguarnacci197]

​@@infinitesimotel That's the real crux of the matter. I think it's both. Maybe the greater director might consciously add more depth. Maybe the real artist goes with the flow and is directed by his subconscious.

[@CoreysCards]

You're overdub "Warriors come out of the closet" was... priceless :D

[@rick.d]

It's a fine line when somebody cracks themself up. This was LEGIT!

[@troyriser8074]

I can't count the number of times I've watched this film, but each time I watch it I pick up on something new, a small detail I hadn't noticed before. Thanks for the insightful analysis, Rob, as always.

[@arklowrockz]

Yeah....Swan stopping Mercy from fixing her hair. A lot of stuff implied there for sure but most of all it is a very intimate and even loving gesture. I always liked that even when I was young looking at the film.

[@christianbreitkreuz1710]

Yes, it always felt protective to me, as if he was saying: Don’t feel bad, nothing wrong with you.

[@PistonDriven]

A little comment on the pelvic thrust incident in the turnstile: She paid fare and he swooped along so he didn't have to jump over the turnstiles. And also to connect with Mercy (subconsciously, I agree..)

[@sistergrimace1567]

On the special edition Warriors DVD, I don’t remember if it was in the commentary or an included interview, Deborah Valkenburgh was moved when she talked about how much the movie meant to her, especially the love story.

[@BDTPBO]

Rob’s sense of humor is underrated.

[@rudolphguarnacci197]

Who is rated higher?

[@jeffreyrussell4874]

The leader of the Orphans looks more like David Schwimmer from Friends if he were a junkie lol

[@collativelearning]

Hehe

[@itwsntme]

The scene in the train station where Mercy shows up with the jacket is another writing masterstroke from Hill. If I remember correctly, the jacket came out of necessity, She had injured her wrist in a previous scene and the jacket was used to hide the cast.

[@leedad]

yeah she broke her arm

[@frankenjstein9371]

I've never perceived the Warriors to be an "action" movie. I lived in NJ when this came out, some of the dialogue is believable. This movie was a reflection on life, love, violence, allegiance, sexuality only wrapped up into an Urban fairy tale. One of my favorite movies.

[@collativelearning]

Never lived in NY but did spend my teens in Liverpool slums in the 80's which were fairly brutal. The Warriors is highly relatable to anyone who's lived in violent poverty-stricken neighbourhoods.

[@col.greasebagmcqueen9933]

​@Collative Learning I can assure you the sprawling trailer park I lived in as a child in north eastern Kentucky had its own brand of poverty induced violence that is not dissimilar.

[@ChieftainMk5]

Grohl was in Crocodile Dundee as business man that Mick talks to out of a car window in New York

[@kaizarcantu8240]

This love story makes so much sense to the characters involved. They can fall for each other, in spite of their circumstances, but love will bloom their way: rough, direct, full of distrust and always on the edge of violence.

[@fractaljack210]

One of my favourite movies. I grew up in a rough neighborhood in the late 70s and 80s and some moments with the characters are familiar. The subway scene always struck me as true.

[@111calling]

can I just say, I love the tone of voice and the enthusiasm and jokes you had in this video. I was expecting something more clinical but I love the attitude in this video

[@collativelearning]

Required being that many won't have the stomach for the love theme stuff :)

[@ryangettig274]

@@collativelearning This was one of your better ones,Some bodacious hilarity in your tongue in cheek barbs:)

[@kerrytakashi12]

I liked this film since I was young. The actor who played Fox stated that he was fired for fighting with the director and off behavior on the set. He was the one who didn't want his name on the credits. Due to that kind of debut, it always surprised me that he went on to do more movies. As far as the love story. It was always the main focus of the film. It just doesn't punch you in the face with it.

[@pow3rscr3w64]

Regarding the Lizzies, they say their “dudes” went up to the Bronx, the location of Cyrus’s gang summit. The other Lizzie then alludes to the reputation of the Warriors. I’ve always interpreted this to mean the Lizzies were a companion gang to a male gang at the big meeting, as they obviously are following the Riffs’ mandate to attack the Warriors.

[@collativelearning]

Yeah that was their story, but were they telling the truth?

[@catslino5037]

@@collativelearning Clearly they were not, but the warriors should have noticed that inconsistency, if their boyfriends went to the Bronx, the lizzies would have to know about the summit, and probably heard by now of the disaster it was. If they were being honest they would have pressed the warriors for details.

[@moviearchaeologist9655]

Convincing and genuinely good love stories, so few of them. I do like romance movies that are good like Harold and Maude, Cactus Flower and As Good as It Gets, but girls around me who say they cried at the end of Titanic, I was verging on crying at the end of Remains of the Day, The Fly and even The Terminator (that has a great love story).

[@collativelearning]

Great choices. Cactus Flowers is a criminally forgotten gem.

[@catslino5037]

That element is rarely disacussed with Terminator as well! It starts with agression, then bewilderment, compassion, and in the end they are so close thanks to their struggle. It makes Kyle Reese's death so much more tragic.

[@pieroog]

"Escape from Alcatraz" is such an awesome movie!

[@coinraker6497]

They eventually got married. Swan quit the gang life for good and got a 9-5. Unfortunately she missed the excitement and the "normal" Swan bored her to tears. They divorced a year later...

[@thebri2000]

She belong to the streets

[@ShaunHensley]

Ten years later, cheating on him for the final 7 years.

[@jlw184]

Swan was in Zanadu after he was a Warrior. Looked real Gay.

[@CorbCorbin]

He actually moved to L.A., lost his memory, and met a muse. He opened a really “happy” roller skating rink/dance club with Gene Kelly. Mercy died in a knife fight, two days after the night they met.

[@coinraker6497]

@@jlw184 yeah but I'll take Olivia Newton-John over Deborah Van Valkenburgh all day. 😉

[@jpphilosopher]

Thank you Rob for posting this and making another video on The Warriors! I love your videos on it!

[@starshineraiser6729]

Wow, I love how you’ve articulated Swan’s disillusionment with gang life and him detesting a superficial relationship.

[@HeyMykee]

Yeah, "jump" Definitely had the double meaning in America in the late 70's. Another great romance (in a way much more typical Hollywood) is the original Terminator. A love triangle, with 2 rough characters from out of town showing up (mysterious bad boys) both interested in Sarah. One of them has "Always loved her", and came across time to rescue her and make her pregnant with the savior of Mankind. The other bad boy is abusive, and of course they have to fight over her to the death.

[@collativelearning]

Oh definitely. My character analysis in the Terminator (only available on my site) has a funny chapter dedicated to that interpretation.

[@HeyMykee]

@@collativelearning Thanks for the heads up. Downloaded and watching now. Excellent stuff, as always.

[@HeyMykee]

@@collativelearning Sorry to talk about the Terminator here on your Warriors video, but I don't know where else to do this. I had a friend who was a narcissist-full-on NPD-and he absolutely idolized the Terminator character for years after the movie came out. He bought a motorcycle and a full set of black leather duds that looked just like what Arnold wore, some Gargoyles, and even styled his hair just like Arnold did for the movie. He would even try to emulate the way he moved, the slow mechanical head turns, trying to be unsettling and intimidating. He even went one step farther and bought mirrored Gargoyles, which made it impossible to see his eyes (and thus his emotional reactions), and only reflected you back at yourself when you tried. This definitely plays into what you said in the analysis about the movie's appeals to power and invulnerability. Oh, and he definitely emulated the robotic impassivity of the Terminator's face too. Emotional armoring. About ten years earlier he idolized a character called the Exterminator One, in a comic book magazine called Eerie (Issue #'s 60, 63 & 64). It was sort of the Terminator but turned inside-out, the brain of a psychotic killer in the steel body of a killer robot. He loved the idea of complete invulnerability, and I think especially *emotional invulnerability* that it implied. And I honestly believe that Exterminator character played heavily into Cameron's movie. If you look up cover pictures (Eerie Magazine, Exterminator One) it looks a lot like the endoskeleton from the movie.

[@scottbubb2946]

Your daughter sounds cool. Oh yeah, that soundtrack is amazing. I bought the album when it first came out just for the Theme for the Baseball Furies. And, yeah, most movie romances, imo, seem very forced; especially in early sci-fi/horror films of the 50s. You can almost hear the script writers saying, "Okay, now we have to put in the love interest for our main character."

[@collativelearning]

Baseball Furies Chase ... yes, amazing piece of music.

[@serwinzzalot9989]

Ive been critical of alot of over analysis of each frame of empires trikes back. But this is the kind of analysis that is appreciated on youtube. I had the same epiphany when i rewatched the matrix and alien 3 after i caught my mom on different ocxasions watching these. I thought it she was flipping through tv but later on i found out she liked those movies. There are many more movies ranging from black and white films to bilingual and modern action movies that she watches. It has to have a good story and many layers to them for her to enjoy. I also respect my younger sisters angles on many action movies i adore.

[@hookybrickshooky9529]

Hi Rob, loved the video, great work as usual. I personally think that Swan prevented Mercy from fixing her hair in the subway because trough his gesture he told her not to be ashamed of herself.

[@dannyaxelsunday]

Thanks for this video Rob. As an 83 baby I was probably exposed to this movie far too early! However, perhaps because of that fact the love story sat this movie right next to The Princess Bride in terms of moves I could never get sick of as a kid. It's funny that now as an almost 40 year old man so many of my peers sight this as an exceptional film without directly mentioning this facet. Class as always! Keep up the good work.

[@wendychavez5348]

Thank you for taking the initiative to analyze something in a way that hadn't been done before! Not the first time you've done it, of course, and I'm grateful for all the other times you've filled a hole in the industry that way. This is why we love Rob!

[@foetaltreborus2017]

This is one of those films that just came out of nowhere & I not sure when or how...but not only a film that stayed with me but I saw it on Dvd & stunned how crisp it was & had to re check it wasn't bluray. It made it to my personal film "plateaux" collection - no top 50 or best ever etc...

[@PortlyPete]

i always loved the warriors and didnt really know why. it felt like it was more than what it was but i never put too much thought into why. i think your point on the scriptwriting is one of the keys to that. a movie like this really benefits from things being clear and concise.

[@kierank1982]

Fantastic analysis. I teach film and media and I've been toying with using Hill's work to explain auteur theory and your video tipped me over the edge. I think the young'uns would really dig it. Driver/The Warriors/48 hours maybe. I've always loved how Hill sets the premise of any film he makes really fast and he just grabs the audience's attention within only a minute or two of the film starting. Thanks for the video, it'll be a tremendous help with context.

[@collativelearning]

Cheers, and yes those three films are the pinnacle of Walter Hill's work. Have had the other two in mind for years for the film analysis treatment :)

[@kierank1982]

Please do if you can! I wish I had time to still do academic videos, otherwise I might have done it myself! The students have to make a video essay comparing two films for either genre or auteur theory using context as a framing device. Your work is solid gold so please keep up the great work!

[@UFO_computers]

I suppose you were already aware he was heavily involved in ALIEN rewrites?

[@jjohnson3469]

Just superb from start to finish, and I dug the genuine *feeling* between Swan and Mercy, which didn't come off misplaced exactly but just a very self aware sort of affection towards her. Swan knows Mercy, at least knows the type of girl she is, and isn't looking past that but he's accepting of it.

[@JMan77]

Another genius video. Love this film and the love story here is amazing. You really brought new meaning to it with this video.

[@AliceBowie]

Also, in motorcycle club subculture, no one can wear the club's "colors", logos, or patches, if they aren't full members. But a members "old lady" can when she's riding on the back of his bike, because otherwise people wouldn't see his club's patch. In biker clubs, almost all of the girls who hang around with one of the guys is considered "club property", unless a member chooses one to be his "old lady", then she's his property.

[@SoBayK80]

"even those who think they hate me" That's deep, man.

[@pauleaster5832]

This has got to be the best analysis of this movie I’ve ever heard. Picked up on way more than I ever noticed.

[@thpass]

Many younger viewers may lack insight of 1970s NYC and the urban nightmare reality it was. Street gang culture was huge in many cities at the time and the book and movie definitely play it up for extreme effect. Getting jumped was literally getting mugged, not "having a jump/ go " like the brits would say. Nor was "give me one" an implied sexual innuendo in this case either. That said, this analysis was spot on regarding Mercy and Swan's characters. I think Hill's idea for Mercy was a tough girl from the hood who could take care of herself in a modern take of the gangster moll. The gang's distrust of her reflects a noir femmme fatale angle to her. Deborah Van Valkenburgh's performance was under-appreciated and the film held a cult film status but little more in many critics views. This is a nice revisionist take on the understated love story.

[@eucliduschaumeau8813]

Manhattan in the late 1970s was exactly like the film. I remember clearly sidestepping and avoiding large gangs at night, often times multiracial, walking down the street with tire irons and bats. Crazy times.

[@stillhammered3060]

Back in the day woman/girls that hung around gangs were run a train on and turned into property to be passed around as needed. Pretty sure it's still the same way with biker gangs. One way to stay out of that was to be part of a female gang affiliated with a bigger group of guys.

[@Jimmywoodstock]

Great analysis as always Rob. Thanks for it. Have you ever played Death stranding? That game confused the life out of me, I would really love a Rob ager deep dive into it. Anyway be well 👍

[@VenusHeadTrap2]

One hour film study for free? You spoil us Rob!

[@Kit-Katts]

Alright Boppers, looking forward to this one 👍

[@barrycohen311]

In all seriousness, I rate this this masterpiece up there with Ingmar Bergman films, Kubrick, Antonioni, etc...

[@asifalimirza]

I was in the 6th grade when this movie came out. Although we were all too young to watch it, based on the trailers we would pretend that we were the warriors, we would put on jean jacket vests at school and run around the playground pretending we were running from rival gangs lol! Those were the days when movies actually excited us and the expectation of seeing them left you with sleepless nights and endless anticipation. Now movies are so uninteresting, dull and stupid that I have no idea, nor do I care what is in the theaters. Sad times

[@flibber123]

For me, love stories are tough to get into because most, not all, of what people consider to be a 'love story' involves a happy ending. And by happy ending I mean the people in love wind up happy together at the end. That's like watching a sporting event that is fixed, you already know who is going to win. It's boring. So the love stories I DO like are usually the ones that don't have happy endings. Romeo and Juliet, Casablanca, and The Graduate would be examples of that. Even the love stories that I like that have 'happy endings' don't really have a traditionally happy ending. The Goodbye Girl is an example of that. Casablanca and The Graduate might fit in this category now that I think of it. One of the most memorable scenes in The Warriors for me is the one on the subway where Swan and Mercy run into the couples who are all dressed up. Mercy feels embarrassed but Swan maintains a sense of pride. The couples are wearing their colors too, just like the gang members. The Warriors' love story has an interesting mix of happy but not really, like The Graduate. I mean, there's an element of "Now what?" to it.

[@collativelearning]

Yeah, fixed endings, totally agree with that.

[@coinraker6497]

Don't forget "Gone With the Wind", one of the all time not happy endings to a love story. As far as "The Warriors" goes, even though it ends with them walking on the beach holding hands I never saw them staying together long. I jokingly posted earlier that she gets bored with him after he quits the gang life. Truth is I always saw Swan better dealing her down the line 🤣

[@collativelearning]

@@coinraker6497 Haha

[@deathtron5000]

@@collativelearning You could add the ending of Big Trouble in Little China to the list plus it also has a subtle romantic subplot similar to The Warriors.

[@Spudcore]

This is exactly what my melted head needed. Thanks Rob.

[@georgehenry76]

“Cause I’m a warrior, yes I’m a warrior..I warrior around and round and round and round and round..”.. 🎶

[@DavidNounours]

Hi Rob ! thanx for all your work. The ORPHAN leader is Paul Greco, you may have seen him in Broadway Danny Rose ; Crocodile Dundee ; The Last Temptation of Christ ; Next of Kin ; Cable Guy ...

[@danrichards9516]

“We all know the youngins use their KZbins to get laid, but how does a middle aged man do it?” “Hold my beer” - Rob

[@collativelearning]

Getting tired of these groupies !!!

[@theceoofcrackcocaineandamp5961]

Is this why I haven't seen any women lately? Are they all in Liverpool? Thank you, Rob now I can sort my life out, legend.

[@mumhustler]

"let me know which one you'd pick" - Rob running his own honeypot op

[@cybermodo]

I remember great analysis of "Warriors" from many years ago, it was awesome. It was free on the KZbin back in those days, but then at some moment Rob moved it to his digital download only.

[@--SHEPHERD-OF-MOTHER-EARTH--]

Real... Tuff... Chick... One of the best movies ever!

[@philosophicalviking6808]

As always, I love your take on this movie. Having grown up in the NYC (born in ‘66) area back in the 70s and 80s, each one of these characters reminds me of someone I grew up with (including myself.) NYC was very much like this movie depicts it. It was thoroughly changed when Guiliani became mayor. Side note, I’ve heard it’s almost back to this hellscape nowadays. I would love it if you did a video on Altered States (1980). Thank you for the work you do, it’s greatly appreciated.

[@toniputin1096]

Excellent! I have loved this movie for over 40 years and I believe what you say is true. The love story is so unconventional, and doesn't interfere with the action theme one bit, that I never consciously thought of it as a love story. By the way, I know that the Orphans leader (the 'Dave Grohl' guy) has a cameo in the party scene in Cable Guy (I don't think he has any lines).

[@mickverv7243]

Great video rob!!!! always appreciate your insight on these movies. Truly an eye opener

[@OperaSauvage]

Rob Ager should be getting a bonus for doing impressions during the intro 😆

[@Wyrmwould]

Well, once again you've succeeded in helping me develop a greater appreciation for a movie I already loved. As for the scene with the two couples on the subway, I think that when Swan prevented Mercy from fixing her hair, he was just telling her to not be ashamed of herself (which is ironic considering all the insults she suffers in the film). By the way, what should we make of the name Mercy? What is your interpretation of the use of that name for that character?

[@collativelearning]

Was wondering about that name too.

[@coinraker6497]

I think it's the most powerful "non action" scene in the movie. Especially when she closes her eyes to shut them out.

[@jhornburg01]

Maybe this is too simplistic, but Swan...is that because he’s going to grow into something more beautiful?

[@stephenwalker2924]

@@collativelearning Mercy is Circe. The film is patterned on Homer's The Odyssey. Hence: "Circe begging Ulysses for mercy after he has resisted her drugged cup..."

[@louithrottler]

You'll like this one Rob. (for reference I'm reading from the 'trivia' page on IMDB on the film) Fox (Thomas G Waites) in the movie serves as the 'information guru/specialist'. Called upon for his knowledge of gangs numbers, affiliations etc etc. Although his death in the movie is explained by his inability to work with Walter Hill in real life: what is never stated is that, without Fox's knowledge of which gangs (after the truce) were tougher or weaker / affiliated or sworn enemies which may have served as invaluable to Swan tactically (as War Chief)... the plight of the remaining Warriors to find an 'easy' way home is now eliminated. In 'The Thing' (1982) Thomas Waites plays radio officer 'Windows' .... the link to the outside world... (wait for it).... The Warriors thematically is based on the ancient 'Battle of Cunaxa' (401 B.C) from Greek mythology: "An army of Greek Soldiers found themselves isolated in the middle of The Persian Empire. One thousand miles from safety. One thousand miles from the sea. One thousand miles with enemies on all sides. Theirs was a story of a desperate forced march. Theirs was a story of courage. This too is a story of courage". .... they were 'a thousand miles from nowhere man, and it's gonna get a hell of a lot worse before it gets any better!" also: A plot device Walter Hill favored in his movies was 'where the leader of a group is eliminated in the first act, and the unity and security of the team is thrown into disarray by the loss of its head' (so sayeth the imdb trivia page). Although not stated on said page, I soon came to realise something I hadn't up until now that the Riffs lost Cyrus, the Warriors lost Cleon in the 'first act'. Double bubble! From the trivia page it seems that the poor actress who played Mercy took more of a real life pasting than any of the Warriors actors. Michael Beck (Swan) hit her in the face somehow instead of throwing the bat at the cop (trivia bonus: the Cop also played Billy (get to da choppah) in Predator) - 3am hospital visit, stitches left a scar. In the scene where Fox dies the stunt double kept hold of her hand instead of letting go, breaking her wrist... this is why she was absent for a few scenes and the blue coat served to hide her arm sling. In the final scene, Beck and Deborah Van Valkenburgh (Mercy) were hastily told to just keep walking... however after a few minutes, Valkenburgh realised they'd doubtlessly walked way out of the cameras range. Irritated by this, the couple marched back annoyed only to find the cast and crew had bought her a huge bouquet of flowers. .... GAY

[@theceoofcrackcocaineandamp5961]

Didn't read most of that but I agree. Pure evil behaviour. Rest in peace stunt double who was actually ran over by a train to get the shot and broke a woman's wrist in anger, didn't do nuffin...

[@louithrottler]

@@theceoofcrackcocaineandamp5961 Didn't read much of yours cos the word Amphetamine came up. Let's be best buddies 😉

[@UFO_computers]

Probably Hill then who while re-writing of ALIEN script, killed off Dallas so soon leading to exactly the outcome you mention.

[@theceoofcrackcocaineandamp5961]

@@louithrottler yes

[@TheQrstOne]

@14:33, when you put this clip up earlier in the video, i was going to point out the little shimmy she does, a flirty feminine maneuver. It wasn't until this showing where you pointed out the heart locket that: A- the locket even registered consciously, and B- i noticed the light reflection in the locket. Very subtle but very well done, if it was intentional.

[@lakota_himself]

*puts noose down* Not today old friend, Rob dropped a video. (Also if you were ever to do anything on The Sopranos I would watch everything)

[@theceoofcrackcocaineandamp5961]

I understand, please don't kill yourself tho. That wouldn't be very epic.

[@SamLowryDZ-015]

I always saw this as an odyssey told as a comic book coming of age film (although I did not like the Directors Cut version with cartoon panels, as it reminded me too much of the Wonder Woman TV show.) With regards to the post wedding scene I interpreted the reaction is that she was trying to improve her appearance and Swans hand stopping her was to say you don't need to apologise for how you look or to try and be like them, he just wants her to be happy as herself. I think it also got a bad rap as when it was released it was promoted with the Wanderers and both films highlighted the violent aspects of the films rather than the story. Likewise there were IRRC also glib references attempting to liken the gang violence to A Clockwork Orange by the redtop press.

[@projektkobra2247]

28:30...he was trying to get in the station without paying as well....we used to do that on the TTC in Toronto all the time.

[@phyarth8082]

47:09 both girls have flower bracelets these kids had prom night, thus the last day at school night. It is a dichotomy, warriors being street-smart kids versus books-smart kids.

[@collativelearning]

Ah that's what it is eh. Being from UK i'm not so familiar with prom stuff.

[@col.greasebagmcqueen9933]

I gotta give it to ya, Rob, this definitely gave me some chuckles and a new way of looking at this classic.

[@allthingsclassicrock]

I just noticed on the poster the bald guy front left is Terry Michos (Vermin) with no hair. It’s like they put Vermin in and then decided to make him a part of a different gang lol!

[@coinraker6497]

Oh yeah you're right. Just figured he was one of the members of that shaved head gang but that's definitely a Warriors' vest and that studded leather wristband thing he wears. They really beefed up Swan for the movie poster too. 🤣

[@robertchavez5483]

One of my favorite films, thanks for this!

[@Featheon]

No one: Rob: go ahead, call me a f**!

[@GenX_Catholic]

This is absolutely one of your best. Right up there with The Shining videos. Well done.

[@ShaunHensley]

When she told him ' You said that before', I believe she was telling him she left her hanging. A tease

[@meeplecity7242]

Another great love story with some similarities to "The Warriors" is between Batman and Catwoman in "The Batman". Especially as both female leads are fiery, independent and can take care of themselves. Well worth a watch.

[@collativelearning]

I didn't like THE Batman personally. Turned it off halfway through. But then, I've never seen a Batman movie I liked. The 60's TV series is great though :)

[@georgeedward1226]

That stairway where Mercy makes her entrance seems unglamorous in the film but it's attached to a very desirable and extremely expensive brownstone in Long Island City (although it's supposed to be the Bronx in the movie). That neighborhood which is not far from me, is currently in the throes of redevelopment, so rich yuppies are more likley to inhabit that particular piece of real estate than the likes of Mercy, the penniless gangland groupie, or the glue-sniffing Orphans.

[@collativelearning]

Thanks for the time capsule update.

[@blockmasterscott]

Cochise was my favorite, he looked so cool with the feathers in his hair.

[@clintwestwood1895]

Cool analysis bro, I have always liked Swan and mercy's little love story in the film.

[@techniqueswithtodd]

Classic :) Very enjoyable analysis as well. Looking at this film through a modern viewpoint, it's amazing how cool these "gangs" managed to seem, despite all of them having to use public transportation and almost nobody owning a firearm.

[@random_eskimo_in_the_rockies]

FYI - "Jump your bones" was well used as a sexual reference in the late 70s when I was in jr. high/high school

[@cowboywaingro7259]

Thanks for the free upload Rob

[@williamhicks7736]

An outstanding choice of topic, Rob! I’ve always felt that The Warriors was a spectacularly creative and subversive film…. The Swan/Mercy relationship arc is a key element to the story and is what makes the journey meaningful…

[@nolagospeltracts8264]

And all this time I thought Mercy (although hot) was a throw away character. You opened my eyes.

[@SkeggsyDAR]

Very interesting video Rob. Your daughter has good taste in movies too!

[@flemmingstelling8079]

@ 7:34 - the "Orphan" actors name you are looking for, is Paul Greco , he was also in "The Cable guy" & "Broadway Danny Rose" - he sadly passed away in 2008.

[@SuperDarthKelly]

I've always thought the two fancy dressed couples on the train were coming from their high school prom

[@charliekelly1154]

Electronic/hip hop group, Gasoline, album; snap your neck back. Uses the Warrior sound bites throughout their album, It's a great album.

[@dwaynestarling9451]

One of my all time favorites. Beautiful analysis. The love interest really adds serious depth to an already very interesting story.

[@eucliduschaumeau8813]

The two couples who come on the subway are definitely prom couples. The corsage is a dead giveaway, as are the vulgarly bad tuxedos, which display a sense of adolescent naivety. Proms in the U.S. have always been a critical right of passage for the middle class, so the Warriors are seeing what they may have missed in their youth due to poverty or lack of means. It's past midnight and their notoriety has turned into a pumpkin. Proms follow the classic Cinderella story, which falls inline with the shabby princess in the beginning, yet the outro scene shows a glimmer of hope in the morning light.

[@rickgerrard8922]

Rob, somebody probably mentioned this but can't scroll through hundreds of comments--but you may have missed something with the mirroring couple on the train at the end. No, not coming from a wedding, but more likely, their High School Prom, a watershed moment for kids here in America. The brunette even "mirrors" Mercy a bit, but with a $50 hairstyling that morning. No prom dress for Mercy. Thus though is a reflection of what advantages other kids have, that the Warriors don't. The beginning of summer, the flash of a rainstorm earlier in the movie suggest this

[@londonmaths1557]

whats so amazing about their first encounter with her is they're not afraid at all to let it be known what their opinions are on her appearance and what her intentions may be...YOU ABSOLUTELY WOULD NEVER EVER GET A DIALOGUE LIKE THIS TODAY...the men would be some soft simpin pussies with a forced urge to hounor and praise her, and she would probably beat most of the men up in the film then the guys..this is why films today are absolute garbage...its so sad to see what the film industry has become R.I.P

[@PrincipalButtsavage]

This is what we fought all night to get back to?!? Maybe I'll just take off. Best line in the film.

[@lucasharris5727]

My lord, Rob Ager is a great man.

[@sethrowley8086]

Love this film and have done since I saw it 10 years ago when I was about 12, I went backpacking in America last year and I spent pretty much an entire day riding the subway with the warriors soundtrack in my headphones and only stopped when I was in Coney

[@DanielHuman1996]

Lol, who to pick out of the Lizzie's? I'd pick Rembrandt and get the hell out of there!

[@collativelearning]

Lol

[@dialmformowgli]

I think the couples on the train have been to prom, the flower is usually given by the date I believe (people in the US correct me here if not) so when he gives it to her this is as close as they will get to that, it is an awesome movie.

[@timavers]

This one is just so much fun and great analysis.

[@jlw184]

For me Rob, probably the blonde or the girl who met the guys at the beginning holding an umbrella.

[@aspiringgame-dev4509]

At 28:38 as a New Yorker, when he entered he was gonna jump the toll booth for a free ride, so it isn’t really a gesture or anything, it’s just getting a free ride, no underlying tones, I do this or have been the person in front with my friends here and there. Really no thought, just don’t want to pay

[@Taurine75]

Anyone ever catch the similarity of the music used in the subway scene when the leader of the skate gang tails Swan and that of Wendy Carlos’ main theme in A Clockwork Orange. It’s REALLY similar

[@collativelearning]

I knew it reminded me of something. Film def has overlaps with ACO.

[@UFO_computers]

@@collativelearning- have you done a vid yet on this?

[@theloanranger2632]

How did I miss this from 5 months ago? What the F?! This should have been front and center on my feed. KZbin sucks