Studio: Arrow Video
Release Date: February 9th, 1979 (theatrical) / December 19th, 2023
Run Time: 1 hour 33 minutes 9 seconds (theatrical) /
Region Code: FREE
Disc Count: 2 (2 BD-100s)
Picture: 2160p (1.85:1 aspect ratio) (theatrical), 2160p (1.78:1) 2005 version)
Sound: English LPCM 1.0, English DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0, Dolby Atmos (theatrical) / English DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 and English DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 (2005 version)
Subtitles: English SDH
Slipcover: Yes (slipcover over a slip box)
Digital Copy: No
Starring: Michael Beck, James Remar, Deborah Van Valkenburgh, Marcelino Sánchez, David Harris, Tom McKitterick, Brian Tyler, Dorsey Wright, Terry Michos, David Patrick Kelly
Written by Sol Yurick, David Shaber, Walter Hill
Directed by Walter Hill
Rating: R (violence and language) (both versions)
Picture: 2160p (1.85:1 aspect ratio) (theatrical), 2160p (1.78:1) 2005 version)
Sound: English LPCM 1.0, English DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0, Dolby Atmos (theatrical) / English DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 and English DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 (2005 version)
Subtitles: English SDH
Slipcover: Yes (slipcover over a slip box)
Digital Copy: No
Starring: Michael Beck, James Remar, Deborah Van Valkenburgh, Marcelino Sánchez, David Harris, Tom McKitterick, Brian Tyler, Dorsey Wright, Terry Michos, David Patrick Kelly
Written by Sol Yurick, David Shaber, Walter Hill
Directed by Walter Hill
Rating: R (violence and language) (both versions)
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Poster
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What's It About?
Cyrus, the leader of the most powerful gang in New York City, the Gramercy Riffs, calls a midnight summit for all the area gangs, with all asked to send nine unarmed representatives for the conclave. A gang called The Warriors are blamed for killing Cyrus as he gives his speech. They now have to cross the territory of rivals in order to get to their own 'hood. The Warriors slowly cross the dangerous Bronx and Manhattan territories, narrowly escaping police and other gangs every step of the way.
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Video/Audio
Presented in the film's original aspect ratio of 1.85:1, and taken from a brand new 4K remaster, the theatrical cut of THE WARRIORS looks amazing. Films shot in the 70s have a different look and feel to them than films made outside the decade with deep blacks and browns and this transfer captures these colors expertly. Other colors like reds and greens make appearances as well and the HDR handles them all wonderfully. Film grain is thin but present and there doesn't seem to be any digital manipulation or compression issues. This is a great looking transfer.
The Alternate Cut looks exactly the same except the framing has been opened up a bit to a 1.78:1 aspect ratio. I have no idea why this version has a different aspect ratio outside of that is what Walter Hill wanted.
All of the included tracks sound great with the film's score sounding the best, but I always go with the film's original theatrical mix so the 1.0 track is one to go with.
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Extras/Packaging
Disc 1: Theatrical Cut
Audio Commentary by Walter Chow
Isolate Score
War Stories (15m 47s, HD, 1.78:1) An Interview with Walter Hill, film exclusively for Arrow Video in 2023
Whole Lotta Magic (1h 24m, HD, 1.78:1) A roundtable discussion in which screenwriter Josh Olson (A History of Violence, The Movies That Made Us podcast) and directors Lexi Alexander (Green Street), and Robert D. Kryzkiwshki (The Man Who Killer Hitler and Then the Bigfoot) talk about their love for The Warriors and the work of director Walter Hill. Filmed exclusively for Arrow Video in 2023.
Battline Boundaries (8m 13s, HD, 1.78:1) An interview with editor Biller Weber about his work in The Warriors and his relationship with director Watler Hill. Filmed exclusively for Arrow Video in 2023.
Gang Style (9m 8s, HD, 1.78:1) An interview with costume designer Bobbie Manix about her iconic work on The Warriors. Filmed exclusively for Arrow Video in 2023.
The Armies of the Night (5m 48s, HD, 1.78:1) An exclusive look at photos and costume designs from the archive of Bobbie Manix. Created exclusively for Arrow Video in 2023.
Come Out to Play (10m 8s, HD, 1.78:1) Take a guided tour of the iconic locations of The Warriors' Coney Island home turf with Adam Rinn, artistic director of Coney Island USA. Filmed exclusively for Arrow Video in 2023.
Sound of the Streets (24m 33s, HD, 1.78:1) An appreciation of the film's iconic soundtrack by film historian and composer Neil Brand. Filmed exclusively for Arrow Video in 2023.
Archive Special Features
- The Beginning (14m 6s, SD, 1.33:1) A 2005 featurette looking back on how The Warriors came to be, featuring interviews with producer Lawrence Gordon, actor James Remar, editor David Holden, and writer/director Walter Hill
- Battleground (15m 23s, SD, 1.33:1) A 2005 featurette in which director Watler Hill and assistant director Davis O. Sosna look back at the difficulties of shooting on location in New York City.
- The Way Home (18m 6s, SD, 1.33:1)hA 2005 featurette on the look of the film with contributions from director of photography Andrew Laszlo.
- The Phenomenon (15m 22s, SD, 1.33:1) A 2005 featurette featuring director Walter Hill and the cast of The Warriors
Theatrical Trailer (1m 43s, HD, 1.78:1)
Image Gallery (8m 20s, HD) auto plays with music from the film's score.
Disc 2: Alternate Version
An archival introduction to the 2005 Alternate Version (1m 17s, SD, 1.33:1)
THE WARRIORS comes to us courtesy of Arrow Video. We start out with a slipcover featuring brand new artwork by Laurie Greasley. Removing the slipcover reveals a nice thick slipbox, the same kind Arrow Video has using for years. This slip box features the same artwork as the slipcover. I wish Arrow had used some other artwork, maybe the film's theatrical poster, but it still looks nice. Inside the slip box is a 14mm, black 4K blu-ray case, a double sided poster featuring the commissioned artwork on one side and the film's theatrical poster on the other side. There is also a 100 page booklet that features new writing by film critic Dennis Cozzalio along with archival materials. Inside the 4K blu-ray case three sheets of stickers featuring the gang logos for the gangs in the film along with 6 postcards that are reproductions of art cards from the film's release.
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Overall
THE WARRIORS is a fun flick with a story that keeps everything moving swifting and a runtime that doesn't overstay its welcome. It is very clear that the film has had a lot of influence on films that would come after it mainly JOHN WICK CHAPTER 3: PARABELLEM and CHAPTER 4. More people need to see THE WARRIORS.
Arrow Video has given us a great addition with perfect picture and sound. The special features are all worth the time. It is a shame that the features from the Imprint blu-ray are not included here as there were more interviews along with the scenes from the TV version of the film. It appears that some of the features from that release were carried over but not all of them. Kind of weird. Still, this is the best edition out there and worth the money.
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Packaging
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 4K Blu-ray Review + Packaging Shots){kind=link}
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