Like TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE (which was widely believed to be an extremely gory splatter film) and like LAST TEMPTATION OF CHRIST and DOGMA (both falsely accused of blasphemy), Walter Hill's THE WARRIORS was another case of a movie which went beyond the hype and which turned out to be something other than what it was widely seen as. At the time of its release, it was accompanied by an advertising campaign which suggested that it was an ultraviolent movie which would cause social havoc. It was widely condemned by the morality police, most of whom had not even bothered to see it. Yet now, THE WARRIORS lives on, having attained the status of cult classic.
What makes it a classic? It's got the timeless theme of heroes and villains, exciting action and fight sequences, and an uncluttered storyline. It's also got some rather surreal elements (particularly the theme gangs) and just enough cheesy elements, particularly the dialogue and acting (e.g., "what's the name of your crew?" "We're the Lizzies." or "We might just pull a number on you. You look like you just might like it"). And who can ever forget the immortal catch-phrases - "Can you dig it?" and "Warriors, come out and play-ay!"
What makes it a classic? It's got the timeless theme of heroes and villains, exciting action and fight sequences, and an uncluttered storyline. It's also got some rather surreal elements (particularly the theme gangs) and just enough cheesy elements, particularly the dialogue and acting (e.g., "what's the name of your crew?" "We're the Lizzies." or "We might just pull a number on you. You look like you just might like it"). And who can ever forget the immortal catch-phrases - "Can you dig it?" and "Warriors, come out and play-ay!"