Based on the novel of the same name by Richard Price, The Wanderers is set in the Bronx in 1963 and follows the exploits of a gang of Italian - American teenagers and their ongoing power struggles with rival gangs the Fordham Baldies and the psychotic Ducky Boys. Never really finding the first run audience it deserved (it was beaten to the Box Office by Walter Hills' The Warrior's), this touching coming of age drama and end of an era saga has since become a cult favourite since its theatrical rerelease in 1996. Director Philip Kaufman intentionally cast unknown actors in key roles after teenagers from across New York City turned up to audition, including Linda Munz, who was so convincing that the character of Peewee was specifically written for her having never appeared in the novel. Most of the filming took place on location in the Bronx, and drew the attention of real life gangs and former members of the 'real' Baldies who complained that they were being portrayed badly in the film. The climatic football game and mass brawl with the Ducky Boys takes place at Van Contlandt Park, filming got so out of hand that supposedly several cast members and camera crew ended up getting hospitalised. Kaufman and Price compiled the movies soundtrack themselves, it includes one of the best uses of Ben E Kings' Stand By Me ever committed to film, the song playing in the background as the death of JFK is announced to a shocked public. The film also features Bob Dylan performing The Times They Are a-Changin, but the song was not included on the soundtrack album released by Warner Bros Records.