The Warriors (gang)

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The Warriors are a fictional gang from the cult classic 1979 film The Warriors. They were also the main characters of the 2005 game The Warriors.

Contents 1 Turf 2 Uniform 3 Members 4 Other Warriors 5 Film 6 Video game

[edit] Turf

The Warriors are based on the west side (and, more recently, the east side as well) of Coney Island, in Brooklyn. Their main stomping ground is comprised by the many amusement parks of Coney Island, particularly the landmark that is Deno's Wonder Wheel, a now-iconic symbol synonymous with Coney Island and The Warriors.

Although they are mentioned only in the video game, never in the film, Coney Island was originally controlled by the Destroyers. Cleon, Vermin, Swan and Cowboy were all lieutenants in the Destroyers before each had a falling-out with Virgil: the Destroyers' treacherous warlord, who (unfairly) perceived them as a threat to his authority because they were so popular in the Destroyer ranks. This foursome proceeded to form the Warriors, who ultimately overthrew the Destroyers and have ruled "the Big C.I." ever since. Virgil was slain in a final confrontation with Cleon and Vermin; the other Destroyers fled Coney Island and have not been heard from since...save those who later joined up with the Warriors.

[edit] Uniform

The Warriors' uniform consists of a red leather (or pleather) vest with their logo embroidered on the back. The gang's logo consists of a death's head with eagle's wings (in the video game, it was a serpent with flaming wings). The gang seems to have an overall Native American theme, or at least influence; such is accented by the wearing of bead-necklaces and armbands by some members.

Recently, the clothing chain Steve and Barry's has begun selling a jersey-like t-shirt bearing the name "Coney Island Warriors" as if it were a sports team.

[edit] Members

The Warriors are a street family of 120 members, but only the nine chosen to go to Cyrus's meeting are shown in the film. The nine principal members in the film are:

• Cleon : The Warlord, leader of the gang. Named after the Ancient Greek politician. He famously wears a leopard-patterned cloth around his head as well as an Indian-style necklace. After Cyrus's assassination, Luther pins the murder on him, and he is beaten to a pulp by the Gramercy Riffs. Cleon is African-American. Cleon was originally a member of The Destroyers(who controlled East Coney), however, he and Vermin left after he was set-up in a drug deal with another gang, The Satan's Mothers. This led to a bitter rivalry between the Destroyers and the Warriors.

• Swan : The Warchief, second-in-command of the gang. Assuming control after the loss of Cleon, Swan makes the decision for the gang to continue wearing their colors and fight their way back home, though in general his leadership is more level-headed and practical than his brothers-in-arms. After successfully leading the group back to Coney, he wins a gunfight against Luther using only a knife. During filming, the script was changed so that he ends up with Mercy. Swan is Caucasian. Swan, like Cleon, Verim and Cowboy is a former Destroyer, however, he left the gang with Cowboy some time before Cleon and Vermin left. He and Cowboy met Cleon and Vermin, the first two Warriors at a king of the hill game and, after winning, the two were made members of the Warriors.

• Ajax : A cocky, loud, womanizing Warrior always up for a fight. After the loss of Cleon at the conclave, he engages in a short confrontation with Swan over who should assume command. He is said to be the strongest warrior and is certainly the most aggressive. He wears fingerless leather gloves and a black tank-top under his Warriors vest. Ajax is arrested when he tries to force himself on an undercover female police officer. He is named after the legendary Greek hero. Ajax is Caucasian.

• Vermin : Quick with a smile and a joke, Vermin is the most cynical member of the gang but a solid soldier and extremely loyal. According to the Warriors video game, Vermin formed the Warriors with Cleon. In an early script, he was supposed to be shot and killed by the Lizzies. Vermin is Caucasian. Vermin was originally a member of The Destroyers(who controlled East Coney), however, he left after he was set-up in a drug deal with another gang, The Satan's Mothers. This led to a bitter rivalry between the Destroyers and the Warriors.

• Cochise : A high-kicking Warrior who wears Native American-style jewelry, leather pants and boots. He sports an afro with a red bandanna tied around it. He is named after the Apache Chief. Like Vermin, he was scripted to die and then to be thrown into the Hudson River, though in the finished film he survives. Cochise is African-American.

• Fox : The Scout, Fox is very familiar with other gangs' tactics, territory, and numbers. He dies when he's thrown in front of a speeding train while struggling with a police officer. (Mercy later tells Swan that "the cops got him" because Fox told her to run as soon as he began fighting; she was not aware he died.) In the script, Fox was originally the love interest of Mercy, but the two actors had no chemistry and the Mercy romance was transferred to Swan. The actor playing Fox left the film over this, which necessitated his being written out of the story. Fox is Caucasian.

• Rembrandt : The Writer, the gang's graffiti artist, wears the standard Warrior's vest along with a messenger bag and an afro. The youngest member, Rembrandt is far less battle-hardened and is frequently looked after by the other members of the gang. He is most likely named after the famous painter. Rembrandt appears to be of Puerto Rican descent.

• Snow : A stoic, African American Warrior with an afro. In the script and deleted intro scene, Snow is referred to as "Snowball". A bit more reserved, he's still a talented fighter, proving his worth in the fights with the Baseball Furies and The Punks.

• Cowboy : A Warrior who wears a Stetson cowboy hat and a shirt underneath his vest. He is an optimistic, happy-go-lucky Warrior. Cowboy is Caucasian. Cowboy, like Swan, Cleon and Vermin, Cowboy is a former Destroyer. He and Swan left the Destroyers some time before Cleon and Vermin. He and Swan met Cleon and Vermin, the first two Warriors at a king of the hill game and, after winning, the two were made members of the Warriors.

• Mercy : A prostitute who is originally a member of the Orphans but finds herself aligned with The Warriors as soon as they meet. At the end of the film, she apparently quits her seedy job and pursues a relationship with Swan. She is Hispanic.

[edit] Other Warriors

• Ash
• Jones
• Malcolm
• Lynx
• Rhino
• Cody
• Royce
• Ace
• West
• Terrance

[edit] Film

Cyrus, the powerful gang leader of the Gramercy Riffs, calls a midnight summit for all the New York City area gangs, with all gangs asked to send nine unarmed representatives for the conclave. The Warriors, a gang based in Coney Island, Brooklyn, is one such gang.

The eloquent and intelligent Cyrus tells the assembled gangs that a citywide truce is needed, and that the gangs can unite to control the city and capitalize on the dwindling power of the NYPD. The gangs cheer Cyrus's ideas, but during the speech a nearby man pulls out a gun and kills Cyrus. Panic ensues. The murderer - revealed to be Luther, head of the Rogues gang - screams that the Warriors are responsible for killing Cyrus. While the Riffs beat Cleon, the leader of the Warriors, and the police arrive to break up the gathering, the other eight Warriors escape the melee and debate what to do. The Warriors now have a bounty on their heads, and the entire city's gang population is out hunting for them.

The Warriors begin their long journey from the Bronx back to Coney Island. The second-in-command, Swan, takes charge, though the hot-headed Ajax openly voices his desire to be acting gang warlord. The Warriors slowly cross the dangerous Bronx and Manhattan territories, narrowly escaping police and other gangs every step of the way. In the Bronx, they pick up Mercy, a feisty girl who quickly becomes attracted to Swan. When the Warriors get separated from one another in Manhattan, three Warriors are seduced by members of a female gang called the Lizzies. Back at the Lizzies' apartment, the women draw weapons to kill the Warriors, but the men narrowly escape again. During the night, gang member Fox is killed in a scuffle with police, while Ajax is arrested by an undercover police officer and taken to jail.

Meanwhile, the Gramercy Riffs are visited by a Rogues member who was at the conclave - the only witness to Luther firing the gun. The Riffs realize the Warriors are innocent, and they head to Coney Island. When day breaks, the Warriors finally return home but quickly have more trouble, as Luther and the Rogues are waiting for them. The two gangs meet on the beach, where Swan suggests he and Luther fight a one-on-one duel. Luther pulls a gun, but Swan quickly throws a knife into Luther's wrist, disarming him. Before more violence has a chance to happen, the Riffs mass on the beach and acknowledge they have learned the truth of Cyrus's murder. The Riffs' new leader compliments the remaining Warriors and lets them go. As the Riffs swarm on the Rogues, the Warriors head off down the shore.

[edit] Video game

Both the video game and the movie involve the same characters and locations. The primary difference, however, is in the fact that a large portion of the game takes place before the actual movie begins, with Rembrandt's initiation. The flashback missions show how Cleon formed the Warriors and how each of the other members joined. The Flashback missions take place in 1978, a full year before the movie is set. The events of the movie itself take place near the end of the game.

The game also looks deeper into various characters, fleshing them out and giving them personalities and backstories, where they might have only been seen in the background or mentioned in passing in the film. Cleon, for example, is the leader of the Warriors. The game portrays him as somewhat of a protagonist, whereas he dies within the first few minutes in the movie. The Warriors' insignia, a winged skull, is changed in the video game to a cobra with flaming wings. Many of the original actors voiced their roles in the video game, with the notable exceptions of Roger Hill,Tom Mckitterick(Cowboy), and David Patrick Kelly (who played "Luther").