1990: The Bronx Warriors

1990: The Bronx Warriors

Theatrical release poster
Directed by Enzo G. Castellari
Produced by Fabrizio de Angelis
Written by Elisa Livia Briganti
Dardano Sacchetti
Starring Vic Morrow
Christopher Connelly
Fred Williamson
"Betty" Elisabetta Dessy
Mark Gregory
Stefania Girolami
Music by Walter Rizzati
Cinematography Sergio Salvati
Edited by Gianfranco Amicucci
Release dates
  • 22 August 1982
Running time
 86 minutes
Country Italy
Language Italian

1990: The Bronx Warriors (Italian: 1990: I guerrieri del Bronx; UK title: Bronx Warriors) is a 1982 Italian action-science fiction film directed by action director Enzo G. Castellari. It was the penultimate film for American actor Vic Morrow.

Plot

Anne (Stefania Girolami) is the 17-year-old heiress to the arms manufacturing giant, The Manhattan Corporation. Unable to face her guilt over inheriting a morally questionable company when she turns 18, Anne runs away into the lawless wasteland of New York’s Bronx. According to the film publicity: “In the year 1990 the Bronx is officially declared No Man’s Land. The authorities give up all attempts to restore law and order. From then on the area is ruled by the Riders”.

Attacked by a roller skating gang called The Zombies, Anne is saved by members of The Riders, and taken under the protection of The Riders’ leader Trash (Mark Gregory). The Manhattan Corporation hires a ruthless and psychopathic mercenary named Hammer (Vic Morrow), who turns the various Bronx gangs against each other to ensure Anne is returned.

Cast

Production

Filmed in 1981 in both Rome and New York, 1990: The Bronx Warriors featured a complete unknown as the male lead: 17 year old Marco de Gregorio (billed as Mark Gregory in all but the Italian release) who was spotted by director Enzo G. Castellari at a gym they both frequented. Castellari states on the director's commentary of the DVD that Marco was very quiet, hardly speaking but doing a workout on his own and keeping to himself, but stood out due to his looks, physique and height.

This was Vic Morrow's last complete role. He died in a helicopter accident the following year, while filming Twilight Zone: The Movie.

Release

The film premiered on 22 August 1982 in Italy . Released in US theaters/drive-ins the following year on 22 April 1983 from former US independent distributor United Film Distribution Company (UFDC) in America. It was released on DVD in the United Kingdom on 26 March 2003 on DVD. An American DVD release occurred as part of the Stephen Romano Presents Shock Festival series on 8 January 2010. Blue Underground has announced a Blu-ray/DVD combo pack for the film and its sequel, scheduled for release later in 2015.

General

The movie spawned a sequel in 1983 entitled Escape From The Bronx.

In 2004 a website was set up for both films. It contains two interviews with director Enzo G. Castellari conducted for the website, and information on an ultimately successful attempt to locate lead actor Marco Di Gregorio (Trash), who vanished from public view around 1989. The website also contains an old message from Castellari and his son Andrea asking Mark to contact them.

References

    External links