The Wanderers
The Wanderers

The Wanderers

1979Movie117 minEnglish

The streets of the Bronx are owned by '60s youth gangs where the joy and pain of adolescence is lived. Philip Kaufman tells his take on the novel by Richard Price about the history of the Italian-American gang ‘The Wanderers.’

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Insights

IMDb6.7/10
Rotten Tomatoes69%
Google Users74%
Director: Philip KaufmanGenres: Crime, Drama, Romance

Plot Summary

In 1963 New York City, a group of street gang members known as 'The Wanderers' navigate the turbulent social landscape of their youth. As inter-gang rivalries escalate and personal lives intertwine with the pressures of adolescence, they face escalating violence and the looming uncertainty of their futures. The film captures the spirit of rebellion and camaraderie amidst the backdrop of a changing era.

Critical Reception

The Wanderers received a mixed to positive reception upon its release. While some critics praised its energetic direction, authentic depiction of 1960s youth culture, and strong performances, others found its narrative somewhat uneven and its violence gratuitous. Audiences, however, often connected with its nostalgic portrayal of a bygone era and the coming-of-age themes.

What Reviewers Say

  • Praised for its authentic 1960s atmosphere and energetic style.
  • Noted for capturing the raw emotions and conflicts of teenage gangs.
  • Some found the plot meandering and the violence excessive.

Google audience: Google users generally appreciate the film's nostalgic look at 1960s New York youth culture and its portrayal of gang life. Many viewers enjoyed the soundtrack and the sense of camaraderie depicted among the characters, though some found the story's progression a bit disjointed.

Fun Fact

The film's director, Philip Kaufman, reportedly insisted on using original 1960s music for the soundtrack to enhance authenticity, which significantly boosted the film's period feel.

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My Review

TMDB Reviews

2 reviews
griggs79

griggs79

_The Wanderers_ definitely isn’t perfect—some moments felt awkward and dated, especially that uncomfortable racist word battle, which made me cringe more than once. But if I look past those issues, there’s plenty here to enjoy, particularly...
John Chard

John Chard

Rumble in the Bronx. The Wanderers, an Italian street gang in the Bronx 1963, preparing for a rumble with rival gang the Del-Bombers, try to enlist other gangs to help their cause. However, as the times are a changing, The Wanderers and ...