1990: The Bronx Warriors
Encyclopedia
1990: The Bronx Warriors is a 1982 Italian action
-science fiction film
directed by Enzo G. Castellari
.
Bronx, described as:
“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.
One scene has the twin towers of the World Trade Center
visible in the background, during a meeting of main gang The Riders and the dominant Bronx gang The Tigers led by Ogre (Fred Williamson). Members of the New York chapter of the Hell's Angels Motorcycle Club appear as members of the Riders during the big gang meet. The Hell's Angels found humor in Marco Di Gregorio's stiff, talk and openly mocked him during shooting. The drummer that is inexplicably included in this scene was not scripted but was in the area of shooting the day that the scene was to be shot. Castellari included him in the scene, without any explanation being given as to why he was there, heralding the gangs' arrival and starting up again as they leave.
This was Vic Morrow's penultimate movie as he died while filming Twilight Zone: The Movie
the following year.
and was first time released on 26 March 2003 on DVD in the United Kingdom
. In the United States
was released as part of the Stephen Romano Presents Shock Festival DVD on 08 January 2010.
.
Action film
Action film is a film genre where one or more heroes is thrust into a series of challenges that require physical feats, extended fights and frenetic chases...
-science fiction film
Science fiction film
Science fiction film is a film genre that uses science fiction: speculative, science-based depictions of phenomena that are not necessarily accepted by mainstream science, such as extraterrestrial life forms, alien worlds, extrasensory perception, and time travel, often along with futuristic...
directed by Enzo G. Castellari
Enzo G. Castellari
Enzo G. Castellari is an Italian film director. He became famous during the 1960s by directing several spaghetti westerns with such titles as Go Kill and Come Back Enzo G. Castellari (born July 29, 1938) is an Italian film director. He became famous during the 1960s by directing several spaghetti...
.
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’sNew York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
Bronx, described as:
“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
- Stefania Girolami as Anne
- Marco Di Gregorio as Trash
- Vic MorrowVic MorrowVictor "Vic" Morrow was an American actor whose credits include a starring role in the 1960s TV series Combat!, prominent roles in a handful of other television and cinema dramas, and numerous guest roles on television...
as Hammer - Christopher Connelly as Hot Dog
- Fred WilliamsonFred WilliamsonFred "The Hammer" Williamson is an American actor, architect, and former professional American football defensive back who played mainly in the American Football League during the 1960s.-Football career:...
as The Ogre - Betty Dessy as Witch
- Rocco Lero as Paul
- George EastmanGeorge Eastman (actor)George Eastman is an Italian B-movie actor and screenwriter.Eastman was born in Genoa, Italy. He took his Americanized alias "George Eastman" when he was cast as a "heavy" in many spaghetti westerns made in the late 1960s and early 1970s...
as Golem - Carla Brait as Iron Man Leader
- John Sinclair as Ice
- Enio Girolami as Ted Fisher
- Enzo G Castellari as the Vice President
Production
Filmed in 1981 in both Rome and New York, 1990: The Bronx Warriors had 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 standing out due to his looks, physique and height.One scene has the twin towers of the World Trade Center
World Trade Center
The original World Trade Center was a complex with seven buildings featuring landmark twin towers in Lower Manhattan, New York City, United States. The complex opened on April 4, 1973, and was destroyed in 2001 during the September 11 attacks. The site is currently being rebuilt with five new...
visible in the background, during a meeting of main gang The Riders and the dominant Bronx gang The Tigers led by Ogre (Fred Williamson). Members of the New York chapter of the Hell's Angels Motorcycle Club appear as members of the Riders during the big gang meet. The Hell's Angels found humor in Marco Di Gregorio's stiff, talk and openly mocked him during shooting. The drummer that is inexplicably included in this scene was not scripted but was in the area of shooting the day that the scene was to be shot. Castellari included him in the scene, without any explanation being given as to why he was there, heralding the gangs' arrival and starting up again as they leave.
This was Vic Morrow's penultimate movie as he died while filming Twilight Zone: The Movie
Twilight Zone: The Movie
Twilight Zone: The Movie is a 1983 science fiction horror film produced by Steven Spielberg and John Landis as a theatrical version of The Twilight Zone, a 1959 and '60s TV series created by Rod Serling. Those starring in the film are: Dan Aykroyd, Albert Brooks, Vic Morrow, Scatman Crothers,...
the following year.
Release
The film premiered on 22 August 1982 in ItalyItaly
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
and was first time released on 26 March 2003 on DVD in the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
. In the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
was released as part of the Stephen Romano Presents Shock Festival DVD on 08 January 2010.
Reception
The movie topped the American billboard charts for 3 weeks when released. It spawned a sequel in 1984 entitled Escape From The BronxEscape from the Bronx
Escape from the Bronx is a 1983 Italian action film directed by Enzo G. Castellari. Also known as Escape 2000 and Bronx Warriors 2 it was featured on Mystery Science Theater 3000 under the Escape 2000 name...
.