The Wanderers is a 1979 film based on the novel by Richard Price. This drama tells the story of several youths growing up together amid the various gangs of 1963 New York City. It starred Ken Wahl, featured Karen Allen and was directed by Philip Kaufman.
The film centres around the members of a North Bronx youth gang and their fights with other gangs. However, the movie has gained popularity and cult status over the years because of its sensitive depiction of teenagers coming of age.
The gangs named in the movie, though fictionalized, are based on real gangs encountered by Price in his childhood. Real names of actual Bronx gangs of the era -- Fordham Baldies, Ducky Boys -- are used. As well, The Wanderers was the name of an actual gang located in South Brooklyn that was part of the larger South Brooklyn Boys gang.
Set against the urban jungle of 1963 New York's gangland subculture, this coming of age teenage movie is set around the Italian gang the Wanderers. Slight comedy, slight High School angst and every bit entertaining with its classic 1950's Rock n' Roll soundtrack such as "Walk Like a Man", "Big Girls Don't Cry" by The Four Seasons and "My Boyfriend's Back" by The Angels. Focusing around a football game where the different gangs play with and against each other, then at its grand finale, come together in a mass of union to defend their honour and their turf. Nostalgic stuff and above all a Rock n' Roll retrospective on a grand musical era. Timeless. Written by Cinema_Fan
