1990: I guerrieri del Bronx, 1990: The Bronx Warriors
A heavy metal journey into an urban hell where everything has gone wrong
Rating: 5/10
Running Time: 88 minutes
UK Certificate: 18
On DVD
17-year-old Mark Gregory stars as Trash, leader of The Riders a motorcycle gang that survive in the Bronx of the future. Crime has supposedly risen to such impossible heights that the police have abandoned the Bronx to its own devices the gangs now rule the streets. In reality, most of the Bronx is owned by the corrupt Manhattan Corporation who would like to develop the land. They have inflated the crime rate in order to get the government to give up control, allowing them to forcibly remove people from their homes without interference. However, they do not control the streets and to complete their plans they will have to deal with the street gangs.
The gangs largely co-exist, each staying off the others' turf, with the Ogre (Fred Williamson) ruling over all as self-styled King of the Bronx. The balance is upset when Trash encounters Ann (Stefania Girolami), a girl who has run away from civilised Manhattan, who he saves from a rival gang. The two are immediately attracted to each other, and she joins up with him and his gang. However, she is the heir to the Manhattan Corporation and has run away because she fears being used as a puppet. The men in power will stop at nothing to get her back, even bringing in the legendary mercenary Hammer (Vic Morrow). Ann is taken by another gang, and the race is on as to who reaches her first. But Trash must also prevent Hammer turning the gangs against each other while fighting to get Ann back.
Originally made in Italian (although filmed in the Bronx) as 'I Guerrieri del Bronx', this cult classic was later dubbed into English. Only recently released in its uncut version, it was notorious for its violence and suffered extensive cuts in both its original UK and US releases. It also featured a lot of real Hell's Angels as the supporting bikers. It has to be said that these days the violence in it looks quite restrained and won't shock as many as it once did. Suspension of disbelief is definitely required in order to deal with gangs who roller skate or tap dance, but the imagery of it all remains quite vivid.
It's Got: Lots of startling imagery.
It Needs: More violence its no longer living up to its reputation.
DVD Extras Just the basics with this budget single-disc release. Extras: Picture gallery, Filmographies, Trailer. DVD Extras Rating: 2/10
Summary
Dated cult low-budgeter that nonetheless still has something to offer to fans of the genre.