The best of the gang films to be released in 1979 (the list includes THE WARRIORS, WALK PROUD, and BOULEVARD NIGHTS), THE WANDERERS is a strangely compelling film directed with flair by Philip Kaufman (INVASION OF THE BODY SNATCHERS, THE RIGHT STUFF). While basically just a string of
vignettes about a gang of Italian-American teenagers living in the Bronx circa 1963, the film has an air of authenticity, as if it episodes were based on adolescent recollections. The performances in the film are uniformly strong, with Wahl, the protagonist, showing a great screen promise he has
never fulfilled (FORT APACHE, THE BRONX; and THE SOLDIER being dismal wastes of his talent)...
Released:
1979
Rated:
R
Length:
113 mins