The Wanderers

R

Released Jul 4, 1979

1h 53m

Comedy

Drama

List

89%

19 Reviews

Tomatometer

87%

5,000+ Ratings

Audience Score

The Wanderers are an Italian-American gang vying for respect on the streets of the Bronx in 1963. Between rumbles with rivals such as the Ducky Boys and the Fordham Baldies, the group of toughs learn some difficult lessons about life -- and love. Leader Richie Gennaro (Ken Wahl) finds himself entangled with Despie Galasso (Toni Kalem), the daughter of a mobster, while the artistically inclined Joey (John Friedrich) falls hard for Nina (Karen Allen).

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Roy V

This was a comprehensive effort of corporate proportions. It took a solid effort of non-actors to enliven a Coming of Age story. It was as raw as it gets and therein is found the beauty!

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

06/25/23

Full Review

Shay C

I don't know, I like several of the music choices, but it's also very crass and doesn't seem to have much of a point.

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

12/19/22

Full Review

andrea m

I think this movie is somewhat uneven and it really doesn't know what it wants to be. The directer wanted to put so much in it that it excels in nothing. Some scenes feel quite out of place and hard to be condoned. However, this crazy mix of genres entertains in the end: there are the gangs with their fights, there's friendship, there's family drama, of course there is romance, and finally the (failed?) coming of age tainted by the very poor choice that the "main" character makes, signing in to a mediocre life. The final product remains enjoyable and it does linger, thanks also to the likeable characters and an epic soundtrack.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

Full Review

antonis k

The Wanderers might have some weird moments that doesn't stand the test of time? but it's still a fun comedy drama with some nice messages and perfomances to make it worth your time. (6.5/10)

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Put every stereo type in and you got this movie that is supposed to be set early 60's Bronx. I never knew there was a China Town in the Bronx. Manhattan yes, part of Queens at the time maybe but the Bronx, no. The Fordham Baldies were real but the rest ???? I would love one time the Jews do a vicious sterotype on themselves, like stealing windows and orphans money as when I read the WSJ boy do they hold the monetary tricks par none.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

01/27/23

Full Review

Audience Member

One of the best and most realistic films of all time. Incredible acting, screenplay and soundtrack. The Wanderers is a classic and should be regarded as so. This movie makes you feel like you're right there in the Bronx in the early 1960's . A must watch!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/14/23

Full Review

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Philip Kaufman

Director

Ken Wahl

Richie

John Friedrich

Joey

Karen Allen

Nina

Toni Kalem

Despie Galasso

Alan Rosenberg

Turkey

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Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

The movie often skews closer to the nostalgic likes of American Graffiti than to more hardcore efforts like The Warriors.

Rated: 3/4

Apr 10, 2022

Full Review

Dennis Schwartz

Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews

Crudely entertaining.

Rated: B-

Jul 28, 2012

Full Review

Pablo Villaça

Cinema em Cena

Consegue traar um retrato nostlgico de uma poca em que at mesmo as gangues ainda tinham certa inocncia.

Rated: 3/5

Apr 13, 2007

Full Review

Jake Euker

F5 (Wichita, KS)

Rated: 3/5

Aug 24, 2005

Full Review

Emanuel Levy

EmanuelLevy.Com

Rated: 4/5

Jul 4, 2005

Full Review

Thomas Delapa

Boulder Weekly

Rated: 3/5

Jan 28, 2005

Full Review

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Synopsis

The Wanderers are an Italian-American gang vying for respect on the streets of the Bronx in 1963. Between rumbles with rivals such as the Ducky Boys and the Fordham Baldies, the group of toughs learn some difficult lessons about life -- and love. Leader Richie Gennaro (Ken Wahl) finds himself entangled with Despie Galasso (Toni Kalem), the daughter of a mobster, while the artistically inclined Joey (John Friedrich) falls hard for Nina (Karen Allen).

Director: Philip Kaufman
Screenwriter: Richard Price, Rose Kaufman, Philip Kaufman
Distributor: Warner Bros., Roadshow Home Video [au], Orion Pictures, Warner Home Vídeo
Production Co: Orion Pictures Corporation
Rating: R
Genre: Comedy, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jul 4, 1979, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Mar 29, 2017
Runtime: 1h 53m
Sound Mix: Stereo

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