DVD Review: Kino Lorber releases The Wanderers (1979) on blu ray

THE WANDERERS

Directed by Phillip Kaufman. Screenplay by Phillip and Rose Kaufman based on the novel by Richard Price. Starring Ken Wahl, Dolph Sweet, Olymipa Dukakis, John Friedrich, Karen Allen, Toni Kalem, Alan Rosenberg, Jim Youngs, Tony Ganios, Linda Manz. Running Time: 112 minutes. Released July 4, 1979

In 1973, George Lucas made a film addressing the post-1950s hangover period of the early 1960s before the Kennedy assassination and Beatlemania. “American Graffiti” has since become a classic comedy of the era, accurately depicting the myriad of types who seemed to disappear as “sixties era” truly developed. The one sub-group that Lucas didn’t explore were the leather-jacketed gang members. Represented by the Pharaohs in “American Graffiti” they were essentially comic stereotypes.

Phillip Kaufman’s low budget indie film “The Wanderers,” based on Richard Price’s novel, took years for him and his wife to adapt into a screenplay, but the resulting focus on the element that “American Graffiti” avoids makes it a brilliant counterpart. The period music is tougher (Four Seasons, Dion of course) and the characters have a real edge. Ending with the JFK assassination and Dylan’s “The Times They Are A-Changing” coming from the soundtrack, “The Wanderers” neatly and effectively captures an era.

Rival gangs are examined from different perspectives as each has its own sub-group status, even extending to a group of middle aged men who appear to consider themselves patriarchal representatives of the culture. Racial tension in the pre-civil-rights era is explored. And the violence, the coming-of-age introspection, and reactions to everything from families, the prevailing culture, the military and Vietnam are all addressed. The climatic football game, orchestrated to settle rival racial gang conflicts, is the film’s action highlight. The conclusion seems a bit pat, but somehow works in context. The film is visually atmospheric while being culturally representative. Already a period piece at the time of its initial release, “The Wanderers” remains effective on that level.

Where “American Graffiti” was about fresh-faced California youth, The Wanderers is about the edgy New York element. In a decade that is filled with significant cinema, The Wanderers was a sleeper that enjoyed little impact when first released, but has grown into a cult favorite (a re-release in 1996 performed significantly better at the box office, and to date the film has grossed over $20 million, far surpassing its meager production costs).

Kino Lorber’s new blu ray release offers two discs – one features the theatrical release, and the other has the preview version before any edits were made, running a full eight minutes longer. The set is loaded with extras, including two separate commentaries (the one for the theatrical release is by Phillip Kaufman himself), a reunion film, promo materials from its first release, and the featurette “Back to the Bronx.”

Despite its impressive cult following, “The Wanderers” still remains underrated overall (it appears to be better known in Europe). It is recommended for al libraries, research centers, and collectors interested in independent filmmaking, especially from this era.

"The Wanderers" is available here.