Main Cast: Vic Morrow, Christopher Connelly, Fred Williamson, Mark Gregory, Stefania Girolami
Release Year: 1983
Country: IT
Run Time: 86 minutes
Plot
One of many post-apocalyptic science-fiction films which poured out of Europe in the wake of George Miller's Mad Max, this film stars Stefania Girolami as Anna, who runs away from her wealthy but obnoxious family into the surrealistic biker gangland of the Bronx. There, she meets Trash (Marco de Gregorio), part of a gang called The Riders, and soon falls in love with him. Problems arise when Anna's father (Enio Girolami), president of the evil Manhattan Corporation, sends in a psychopath named Hammer (Vic Morrow) to stir up trouble among the rival gangs, including a black club led by Ogre (Fred Williamson) and a rollerskating group led by Golem (Luigi Montefiori). Castellari's direction is surprisingly stylish and exciting, but all of the hyper-macho posturing eventually grows tiresome for anyone over fifteen. Still, undemanding viewers will have a good time, as the action keeps coming fast and furious, laced with suitably hardbitten dialogue by director Enzo G. Castellari, Elisa Livia Briganti and Dardano Sacchetti. A minor classic of testosterone cinema, followed by several sequels starting with Fuga dal Bronx (1983). ~ Robert Firsching, All Movie Guide
Review
1990: I Guerreiri di Bronx is one of the more successful examples of the post-apocalyptic action film genre that became popular during the early '80s. Most films from this genre borrowed heavily from The Road Warrior, but 1990: I Guerreiri di Bronx actually draws much more inspiration from The Warriors and Escape From New York. Although the film was obviously shot on a low budget, it benefits from solid technical credits. Sergio Salvati's slick cinematography captures the gritty action in a colorful comic book style, and Walter Rizzati's pulsating rock score fits the film's style nicely. Director Enzo Castellari rolls out punchy action sequences at a steady pace, but can't gloss over some of the film's sillier excesses (for example, the roller-skating gang comes off as unintentionally funny instead of surreal). 1990: I Guerreiri di Bronx also suffers from inconsistent performances. In general, the supporting performances are better than the leads; Stefania Girolami and Marco di Gregorio make bland protagonists, but Fred Williamson provides a commanding presence as Ogre and Vic Morrow steals many a scene with his macho turn as Hammer. Ultimately, 1990: I Guerreiri di Bronx is probably too silly and overblown for a general audience, but is likely to please exploitation fans in search of cheap thrills. ~ Donald Guarisco, All Movie Guide
