The Wanderers (1979)
- Starring:
- Ken Wahl, John Friedrich, (more)
- Director(s):
- Philip Kaufman
- Theatrical MPAA Rating:
- R
- Format(s):
- DVD
View All Versions to rent and buy
Synopsis of The Wanderers
The year 1979 saw an epidemic of American street-gang films, including Phil Kaufman's hit period drama The Wanderers. Set in the Bronx in 1963, the film concerns the titular gang of Italian-American teens and their ongoing power struggle with the rival "Fordham Baldies." Richard Price, upon whose novel this film was based, drew from his own experiences to weave his tale. Essentially a series of anecdotes-some tension-filled, some amusing -- The Wanderers climaxes on the occasion of the J.F.K. assassination, which for Price and hundreds and thousands of his aimless contemporaries served as a wake-up call. Viewed from the vantage point of the 1990s, one would wish that the current street gangs be shocked into adulthood with such suddenness (though not through the same tragic means). Ken Wahl, Karen Allen, and Linda Manz are among the standout performers in this richly detailed period piece. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Theatrical Feature Running Time:
- 117 mins
Complete Cast of The Wanderers
- Ken Wahl - Richie
- Karen Allen - Nina
- Toni Kalem - Despie Galasso
- Jim Youngs - Buddy
- William Andrews - Emilio
- Val Avery - Mr. Sharp
- Michael Wright - Clinton
- Tara King - Pretty Girl
- Adam Kimmel - Folk Singer
- Tony Munafo - Tony
- Frank Ferrara - Wanderer
- Bruce Nozick - Dushie
- Burtt Harris - Marine Recruiter
- Rosemary de Angelis - Waitress
- Leon Grant - Boo Boo
- Ken Foree - Black Sportsman
- John Friedrich - Joey
- Linda Manz - Peewee
- Tony Ganios - Perry
- Alan Rosenberg - Turkey
- Erland Van Lidth - Terror
- Dolph Sweet - Chubby Galasso
- Dion Albanese - Teddy Wong
- Konrad Sheehan
- Richard Price - Bowling Bankroller
- Jery Hewitt - Bowler
- Sam Williams - Roger
- Faith Minton - Big Lady
- Alan Braunstein - Ducky Boy Leader
- Sally Anne Golden - Crying Woman
- Olympia Dukakis - Joey's Mom
- Director(s):
- Philip Kaufman
- Writer(s):
- Philip Kaufman, Rose Kaufman
- Producer(s):
- Martin Ransohoff
- Theatrical MPAA Rating:
- R(Adult Language, Violence, Profanity, Not For Children, Adult Situations)
- Looking for special editions of The Wanderers?
- See All Versions
- Subtitles:
- Check All Versions
- Closed Captioning:
- Check All Versions








