AroView: The New York subway system has never played a more vivid character than in this cult classic set among the colourfully-named and outfitted youth gangs of the Big Apple.

While superbly shot in the actual locations, director Walter Hill favours entertainment over realism, and with little cussing or grim blood-letting delivers a visceral experience where the action never lags.

With its pulsing electro soundtrack, the vibe is West Side Story by way of Saturday Night Fever and A Clockwork Orange as the eponymous posse make their way through rival gangs of ‘boppers’ after being framed for the assassination of a revolutionary leader. Based on Sol Yurick’s 1960’s novel that is in turn based on the ancient Greek text (Anabasis), it speaks to the eternal nature of man and the specially troubled times we are now living through.

“Mixing ironic humour, good music, and beautifully photographed suspense, it’s one of the best of 1979.” ~Time Out

“You are never in danger of forgetting that somebody clever is at the helm.” ~Janet Maslin, The New York Times