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The Wanderers (1979): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Plot

The Wanderers (1979) movie poster

The Wanderers is a 1979 drama directed by Philip Kaufman, starring Ken Wahl, Erland van Lidth and John Friedrich. It is partly based on The Wanderers by Richard Price. It runs 1 hour 52 minutes and earned $14,492 worldwide. Critics gave it 64 on Metacritic.

worldwide gross
$14.5K
Metascore
64
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The Wanderers (1979) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 52m (112 min)
Director
Philip Kaufman
Genre
Drama
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is The Wanderers About?

The premise of The Wanderers without spoilers, adapted from The Wanderers by Richard Price. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.

In 1963 New York City, a teenage gang known as the Wanderers struggles to define themselves amidst the city's violent rivalries. The group, comprised of Italian-American youths, finds camaraderie through football games and the music of the era. As they clash with other gangs for control of their turf, they grapple with loyalty, honor, and the challenges of growing up in a tough environment. The story explores themes of friendship, belonging, and the bittersweet memories of adolescence against the backdrop of a changing city.

The Wanderers Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags
  • male pubic hair
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  • 1960s
  • father son relationship
  • pubic hair
  • man urinates outside
  • condom
  • rock 'n' roll
  • high school
  • football game
  • teenage sex
+38 more
  • prostitute
  • copping a feel
  • fully clothed sex
  • interrupted sex
  • film starts with sex
  • sex scene
  • year 1963
  • public nudity
  • pizza
  • strip poker
  • gang war
  • blackboard
  • kiss
  • john f. kennedy assassination
  • jacket
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  • cult favorite
  • rain
  • schoolteacher
  • class
  • black hair
  • urban setting
  • saying thank you
  • new york city
  • watching tv
  • woman wears lingerie
  • title appears in writing
  • singing
  • baseball bat
  • shaved head
  • asking someone out on a date
  • irish american
  • asian american
  • circle of friends
  • friend
  • friendship
  • teacher
  • reference to abraham lincoln
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Cast & crew

The Wanderers Cast

Ken Wahl leads the cast, with Erland van Lidth and John Friedrich. Directed by Philip Kaufman; 9 actors are credited in all.

From the director

More from Philip Kaufman

More films directed by Philip Kaufman, best-rated first: The Right Stuff, Invasion of the Body Snatchers, The Unbearable Lightness of Being and Quills.

Full filmography
Ratings

The Wanderers Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave The Wanderers 64 on Metacritic.

Plot

The Wanderers Plot Summary

What happens in The Wanderers from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 4-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

Set against the backdrop of the Bronx, New York City in 1963, the story unfolds with Richie (Ken Wahl), the formidable leader of an Italian-American street gang known as The Wanderers. As a World War II-era Hollywood film plays on a television screen, Richie attempts to convince his girlfriend, Despie (Toni Kalem), to take their relationship to a new level, marking their first intimate encounter.

Full summary

The whole story of The Wanderers, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Box office

The Wanderers Box Office

The Wanderers grossed $14,492 worldwide.

1979 box office

Worldwide gross

$14.5K

US & Canada
$14.5K
Videos

The Wanderers Trailers & Videos

3 videos: 3 trailers.

The Wanderers HD Trailer (1979)
  • Trailer The Wanderers ≣ 1979 ≣ Trailer #1
  • Trailer The Wanderers ≣ 1979 ≣ Trailer #2
Quiz

How Well Do You Know The Wanderers?

10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.

Question 1 of 10

  1. Question 1: not answered
  2. Question 2: not answered
  3. Question 3: not answered
  4. Question 4: not answered
  5. Question 5: not answered
  6. Question 6: not answered
  7. Question 7: not answered
  8. Question 8: not answered
  9. Question 9: not answered
  10. Question 10: not answered

Who is the leader of the Wanderers?

Cars

Cars in The Wanderers

22 cars on screen, including the 1949 Buick Super and the 1960 Chevrolet Impala.

All 22 cars
  • 1949 Buick Super in The Wanderers 1949 Buick Super Important role
  • 1960 Chevrolet Impala in The Wanderers 1960 Chevrolet Impala Important role
  • 1959 Mercury Monterey in The Wanderers 1959 Mercury Monterey Important role
  • 1963 Chrysler Newport in The Wanderers 1963 Chrysler Newport Minor role
Details

The Wanderers Also Known As

18 alternative titles, including “Gänget” and “Tuláci”.

Also known as
  • Gänget
  • Tuláci
  • The Wanderers - Terror in der Bronx
  • The Wanderers - I nuovi guerrieri
  • Las pandillas del Bronx
  • A csavargók
  • Les Seigneurs
  • Els rodamons
  • A Gangue da Pesada
  • Włóczęgi
  • ワンダラーズ
  • Мандрівники
+6 more
  • Os 'Vagabundos' de Nova-York
  • 火拼战车
  • Странники
  • Frajeři
  • 배회자
  • Los pandilleros

Seen The Wanderers?

FAQ

The Wanderers FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime

Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings, the book behind it and post-credit scenes of The Wanderers, each answered in a sentence.

How long is The Wanderers?

The Wanderers runs 1 hour 52 minutes (112 minutes).

When was The Wanderers released?

The Wanderers was released on July 4, 1979.

Who directed The Wanderers?

The Wanderers was directed by Philip Kaufman.

More films by Philip Kaufman

Who is in the cast of The Wanderers?

The Wanderers stars Ken Wahl, Erland van Lidth and John Friedrich, among 9 credited actors.

How much did The Wanderers make at the box office?

The Wanderers grossed $14,492 worldwide.

How is The Wanderers rated?

The Wanderers has 64 on Metacritic and 70% on TMDB.

Is The Wanderers based on a book?

Yes. The Wanderers is partly adapted from The Wanderers by Richard Price.

Does The Wanderers have a post-credit scene?

No. The Wanderers has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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