This is part three of the filming locations feature. Click here for part one and here for part two.
The Warriors have split into two groups after they evaded the cops at 96th Street station. Cochise, Rembrandt and Vermin find themselves at Union Square station where they run into The Lizzies.
However, as you can see we are back at Hoyt-Schermerhorn Street station in Brooklyn.
The Lizzies stand at the bottom of the stairs.
If you watch this scene (or look at the next screen capture below) you can see they are stood on an outside platform so this would have been shot on the disused platform with white pillars (the other has steel pillars painted green) which is not open to the public. The photo below is a close representation from one of the platforms which is used by the public.
The Warriors go over to say hi! Note the Union signs on the walls and pillar. This confirms they are standing on one of the unused platforms. It would be great to visit this platform, if possible, in the future!
Here is the disused platform.
Meanwhile, Swan heads up some stairs to go and look for the other members of the gang.
These stairs are located off Riverside Drive near West 99th Street, close to the Firemen’s Memorial which we visited earlier.
Swan heads back to 96th Street station.
Which we already established was filmed at 72nd Street station.
Swan enters the station and runs into Mercy.
The old ticket booths inside have been replaced by full-height metal gates.
At the same time, Cochise, Rembrandt and Vermin head out with The Lizzies to their apartment.
This shot was taken on 10th Avenue looking at the corner with 49th Street which The Warriors will be running down in just a moment! I think these two images are sponsored by 7up! The giveaway that this is the right location is the pattern on the bricks on the far-right red brick building. I think they would have then gone through this gold-coloured door. I don’t know if that is where the interior shots were filmed unfortunately.
After The Lizzies try to kill The Warriors, the guys escape down West 49th Street and hide in this doorway.
This can be found between Ninth and 10th Avenue on West 49th Street.
Swan finally makes it to Union Square.
Which is the real Union Square! The green 4-5-6 platform to be specific.
Swan walks along the platform and is followed by the leader of The Punks who is on skates.
The fencing and wiring make this difficult to photograph.
Swan heads up a ramp.
If you go to Union Square station today you’ll find that it has been completely remodelled making it difficult to find recognisable filming locations. The ramp pictured below was apparently used for the scene where The Punks leader skates down. It is not open to the public as it now forms part of a police precinct that I had special access to (thanks David Guti!). Another ramp now forms part of the locker room for the police precinct and is also not recognisable but was used for other shots in the scene. Note that the wall on the left is not original and was built up the middle of the ramp. The distinctive step pattern on the right-hand wall is still visible even though the hand rail has been removed.
Finally, the Warriors regroup at Union Square.
Which looks something like this today.
The final shot at Union Square is this one where The Warriors are walking down the stairs towards the Playland arcade.
These are the stairs they come down. You can see the original sign on the wall at the very back of the shot. The area with the arcade machines was immediately behind me but there is now a wall there blocking access to where this would have been. The fight scene was actually filmed on a set – the only scene in the movie that wasn’t filmed at a real location. Also note that the guy in the Centre of the photo is Konrad Sheehan – leader of The Punks!
Now we come to the final location in the movie – Coney Island. Here we see the sun rising over the Wonder Wheel.
I managed to also capture an early morning shot from a similar angle.
The subway train arrives into Coney Island, Stillwell Avenue.
The subway station has undergone a massive change over the last few years but this would have been where The Warriors would have disembarked after their night in the city.
Moving into the amusement park, The Rogues turn off West 12th Street onto Bowery Street.
The iconic Cyclone rollercoaster is still there and is mighty good fun to ride!
The Rogues follow The Warriors down Bowery Street.
Some of the rides have now gone like the Astrotower (which was demolished in 2013) and the large ride in the foreground of the shot.
We continue down Bowery Street towards West 15th Street.
The large yellow building has since been demolished.
The gang then run under the boardwalk to prepare for their encounter with The Rogues.
It’s not possible to run under the boardwalk today as it is fenced off unfortunately.
In this infamous scene, Luther tells The Warriors to come out and play-ay-ay!
This area has also been extensively redeveloped. The baths have now gone and have made way for more amusements and stores on the boardwalk. The ramps are still there.
As we reach the final scene, The Warriors can be found on the beach.
It is of course nearly impossible to find the right spot!
Finally, The Warriors head off into the sunrise down the beach.
However, this shot was probably not filmed at Coney Island as it doesn’t have any dunes, rocks or wooden poles like those shown above. People have said that the beach scene was probably filmed at nearby Breezy Point but it’s not easy to get to as there are no subway connections. I leave you with this view of the beach at Coney Island.
This is part three of the filming locations feature. Click here for part one and here for part two.