Ten Deep 09.02.10: Top 10 Movie Gangs

Posted by Mike Gorman on 09.02.2010

From The Crazy 88 in Kill Bill and Alex & His Droogs in A Clockwork Orange to the Goodfellas in Goodfellas and The Dead Rabbits in Gangs of New York, 411's Mike Gorman ranks his Top 10 Movie Gangs!

" Top Ten Movie Gangs"


This week I got to see the classic 80s movie, The Warriors for the first time. The film was great featuring a relatively simple plot, "Get home alive", and some very interesting characters. It got me thinking about the different types of gangs we have seen on film over the years and that evolved into a list of the ten best movie gangs.

This was a hard list to pare down to ten and I had to leave off some gangs that I really did enjoy, like the T-Birds from Grease, the Wanderers from The Wanderers and even the pseudo-gangs from Anchormen. Ron Burgundy and crew may not have been actual gangs but damn if they pulled off one of the greatest gang fights on film in recent times.

Let's be honest here, most if not all of these film gangs romanticize the lives of the real gangs that they reflect. But isn't that what movies are for? A bit of escape, mixed in with a bit of drama. I kept this in mind as I reviewed my lists. In the end, ten gangs kept rising to the top of and I am going to share them with you now.


10. The Newsies from Newsies





Not necessarily the most hard core or traditional gang on the list, the Newsies found strength in numbers and used that strength to bring the newspaper industry to its knees. They had different factions all over New York City, and were fiercely loyal to their leaders and friends. Sure they sang and danced, but that seems to be a characteristic of several gangs on film, like the "Jets" from West Side Story or the aforementioned "T-Birds."



9. The Foot Clan from Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles





You shouldn't be asking how the Foot Clan made this list but instead asking how could this list exist without them? In many forms of media, including the movies, the Clan has long been the primary nemesis of the pizza loving turtles. They are ninjas, from Japan and recruited in New York, lead with an iron fist by Shredder. They may not win in the end but they have gotten it together well enough several times to kick the ass of those four mutant turtles.



8. The vampires from Near Dark





Ok, the V word may never really be used in the film but they drink blood and burn up in the sun, so we know they are vampires. They are more than that though, they are one bad-ass violent gang of vampires that initiates their members for life, well, for afterlife I suppose. Like any good gang, they are stronger when together. The pool hall scene is one of the bloodiest and most well choreographed massacre scenes on film. Loyal readers (if you exist) may be shocked that I did not select The Lost Boys to represent vampire gangs here but at the end of the day, I had to give it to the crew from Near Dark. They are just more wild and intense.



7. The Dead Rabbits from Gangs of New York





Being of Irish descent, I find this gang fascinating, both on film and in the history books. The Dead Rabbits were made up of immigrant Irish in NY and they kicked ass often during the power struggle and riots of the 19th century in New York. While the film highly fictionalizes many events, it is said it did a pretty good job of capturing the fervor and honor of the Rabbits.



6. The Greasers from The Outsiders





They beat out the T-Birds for the chance to represent the Greaser culture on this list. In The Outsiders, the Greasers represent the image of a street gang as family. Their friendship is what strengthens their bond as they fight to find their way in an area deeply divided by class. Directed by Francis Ford Coppola, the film is also notable for featuring many actors who went on to be stars in later rolls such as Patrick Swayze, Rob Lowe, and Tom Cruise to name a few.



5. The Goodfellas from Goodfellas





The Goodfellas is a gang made up of some very dynamic characters portrayed by some of our best actors, including Joe Peschi and Robert DeNiro. The journey of Henry Hill, played by Ray Liotta, is fascinating as he brings us along for the ride. We get to see the extreme highs they experience and then the descent to rock bottom. The loyalty in this crew is a through line for the film itself, even in the face of betrayal.



4. Alex and his "droogs" from Clockwork Orange





I have to go back on one of my earlier statements. There is certainly nothing romantic about the gang from Clockwork Orange. They make the list because they are so supremely disturbing that they become unforgettable. Violent, and chaotic, Alex, portrayed with creepy precision by Malcolm McDowell, leads his band of sociopaths on a spree of robbery, murder and rape. They remind us that gangs can be things to be feared.



3. The Baseball Furies from The Warriors





There is an absurdist bent to the styling of many of the gangs in The Warriors. They are all distinct and unique but none more so than the bat wielding Baseball Furies. They dress in "old time" baseball uniforms and paint their faces with bright, sometimes neon paints. How the two relate I am not really sure and I don't really care. The Furies are of the few gangs that actually get to battle the Warriors as they journey home. Their fight in the park is one of the most memorable of the film.



2. The Crazy 88 from Kill Bill





Led by O-Ren Ishii, the Crazy 88 is a slick crew of katana wielding soldiers of a variety of ages (and clearly skill levels) that take on the Bride when she comes for O-Ren. Their "formal" black attire and masks give them a feeling of endlessness as you never know who falls and who survives to attack again during the battle. They are a formidable flurry when they charge the Bride and this battle is quite the sight to behold.




And lastly…



1. The Toecutter's Gang from Mad Max





They pop right into your mind when any discussion of movie gang's develops. They are the punk biker gang from the dystopian future of Mad Max. Led by the imposing and insane Toecutter, this gang rules the roads like an old West gang strode into towns and took over. They do what they like, when they like it and damn the consequences to those around them. They are in the game solely for their own gain and are not afraid to get violent to meet their goals. The Toecutter and his gang are way over the top and it works. They provide a great adversary for Max and help define the beginning of a franchise.

Get to know the gang a little in this great scene from the movie:



So what do you think? Did I miss your favorite crew this week? I am sure you'll gang up on me in the comment section and let me know!


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