Absent-minded street thug Rusty James struggles to live up to his legendary older brother's reputation, and longs for the days of gang warfare.
Cinematography
Stephen H. Burum's shadow-drenched black-and-white that screams 'I went to film school.'
Score
Stewart Copeland's rhythmic clanging — yes, the Police drummer went full experimental.
Acting
Mickey Rourke's whispered, catlike performance that launched a thousand crushes.
Director
Francis Ford Coppola
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Coppola made this immediately after The Outsiders, financing it himself when studios balked at the experimental black-and-white.
The film flopped so hard it became a cult object — exactly the fate its characters would romanticize.
US
