Thrilling Tales of Street Gangs

Description: While not strictly about street gangs, Stanley Kubrick's film features a gang of "droogs" engaging in ultra-violence, making it a unique entry into the genre with its dystopian setting and psychological depth.

Fact: Kubrick withdrew the film from UK cinemas in 1973 due to concerns over copycat violence, and it was not re-released until after his death.

Description: This cult classic follows a New York City street gang, The Warriors, as they fight to return to their home turf after being framed for a murder at a gang summit.

Fact: The film was based on the novel by Sol Yurick, which was inspired by the ancient Greek tale of Anabasis. It has since inspired numerous cultural references and homages.

Description: Sergio Leone's epic spans decades, detailing the rise and fall of a Jewish-American gangster in New York, with elements of gang warfare and betrayal.

Fact: The film was originally over 6 hours long, but was heavily edited for its theatrical release, leading to controversy and multiple versions.

Description: This film follows two LAPD officers as they patrol gang-infested neighborhoods, offering a gritty, realistic look at gang culture and police tactics.

Fact: The film was one of the first to depict the Crips and Bloods gang rivalry in Los Angeles, influencing many subsequent films and TV shows.

Description: John Singleton's directorial debut explores the lives of young African-American men in South Central Los Angeles, highlighting the pervasive influence of gangs and the struggle to escape that life.

Fact: Singleton was the youngest person ever to be nominated for the Best Director Oscar at age

Description: A gritty portrayal of life in Watts, Los Angeles, where a young man tries to navigate the dangerous world of street gangs, drugs, and violence, seeking a way out.

Fact: The Hughes Brothers, who directed the film, were only 22 years old when they made this powerful debut.

Description: This French film captures 24 hours in the lives of three young men from the suburbs of Paris, where gang violence and police brutality are daily realities.

Fact: The film was shot in black and white to emphasize the starkness of the environment and the characters' lives.

Description: Set in the mid-19th century, this epic tale of gang warfare in New York City captures the brutal struggle for control of the Five Points neighborhood. It's a must-watch for its historical context and intense gang rivalries.

Fact: The film was originally planned to be directed by Steven Spielberg, but Martin Scorsese took over. The set for the Five Points was the largest ever built for a movie at that time.

Description: This Brazilian film offers a raw, unflinching look at gang life in the slums of Rio de Janeiro, following the lives of two boys who take very different paths in the criminal underworld.

Fact: The film was shot in real locations in Rio's favelas, and many of the actors were non-professionals from the area. It was nominated for four Academy Awards.

Description: While not exclusively about street gangs, this film delves into the world of organized crime in Boston, with undercover cops and moles creating a tense, gang-like atmosphere.

Fact: Martin Scorsese won his first Best Director Oscar for this film, which was a remake of the Hong Kong film "Infernal Affairs."