STREETS OF FIRE

US, 1984, 94 minutes, Colour.
Michael Pare, Diane Lane, Willem Dafoe, Rick Moranis, Amy Madigan.
Directed by Walter Hill.

Streets of Fire calls itself a rock and roll parable. It was co-written and directed by Walter Hill, veteran of many screenplays including The Getaway and directing of tough action movies ranging from Southern Comfort to the 48 Hours series, Extreme Prejudice. He also made The Warriors, a story of gangs in New York - and this film relates in some themes and treatment to that film. It is set in New York, in a stylised generally night setting where gangs raid neighbourhoods and kidnap rock stars and there are battles to take back the rock star leading to confrontations in the streets.

The cast is strong, although Michael Pare in the lead is a non-acting type of hero. Diane Lane is the heroine. Willem Dafoe, who was to become much more famous, is the villain. Amy Madigan, who was also to move into a stronger career, is the tough sidekick. Rick Moranis (who is much better at comedy) is grating as the manager. Robert Townsend appears briefly as one of the back-up group.

The film has a strong soundtrack by Ry Cooder (Paris Texas). It is designed for young audiences - but is very much a part of its time.

1. Interesting action drama? Rock and roll musical? Fable?

2. The city locations, the stylised colours and sets, the streets, the bars, homes, the musical numbers? The confrontations and fights? The strength of the musical score, the songs, the musical background?

3. The title, New York City, the gangs, youth? Rock and roll, tensions, fights and fires?

4. The focus on Tom Cody, a man of the neighbourhood, his relationship with Ellen? His going into the army, leaving responsibilities? His leaving the army, return home, seeing Ellen performing? His being welcomed by his sister, Reva? The news of Ellen's abduction? The pressure on him to get her back? The chance meeting with McCoy? in the bar, palling up with her, allowing her to come home? Buddies? Reva and the information about Billy, the meeting in the bar, his cantankerous attitudes? The plan to rescue Ellen? The confrontation with Raven and his gang? Billy and his antagonism towards McCoy?, their going, stalking out the buildings, McCoy? and the gun, Tom Cody and his rescuing Ellen? Bringing her back? The dangers in the car, the police blockade, taking over the bus with the black singers? Breaking the blockade, travelling on the train? Tom and his relationship with Ellen, the clash, the abuse, the reconciliation? Her going back to singing? The police warning him to be out of town? The build-up to the confrontation with Raven, his arrival, his punching Ellen and getting her to safety? The fight and his defeat of Raven, the gang leaving? His watching the concert, his decision to leave town, the wanderer?

5. Ellen, the songs and the performance, the abduction, kept by Raven, relationship with Cody, his leaving her and her being hurt? The rescue, the antagonism towards Cody? Friendship with McCoy? The police blockade, the trains? The reconciliation with Cody? Performance, his leaving town, her being resigned to this?

6. McCoy?, the army background, in the bar, the clash with the barkeeper? Friendship with Cody, talk, going home? In on the action, Billy not liking her? In the rescue, the gun, the driving, the bus, the clash with the police? Friendship with Ellen? On her way and wandering with McCoy?

7. Raven, his gang, the bikies of the city, style, dress, bikes? The abduction of Ellen? Riding to their own part of town? Keeping her? The confrontation with Cody and his group, the fight, the explosions? Wanting vengeance, the return? Confrontation with Cody, the fight and defeat? The picture of the gangs in the city?

8. Billy, his clothes, talking, cantankerous manner? The manager, his relationship with Ellen? Paying the money, not wanting McCoy? to come? The stakeout, in the bus? Attitude towards the black singing group, change of heart? The rescue, the fight? His being reconciled to Cody?

9. Reva, admiration for Ellen, love for her brother, in the diner? Trying to help things along, the information about Billy? Her continued support?

10. The police, not liking the gangs, warning Cody? The build-up to the confrontation? Ordering Raven away, on Cody's side? The picture of the other police at the road block - and their taking the money, double-dealing?

11. The black singing group, their bus taken, the audition, in the action, gaining the place on stage with Ellen?

12. An artificial world, of rock and roll, of gangs, of people trying to do the right thing, of wanderers? A fable for the '80s?