'Anybody who wants to understand what hip hop is all about needs to see a movie called Style Wars.' -KRS-One

When director Tony Silver and co-producer Henry Chalfant delivered the broadcast version of their prize-winning film to PBS in 1983, the world received its first full immersion in the phenomenon that had taken over New York City. The urban landscape was physically transformed by graffiti artists who invented a new visual language to express both their individuality, and the voice of their community. In STYLE WARS, New York's ramshackle subway system is their public playground, battleground, and spectacular artistic canvas. As MC's, DJ's and B-boys rock the city with new sounds and new moves, we see street corner breakdance battles turn into performance art.

Media

Watch NY Times A.O. Scott review »

Bonus Materials

• Disc 1 - The Film/ The Filmmakers:
• Over 23 min of original outtake footage
• Featured commentary by director-producer Tony Silver and producer Henry Chalfant
• Interview with Tony Silver and Henry Chalfant (2002)
• Interview with Style Wars editors Victor Kanefsky and Sam Pollard (2002)
• Digitally remastered 5.1 Dolby soundtrack featuring classic tracks from Grandmaster Flash, The Treacherous Three, Trouble Funk, The Fearless Four, Rammellzee vs. K-Rob + more
• Disc 2 - Hall of Fame:
• 32 artist galleries including new interviews, trains and rare photos of Blade, Cap, Cey, Crash, Crazy Legs, Daze, Dez, Dondi, doze, Duro, Duster, Frosty Freeze, IZ th Wiz, Kase 2, Kel Swift, Lee, Mare 139, Min One, Noc 167, Paze (Erni), Pink + many more
• Tributes to Dondi and Shy 147
• Guest interviews: Fab 5 Freddy, Goldie, Guru, DJ Red Alert, and photographer Martha Cooper
• 'Destroy all Lines' 30 min. loop of over 200 whole cars and burners
• Featuring music from: Def Jux recording artists El-P, RJD2 and Aesop Rock, plus Mr. Wiggle Kimson 'Angola-Red' Albert, and Darryl Jenifer

Cast & Crew

Director: Tony Silver

Producer: Tony Silver

Producer: Henry Chalfant

Additional Details

Label: Public Art

Genre: Documentary

Run Time: 280 mins

Region: 1

Release Date: 08/23/05

UPC: 804791000412