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Perry King, Sylvester Stallone, Henry Winkler, Paul Mace, Susan Blakely ... see more see more... , Maria Smith , Armand Assante , Paul Jabara , Caren Kaye , Joan Newman , Antonia Rey , Ray Sharkey , Geraldine Smith , Dolph Sweet , Martin Davidson , Bruce Reed , Lou Byrne , Renee Paris , David Stein

This low-budget independent film by novice directors Stephen F. Verona and Martin Davidson is a slice-of-life elegy from the leather-jacket, bobby-soxer era of 1957, set in a Brooklyn high school. The... read more read more... film stands out for the appearance of up-and-coming actors (circa 1974) Sylvester Stallone, Henry Winkler, and Perry King (even Armand Assante has a bit role). Stallone, Winkler, King, and Paul Mace are members of a local neighbor social club called "The Lords of Flatbush," and they spend their time exercising their hormones, hot-wiring a car, playing pool, and quaffing egg creams at the local candy store. The film finally focuses its interest on two of the "lords." Chico (Perry King), owns a motorcycle and wheels over to see Jane Bradshaw (Susan Blakely), the daughter of an army colonel who, despite Chico's motorcycle, gives him the brush-off. Then there is the muscle-headed Stanley Rosiello (Sylvester Stallone), who, like Marlon Brando in On the Waterfront, loves pigeons. He also loves Frannie (Maria Smith), with whom he has bedded down under the boardwalk one too many times, and now finds that she is pregnant and wants to get married. Skirting along the edges of the frame are Butchey Weinstein (Henry Winkler) and Wimpy Murgalo (Paul Mace), who, as second bananas, go along with Chico and Stanley as they adjust their testosterone to adult living. ~ Paul Brenner, Rovi

Flixster Users

42% liked it

3,100 ratings

Critics

67% liked it

12 critics

PG, 1 hr. 26 min.

Directed by: Martin Davidson, Stephen Verona

Release Date: January 1, 1974

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DVD Release Date: April 25, 2000

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Stats: 123 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (123)

  • phubbs1
    November 9, 2011
    phubbs1
    I have never heard of this film before, came across it whilst reading about Sly Stallone on IMDb and with a cast including Henry Winkler, Perry King (Han Solo auditioner for 1977 classic) and Amand Assante I knew I had to watch. In all honesty I didn't see much in the film that w... read moreas entertaining or exciting, there is allot of dialog and emotion on show as a group of tough young guys in a Brooklyn gang live their lives over the course of afew weeks (I think).

    Nothing much really happens accept for much smooching with girls in their parents houses and a marriage at the finale, if you think of the film classic 'Diner' then your on the right track but 'Diner' is much more interesting than this, only watch if your curious to see a very young Stallone and pre-Fonz Winkler (yes this role did lead to the Fonz obviously) which is an intriguing lure.
  • deano
    March 4, 2007
    deano
    Not bad tale of 1950s Brooklyn 'gang' of four cool, young rebels.
  • nuheart
    December 27, 2006
    nuheart
    Hey guys, your misogyny is showing.
  • burgerstar
    June 10, 2011
    burgerstar
    It's cool to see a young Sly. Soundtrack terrible. See any Barry Levinson film (although that's Baltimore) or just watch Grease instead.
  • pontxo
    August 12, 2011
    pontxo
    I expected a whole lot less from this movie. I remember my brother, who I've now confirmed blatantly lied to me about watching it, told me about something that never occurred, and made me believe this was going to be action packed, when it in fact is a coming of age movie with a ... read morevery slow development.

    Butch (Henry Winkler) is not developed, which sucks and there's no payoff, but the ending makes the viewer understand what the filmmaker wanted to do.

    It's OK and it can be enjoyed. The music's good and scratchy. The sound, by the way, reminded me, a lot, of a John Waters flick... so much that I said :I wonder when Divine'll show up".
  • jackass001
    April 6, 2009
    jackass001
    sylvester stallone who before starring "rocky" and henry winkler who known him as fonz(that reminded me in this film)in tv show "happy days" in a same years. 4 cool rebel with an leather jacket(sylvester stallone, henry winkler, perry king, and paul mace). this film set in 1950's... read more in new york.
  • DustinProductions
    January 31, 2009
    DustinProductions
    Nothing special, just a low budget film. The acting was pretty good, especially Stallone's. The storyline and dialogue was quite boring though.
  • seanattle74
    May 14, 2008
    seanattle74
    I failed to connect with any of these characters. I barely understood the dialogue because the sound quality was so poor. Not engaging as I had hoped.
  • Lester7L
    November 27, 2007
    Lester7L
    GREAT EXCITING FILM. I BELIEVE HENRY ( THE FONZ FROM HAPPY DAYS) WINKLER IS IN IT. EXCITEMENT. TO ME I FEEL HE IS THE FONZ IN THIS. IT IS A GREAT FILM.
  • demu
    May 17, 2007
    demu
    movie kinda sucks but the movie trailer for it was really funny or at least as a kid i thought it was and i still remember the song.....

View All The Lords of Flatbush Reviews

Critic Reviews

Jay Cocks
July 25, 2010
Jay Cocks, TIME Magazine

The movie is adept at portraying aimlessness, getting at the greasy anomie that was so much a part of that time. But there is a lack of ambition, as if no one involved in creating the film wanted to c... Full Review

Variety Staff
March 26, 2009
Variety Staff, Variety

Not too much finesse distinguishes the script, which carries neither warmth nor particular interest for the various characters. Full Review

Vincent Canby
May 9, 2005
Vincent Canby, New York Times

Like first love, this study of the growing pains of the leather jacket-bobby soxer Brooklyn high school set of 1957 is, by turns, cheerful, confused, juvenile and never fully realized. Full Review

Dennis Schwartz
September 2, 2011
Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews

Harmless coming-of-age-teen gang pic. Full Review

July 25, 2010
TV Guide's Movie Guide

The film is a character piece that wanders from place to place with no single impetus, although one gets the feeling that this technique is intentional. Full Review

Geoff Andrew
February 9, 2006
Geoff Andrew, Time Out

A small masterpiece that places the mood and general ethos of the '50s with absolute precision and total affection. Full Review

May 28, 2003
Film4

Affectionately done and thankfully short, since it's episodic. Full Review

Cole Smithey
June 11, 2008
Cole Smithey, ColeSmithey.com

No review available.

Emanuel Levy
July 6, 2005
Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com

No review available.

Daniel M. Kimmel
January 19, 2005
Daniel M. Kimmel, Worcester Telegram & Gazette

No review available.

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

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The Lords of Flatbush Trivia

  • what was the film sylvester stallone and henry winkler did together?  Answer »
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