Gary Weis’ look at two ‘70s South Bronx street gangs does not judge its participants; it simply allows them to be who they are. Viewers are able to see the Savage Skulls and the Savage Nomads as something more than simply “gangbangers”—they are human beings who are products of their environment. Remember that the South Bronx resembled a war zone during the 1970s. Poverty and violence was the reality on a level that most of us could barely understand. Gangs formed almost out of necessity and 80 Blocks from Tiffany's captures that reality without being exploitative. Originally filmed for broadcast during Saturday Night Live’s off-season in 1979, but shelved by NBC until a limited video release in 1985. 80 Blocks from Tiffany's is highly recommended, especially for fans of fictional gang movies like The Warriors.
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