Wild 90 1968
Norman Mailer's *Wild 90 (1968)* plunges viewers into the raw, unfiltered underbelly of New York City, where three volatile gangsters—played by the director himself alongside his frequent collaborators Buzz Farber and Mickey Knox—hole up in a crumbli...
Director: Norman Mailer
Cast
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Wild 90 (1968) about?
*Wild 90* follows three hardened criminals—played by Norman Mailer, Buzz Farber, and Mickey Knox—as they barricade themselves in a run-down NYC apartment, where booze-fueled arguments and simmering violence push their fragile alliances to the breaking point. The film strips away glamour to expose the hollow bravado and simmering rage beneath their tough exteriors.
Who directed Wild 90?
Norman Mailer directed *Wild 90*, marking his debut as a feature filmmaker with a bold, experimental take on crime drama.
Who stars in Wild 90?
The film stars Norman Mailer, Buzz Farber, and Mickey Knox, with supporting roles from D.A. Pennebaker, Beverly Bentley, and boxer José Torres.
Is Wild 90 (1968) worth watching?
Given its historical significance as Mailer's first film and its unflinching portrayal of toxic masculinity, *Wild 90* offers a fascinating, if rough-around-the-edges, glimpse into 1960s underground cinema. Fans of gritty, dialogue-driven dramas will appreciate its raw energy, though its pacing may test those seeking traditional storytelling.
How long is Wild 90?
The runtime of *Wild 90* is 82 minutes.
About Wild 90 (1968) — A raw, gritty crime drama from Norman Mailer's early filmmaking days
Norman Mailer's *Wild 90 (1968)* plunges viewers into the raw, unfiltered underbelly of New York City, where three volatile gangsters—played by the director himself alongside his frequent collaborators Buzz Farber and Mickey Knox—hole up in a crumbling apartment, drowning their tensions in whiskey-fueled rants and explosive confrontations. Shot on a shoestring budget, Mailer's debut feature drips with the grit of 1960s cinema, blending crime drama with a psychological powder keg of masculinity, paranoia, and existential dread. The film's claustrophobic setting mirrors the characters' spiraling chaos, as their bravado and bitterness collide in a storm of verbal and physical clashes.
A product of its counterculture era, *Wild 90* eschews polished storytelling for something rawer, almost documentary-like in its intensity. The dialogue crackles with Mailer's signature edge, while the improvisational energy of the performances—fueled by Farber and Knox's real-life camaraderie—gives the film a chaotic authenticity. As the trio's simmering conflicts boil over, the movie becomes less about plot and more about the unraveling of human tempers in a confined space.