Was there a connection between Cyrus and Cleon?

[Lion]

Ok, Scurve gave me an idea on another topic that gave birth to this topic.  Here is the thought:  We were talking about the Riff's not allowing the Orphans in their network right?  So they perhaps new who they were.  Yet Masai didn't know who the Warriors were and nevertheless got invited to the conclave.  So Scurvy Dog metioned that perhaps Cyrus did know who the warriors were but perhaps didn't mention it to Masai because well, at that time it wasn't important.  Ok, so I got to thinking and I came with the conclusion (s) that perhaps, just like we have discussed this in another topic, Cleon was a member of the Riffs or perhaps was Cyrus's pupil in karate school (?) before he started the Riffs.  My support on this theory is based on how Cleon went to go look at Cyrus after he got shot (probably to pay respects to his one time instructor) and the way he "barks" at the Riff guards to get out of his way and then does a few karate moves himself.  This is just my theory.

[The Swan]

Well Lions I think you're just right... I mean it's more than a theory(ye in the movie they don't speak about, there's only that scene Scurvy Dog already mentioned: Cleon the only one going up there). But I really think that the movie team(director(W. Hill)... screenplayer... and all tha other) wanted  this connection was visible.
In my opinion it's quite so, and it's also "right" Cleon's death, I mean maybe he was first who respecting Cyrus, and destiny punished him.
WOW!!! What a topic!!! 8)

[Oxygen]

Well when Cyrus was shot, Cleon went to go check up on him, to see if he was really dead or not. To me that part always held some significance, since Cleon had a chance to escape, but didn't. I always figured him and Cyrus were friends or something. Thats probably why The Warriors were invited to the meeting, even though noone had heard of them.

[Tantive7]

In my personal opinion..
I feel that Cleon went to Cyrus,
out of respect from one soldier to a fallen comrade.
You Know,Like The Warchief paying his respect to a Fellow Leader
I guess everyone see it differently 8)

[adam88]

Very Interesting topic.  Well, its possible that in general Cyrus was the man to know about things that even Masai did not know.  Maybe Cyrus was the type to know about everyone, and everything.  Its like he was the ultimate scout.  The type of man who has been through everything that the jungle(city) has put in his way.  You know sort of like a "been there, done that", sort of thing.  So wheather it was a gang, who commited petty crime, or a gang that was on its way to superior power, he knew about their existence.  As for Cyrus, knowing Cleon in a former life, it hard to say, since there so much interpretations on it.  In my opinion, I think that in Cleon's eyes, Cyrus was the only man in general who he can relate to.  He probably fealt that this is the one honorable man, I have seen in years.  The only real deal that seemed rightous, pure, and influecial enough for him to understand what this man was speaking about.  It was just probably a sign of respect and honor Cleon to stop and look at Cyrus.  Basically it was a sign of sympathy and compassion from one soldier, one warriors, one man, and one human being to another.  So look at a man, with an enlightened vision that is know gone, but not forgotten.  Thats the connection that these two have.

[Cyrus]

IMO,there was no connection between Cleon and Cyrus.At the beginning of the movie Cleon says:

"Everybody says that Cyrus is the one and only.I think we'd better go have a look for ourself."

That doesn't sound to me like a description of someone one knows.I think Cleon went to see Cyrus dying on the ground just to show the respect.Also,it is quite a powerful scene, and I'm sure that's the reason W.Hill put them two together in that scene.

[molotov]

That's a damn interesting theory.  The only problem I have with it is that at the beginning, Swan says to Cleon, "We ain't even been to the Bronx before."

This leads me to believe that Cleon went to view Cyrus' body not only as a show of respect, but of regret.  The way he was nodding at Cyrus' speech, I think he really believed it was possible for Cyrus' plan to work.

Also, from a more practical standpoint, the screenwriters had to get rid of Cleon and I guess they thought this was the best way to do it.