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Escape from New York: The Official Story of the Film
Over forty years after the release of the iconic hit, Escape from New York: The Official Story of the Film delves into the archives to showcase the creation of the movie. Directed by John Carpenter and released in 1981, Escape from New York thrilled audiences worldwide with its memorable characters, gritty premise and creative special effects.
Escape from New York: The Official Story of the Film is the ultimate retrospective to the cult-classic movie. This must-have book intricately illustrates the production process of the science-fiction blockbuster, plus the impact and influence in popular culture, as well as the costuming, special effects, music, posters, and much more. Featuring brand new interviews with cast and crew, this extraordinary collection of never-before-seen art will give fans an exclusive insight into every aspect of Escape From New York.
Escape from New York: The Official Story of the Film is the ultimate retrospective to the cult-classic movie. This must-have book intricately illustrates the production process of the science-fiction blockbuster, plus the impact and influence in popular culture, as well as the costuming, special effects, music, posters, and much more. Featuring brand new interviews with cast and crew, this extraordinary collection of never-before-seen art will give fans an exclusive insight into every aspect of Escape From New York.
- GenresNonfiction
160 pages, Hardcover
Published October 26, 2021
1 person is currently reading
37 people want to read
About the author
John Walsh
9 books46 followersJohn Walsh is a double BAFTA and double Grierson-nominated filmmaker, best-selling author and founder of Walsh Bros Ltd, one of the UK’s top 100 production companies.
John met Ray Harryhausen as a film student to make a documentary about his life and work. Today, John is a Trustee of the Ray & Diana Harryhausen Foundation and, in 2021, founded the Harryhausen Awards.
His books include Harryhausen The Lost Movies and his acclaimed non-fiction Official Story of the Film series with titles on Flash Gordon, Escape From New York and Dr Who & The Daleks. All four Rondo Award Nominees for “Book of the Year”. 2023 saw the release of Conan The Barbarian, and The Wicker Man. 2024 saw the publication of The Third Man: The Official Story of the Film, celebrating the 75th anniversary of “The best British film of all time.” New book in 2025, Gladiator II: The Art and Making of the Ridley Scott Film.
John's notable film and television work includes the historical feature film Monarch, restored and remastered after John tracked down the original 35mm camera negative in a film vault and was the subject of a BBC News story about lost films and is now available on Prime Video.
ToryBoy The Movie was nominated for the Grierson Award for “Best Documentary on a Contemporary Theme.” The film unlocked politics to a broad audience and is Britain’s most successful political documentary feature film. It is now available on Prime Video.
John’s landmark Grierson-nominated homeless series Headhunting The Homeless for BBC2 lifted the lid on the corporate world and today’s most vulnerable adults. Sofa Surfers for the BBC was television’s first homeless series for children and was Rose d'Or nominated. The BAFTA-nominated Don’t Make Me Angry brought clinical psychology into the home environment for the first time. All programmes can be viewed in full on the Walsh Bros YouTube Channel.
John met Ray Harryhausen as a film student to make a documentary about his life and work. Today, John is a Trustee of the Ray & Diana Harryhausen Foundation and, in 2021, founded the Harryhausen Awards.
His books include Harryhausen The Lost Movies and his acclaimed non-fiction Official Story of the Film series with titles on Flash Gordon, Escape From New York and Dr Who & The Daleks. All four Rondo Award Nominees for “Book of the Year”. 2023 saw the release of Conan The Barbarian, and The Wicker Man. 2024 saw the publication of The Third Man: The Official Story of the Film, celebrating the 75th anniversary of “The best British film of all time.” New book in 2025, Gladiator II: The Art and Making of the Ridley Scott Film.
John's notable film and television work includes the historical feature film Monarch, restored and remastered after John tracked down the original 35mm camera negative in a film vault and was the subject of a BBC News story about lost films and is now available on Prime Video.
ToryBoy The Movie was nominated for the Grierson Award for “Best Documentary on a Contemporary Theme.” The film unlocked politics to a broad audience and is Britain’s most successful political documentary feature film. It is now available on Prime Video.
John’s landmark Grierson-nominated homeless series Headhunting The Homeless for BBC2 lifted the lid on the corporate world and today’s most vulnerable adults. Sofa Surfers for the BBC was television’s first homeless series for children and was Rose d'Or nominated. The BAFTA-nominated Don’t Make Me Angry brought clinical psychology into the home environment for the first time. All programmes can be viewed in full on the Walsh Bros YouTube Channel.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
December 26, 2021
If you’re a fan of the film or John Carpenter’s work - you will NOT be disappointed. A must have! This is a large, hardback “coffee table” size book - and an excellent photo document of the making of the film. I received it as a Christmas gift and couldn’t put it down until I had read it cover to cover.
December 28, 2021
Nice overall look at the making of this classic film. Great collection of photos and behind the scenes looks. I got it for Christmas and read it cover to cover the next day.
January 19, 2022
Essential reading for any fan of John Carpenter's 1981 classic.
January 12, 2022
Like any fans of this film, I thought there was little else to say or see. This book set me straight and not for the first time. Last year John Walsh’ epic Flash Gordon making-of was a sensation. This is a smaller and lower budget film for sure. But the stories and forensic detail that Walsh deploys should be a model that all making of books aspire. The detail, quality and depth of this book cannot be appreciated online only. I ordered this book fully excepting a great read. I am a lifelong Escape From New York movie fan. I was seeing new images on almost every page. Those I had seen before were here again in sparkling HD quality. Author John Walsh is also a filmmaker and gets right to the heart of the matter with this story. Rather than a dry read about an old film, this is like an unputdownable thriller in places. This book would make a good film in itself. A full five stars from me and well-done John Walsh, sir.
January 10, 2022
The long wait is over and well worth it. I am a huge fan of Escape From New York. It is a film that has gotten better with age. I was excited and anxious about an official making-of book. How could this give me more information or insight into a film I know backwards? Well, it did without wanting to be a spoiler here. John Walsh has created a wonder documentary-like book with this epic tome. It has amazingly high-quality images and excellent accompanying text. I read the book in one extended sitting and then put the movie on. It blew me away watching it with new eyes!
January 6, 2022
Escape Is Finally Released ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Another great making-of book from John Walsh brings his filmmakers’ eye and documentary award-winning detail this grand coffee table book revealing rare and unseen behind the scene images. With new interviews and information. I thought I was a big EFNY fan but this book blew the lid off my knowledge.
Another great making-of book from John Walsh brings his filmmakers’ eye and documentary award-winning detail this grand coffee table book revealing rare and unseen behind the scene images. With new interviews and information. I thought I was a big EFNY fan but this book blew the lid off my knowledge.
January 9, 2022
Release From Prison After 40 Year Wait!
John Walsh has done it again with a great making-of book which tells new stories and shows new photos and artwork from John Carpenter's iconic films. There is so much new information I wonder how it was kept secret for 40 years. A must buy for all fans of great movie books from the 1980s. Can’t wait for Walsh’ next one.
John Walsh has done it again with a great making-of book which tells new stories and shows new photos and artwork from John Carpenter's iconic films. There is so much new information I wonder how it was kept secret for 40 years. A must buy for all fans of great movie books from the 1980s. Can’t wait for Walsh’ next one.
February 13, 2023
Brought back great memories of the film which I was a big fan of and how detailed and precisely with valid information of the characters and story line a great read and a MUST for all those
SCI FI fans out there hope more to come and will defiantly purchase if Escape from LA is published
Happy Days
SCI FI fans out there hope more to come and will defiantly purchase if Escape from LA is published
Happy Days
December 3, 2024
This is an incredible behind-the-scenes look at one of director John Carpenter's greatest films, "Escape From New York" (1981). Author John Walsh presents a phenomenal collection of photos, screen prints, and promotional material along with in-depth stories about how this film was made. Also, it cannot be overstated how beautifully this project is formatted. Excellent work all the way though. This is an absolute must-have for any film buff, particularly fans of John Carpenter.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews