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Can You Dig It: The Phenomenon of The Warriors
CAN YOU DIG IT
Walter Hill’s The Warriors was not just a motion picture—it was a social phenomenon on every level.
The tale of a Coney Island street gang who, framed for murder, have to make the perilous journey back to home turf across the terrain of rival crews out for revenge, it caused a sensation when it hit the theaters in early 1979. Despite a low budget, an absence of marquee names, and minimal promotion, it proceeded to lead the box office, devoured by an urban youth that had never before been represented non-judgmentally on screen. Within weeks, though, the glory was tarnished when deaths at and around screenings created an unparalleled controversy about imitation of on-screen violence.
The Warriors never recovered commercial momentum. However, it never lost its critical kudos, partly deriving from its plot’s unlikely origin—courtesy of the 1965 source novel by Sol Yurick—in Greek classic Anabasis. It now enjoys cult-classic status. “Can you dig it?”—the call to arms against the Man dramatically enunciated by rival gang leader Cyrus—is now one of cinema’s immortal catchphrases.
Sean Egan has spoken in depth to the people who made The Warriors, including its director-screenwriter, producers, stunt coordinator, costume designer, soundtrack composer, and starring actors. He details how its shoot was engulfed in acrimony and strife, including a spiraling budget, the leading lady breaking her arm, and intimidation from loitering real-life gang members. Then there was the astonishing decision taken halfway through shooting to fire the leading man. He explains how the controversy surrounding the movie caused Paramount Pictures to take the devastating decision to pull it from theaters. He then explores the way public affection and critical goodwill ultimately saw The Warriors and its cast and crew rehabilitated and vindicated.
Can You Dig It is the full story of the rollercoaster journey of a remarkable film.
Walter Hill’s The Warriors was not just a motion picture—it was a social phenomenon on every level.
The tale of a Coney Island street gang who, framed for murder, have to make the perilous journey back to home turf across the terrain of rival crews out for revenge, it caused a sensation when it hit the theaters in early 1979. Despite a low budget, an absence of marquee names, and minimal promotion, it proceeded to lead the box office, devoured by an urban youth that had never before been represented non-judgmentally on screen. Within weeks, though, the glory was tarnished when deaths at and around screenings created an unparalleled controversy about imitation of on-screen violence.
The Warriors never recovered commercial momentum. However, it never lost its critical kudos, partly deriving from its plot’s unlikely origin—courtesy of the 1965 source novel by Sol Yurick—in Greek classic Anabasis. It now enjoys cult-classic status. “Can you dig it?”—the call to arms against the Man dramatically enunciated by rival gang leader Cyrus—is now one of cinema’s immortal catchphrases.
Sean Egan has spoken in depth to the people who made The Warriors, including its director-screenwriter, producers, stunt coordinator, costume designer, soundtrack composer, and starring actors. He details how its shoot was engulfed in acrimony and strife, including a spiraling budget, the leading lady breaking her arm, and intimidation from loitering real-life gang members. Then there was the astonishing decision taken halfway through shooting to fire the leading man. He explains how the controversy surrounding the movie caused Paramount Pictures to take the devastating decision to pull it from theaters. He then explores the way public affection and critical goodwill ultimately saw The Warriors and its cast and crew rehabilitated and vindicated.
Can You Dig It is the full story of the rollercoaster journey of a remarkable film.
304 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2022
12 people are currently reading
66 people want to read
About the author
Sean Egan
70 books23 followersA freelance journalist, author and editor who writes about arts and entertainment (music, film, TV, comics and literature), social history (20th and 21st centuries) and sport (soccer and tennis history).
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
April 23, 2024
It was 1979 and I was a teenager when an older girl friend of mine invited me to go see the movie "The Warriors" at a local cinema. We loved it so much that we did something we never did before (and haven't done since); we instantly agreed to stay in our seats for the next performance to enjoy it all over again. Shortly thereafter we heard that the movie was pulled out of most theaters due to outbreaks of violence. But we wanted to see the movie again and found a showing in New York City where we snuck in one of those old school Panasonic portable cassette tape recorders. We taped the audio and then played the movie all evening at her house, thinking how cool it was that we could have this momento! Even though the movie was pulled from most theaters, it didn't stop the cast members from being publicized in teen magazines with colored pictures and posters- which of course we purchased. We had our favorite Warrior members (mine was Swan, hers was Rembrandt). Then I created my own book, memorializing the movie by using the photos from magazines and typing out the entire script (culled from the audio I taped at the NYC theater). When the movie soundtrack was released I bought the album. It was an unbelievable thrill when videocassette players/recorders first came out, and The Warriors was available for purchase. I ordered the Betamax version from my local record store, and later, the VCR tape. I also own it on Amazon for streaming and bought the "Ultimate Director's Cut" on DVD. My husband and I watched it with our 23 year old son a few weeks ago. This version had some unwelcome changes like an introduction likening The Warriors story to an ancient Greek legend and inserting comic book type panels before various segments of the movie. But the really valuable part of the DVD was the Special Features where all the main players including most of the actors spoke in depth about the creation of the movie. This was fascinating, and I learned so much I never knew like how the actor that played Fox (Thomas G. Waites) was such a complaining pain in the a$$ that the Director and screenwriter Walter Hill decided to have him killed off halfway into the movie (wrestling with a cop and falling into the path of a subway train). Fox was originally set to be the lead Warrior in the original script, but now that was transferred to Swan (played by Michael Beck) who had a better chemistry with love interest Mercy (played by Deborah Van Valkenburg). Watching this DVD dredged up such warm, nostalgic feelings for this movie that I investigated whether there was a book about how "The Warriors" movie came to be. I found this book and immediately checked it out of my free public library.
The book closely mirrors the identical information from the Special Features on "The Ultimate Director's Cut" DVD of the movie- except expanded in much greater detail. If you are a fan of this movie, you will absolutely LOVE this book. It really goes into the weeds about all aspects of the movie from the book being optioned, screenplay written, hassles with Paramount Studios, assembling the cast, creation of the gang costumes, how the movie was still loved and became a cult classic through the decades even after being pulled prematurely from theaters, its foray into the gaming world with PlayStation2, fan conventions, and what the actors wound up doing after the movie. I will share one kernel of information about that actor Thomas G. Waites that played Fox and had his lead role cut from the movie. When he saw the final product in an advance screening for the cast, he put the final nail in the coffin by dictating that he didn't want his name listed in the credits. He is sorry about his actions now, but what an A$$!!
The book closely mirrors the identical information from the Special Features on "The Ultimate Director's Cut" DVD of the movie- except expanded in much greater detail. If you are a fan of this movie, you will absolutely LOVE this book. It really goes into the weeds about all aspects of the movie from the book being optioned, screenplay written, hassles with Paramount Studios, assembling the cast, creation of the gang costumes, how the movie was still loved and became a cult classic through the decades even after being pulled prematurely from theaters, its foray into the gaming world with PlayStation2, fan conventions, and what the actors wound up doing after the movie. I will share one kernel of information about that actor Thomas G. Waites that played Fox and had his lead role cut from the movie. When he saw the final product in an advance screening for the cast, he put the final nail in the coffin by dictating that he didn't want his name listed in the credits. He is sorry about his actions now, but what an A$$!!
December 19, 2021
If you’re a fan of the cult-classic movie “The Warriors” (loosely-based on Sol Yurick’s book), then this is probably an essential read. An overly-detailed account of anything and everything Warriors-related. I love the movie and found this book filling a lot of gaps and answering many questions the movie generates.
February 14, 2022
I can dig it!
March 28, 2025
This is the Bible for Warriors fans.
November 13, 2023
I decided to give this book 3 stars because I found the background information very interesting. Hearing from the cast and crew was great. And, ashamedly, I had no idea that there were conventions for The Warriors.
I just couldn't give more stars because of the poor writing. Essentially, this is a book written around some interviews. The author could have (should have, imo) used the interviews and research to surmise the information. Instead, for most paragraphs he provided a (sometimes weak) intro sentence which is then followed by interview quotation after quotation. That doesn't make for easy or even good reading. So many quotations were used that the author even includes contradicting statements about events. What was the purpose of pointing out people having different recollections?? Completely unnecessary, especially if he actually researched the statements and only included what was correct.
And the random notations of the similar names of miscellaneous people involved with the movie to characters in the movie/book...why???
Honestly, I've read papers from college students that have better form than this book does. And don't even get me started on the amount of typos and committed words. 😤
But again, the behind the scene information was really interesting for someone who is a huge fan of this movie.
I just couldn't give more stars because of the poor writing. Essentially, this is a book written around some interviews. The author could have (should have, imo) used the interviews and research to surmise the information. Instead, for most paragraphs he provided a (sometimes weak) intro sentence which is then followed by interview quotation after quotation. That doesn't make for easy or even good reading. So many quotations were used that the author even includes contradicting statements about events. What was the purpose of pointing out people having different recollections?? Completely unnecessary, especially if he actually researched the statements and only included what was correct.
And the random notations of the similar names of miscellaneous people involved with the movie to characters in the movie/book...why???
Honestly, I've read papers from college students that have better form than this book does. And don't even get me started on the amount of typos and committed words. 😤
But again, the behind the scene information was really interesting for someone who is a huge fan of this movie.
April 6, 2023
While there is nothing wrong with the writing the sad reality is it’s just not a very interesting story. For a book about a fan related 1970s cult classic it’s all rather flat. I was expecting some deep thoughts on the cultural impact of this film. It’s seems there are none. A few dorky fan gatherings but there you have it. A great 70s movie? I don’t think so.
March 16, 2023
A very exhaustive an in-depth look at the cult classic that is mainly told by the people who made it. The only thing that would make it better would be a deluxe version with more photos from behind the scenes (if there are any). A must read for any Warriors fan
December 21, 2023
Covers everything from script to where are they now.
I thought I knew a lot, but there's tons I learned from this book, won't list here so as not to spoil your read.
If you love the movie, you will love the book.
I thought I knew a lot, but there's tons I learned from this book, won't list here so as not to spoil your read.
If you love the movie, you will love the book.
October 29, 2024
For Warriors Fans
Excellent book detailing background information about the Warriors! So much interning information had me re-watch the movie midway through the book! Highly recommended!
Excellent book detailing background information about the Warriors! So much interning information had me re-watch the movie midway through the book! Highly recommended!
August 19, 2022
Outstanding and comprehensive.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews