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.