Home
search
more | tips
IMDb > Escape from New York (1981)
Escape from New York
Quicklinks
Top Links
trailers and videosfull cast and crewtriviaofficial sitesmemorable quotes
Overview
main detailscombined detailsfull cast and crewcompany creditstv schedule
Awards & Reviews
user commentsexternal reviewsnewsgroup reviewsawardsuser ratingsparents guiderecommendationsmessage board
Plot & Quotes
plot summaryplot synopsisplot keywordsAmazon.com summarymemorable quotes
Fun Stuff
triviagoofssoundtrack listingcrazy creditsalternate versionsmovie connectionsFAQ
Other Info
merchandising linksbox office/businessrelease datesfilming locationstechnical specslaserdisc detailsDVD detailsliterature listingsNewsDesk
Promotional
taglines trailers and videos posters photo gallery
External Links
showtimesofficial sitesmiscellaneousphotographssound clipsvideo clips

Escape from New York (1981) More at IMDbPro »

Photos (see all 46 | slideshow) Videos (see all 2)
Escape from New York (1981) -- In 1998, when the US President crashes into Manhattan, now a giant max. security prison, a convicted bank robber is sent in for a rescue.
Escape from New York (1981) -- In 1998, when the US President crashes into Manhattan, now a giant max. security prison, a convicted bank robber is sent in for a rescue.

Overview

User Rating:
7.1/10   29,447 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
Down 13% in popularity this week. See rank & trends on IMDbPro.
Director:
John Carpenter
Writers:
John Carpenter (written by) and
Nick Castle (written by)
Contact:
View company contact information for Escape from New York on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
10 July 1981 (USA) more
Tagline:
The world's greatest leader is a hostage in the most dangerous place on Earth. Now only the deadliest man alive can save him. more
Plot:
In 1997, when the US President crashes into Manhattan, now a giant max. security prison, a convicted bank robber is sent in for a rescue. full summary | full synopsis
Plot Keywords:
more
Awards:
4 nominations more
NewsDesk:
(15 articles)
2009 Debra Hill Fellowship from the PGA announces winners June 2
 (From pretty-scary. 21 May 2009, 3:54 PM, PDT)

Scenes We Love: Escape From New York
 (From Cinematical. 20 April 2009, 3:03 PM, PDT)

User Comments:
"Call me Snake..." more

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)
Create a character page for: ?

Additional Details

Also Known As:
John Carpenter's Escape from New York (USA) (complete title)
more
Runtime:
99 min
Country:
UK | USA
Language:
English
Color:
Color (Metrocolor)
Aspect Ratio:
2.35 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Dolby
Certification:
Canada:AA (Ontario) | Canada:R (Nova Scotia) | Canada:R (Manitoba) (director's cut) | Canada:13+ (Quebec) | Canada:PA (Manitoba) | Iceland:16 | UK:15 (video rating) | UK:AA (original rating) | Germany:16 | Brazil:14 | Finland:K-15 (DVD rating) | Netherlands:16 | New Zealand:R16 | Australia:M | Norway:15 | Norway:16 (original rating) | Sweden:15 | USA:R | West Germany:16 (w) | Singapore:PG

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
"Everyone's Coming To New York" is the song sung by the men in drag at the stage show scene where Snake first meets Cabbie. The lyrics are as follows: Shoot a cop With a gun The Big Apple is plenty of fun Stab a priest With a fork And you'll spend your vacation in New York Rob a bank Take a truck You can get here by stealing a buck This is bliss It's a lark Honey, everyone's coming to New York! No more Yankees Strike the word from your ears Play the roulette There's no more opera at the Met This is hell This is fate But now this is your home and it's great So rejoice Pop a cork Honey, everyone's coming to New York! more
Goofs:
Revealing mistakes: Walls in the "Choc Full o' Nuts" building are clearly made of Styrofoam. more
Quotes:
Bob Hauk: We'd make one hell of a team, Snake!
Snake Plissken: The name's Plissken!
more
Movie Connections:
Referenced in Land of the Dead (2005) more
Soundtrack:
Everyone's Going to New York more

FAQ

What is Plisskin's reasoning for the ending of the film?
What is on the tape that the President keeps in his briefcase?
more
33 out of 50 people found the following comment useful:-
"Call me Snake...", 13 January 2003
8/10
Author: grolt from Canada

"Escape From New York" is a solid action noir by John Carpenter, although it lacks the punch of Carpenter's other three previous features ("The Fog", "Halloween", "Assault on Precinct 13"). Kurt Russell became famous for his Snake Plissken, and rightfully so, although the character seems to be only a more gritty version of Napoeleon Wilson in "Assault". What makes this film the cult classic it is is Carpenter's very apocalyptic and brash story. This is a very dark film, and it holds up especially well today when shown against the countless fluff films that Hollywood seems to be churning out.

Carpenter made the most out of his meeger budget and created a very convincing New York City. Not only is the set design fantastic, but so are the typically strong performances. Russell, Hayes, Barbeau, Pleasence, Stanton, Atkins, Cyphers and Borgnine are all cult legends, and seeing them all work together makes Robert Altman's casts look feeble in comparison.

What limits this film from greatness is surprisingly lax direction by Carpenter. The film is not as tight as it should have been, and really fails to generate any sort of suspense during the action. Deaths just happen out of nowhere, with little to no build up, which is a shame. This movie could have really been amazing. The ending is perfect though, and easily makes up for the film's faults. See it for Kurt Russell and the great ending and you will come away a happy viewer. Watch "Escape From LA" though to see what this movie should have been.

Was the above comment useful to you?
more

Message Boards

Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for Escape from New York (1981)
Recent Posts (updated daily)User
Escape from St. Louis? PJ-73
where should snake escape from next? cferguso-4
Who should be Snake in Remake ? fusionman15
Why Would The Duke Want Out?? Discopants
Snake/Man with No Name connection? marlowesyn
How is this movie honestly only rated at a 7.1/10??? R_J_Plissken
more

Recommendations

If you enjoyed this title, our database also recommends:
- - - - -
Blade Runner Live Free or Die Hard Escape from L.A. The Dark Knight Bad Boys II
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
Show more recommendations

Related Links

Full cast and crew Company credits External reviews
News articles IMDb Action section IMDb UK section
Add this title to MyMovies

You may report errors and omissions on this page to the IMDb database managers. They will be examined and if approved will be included in a future update. Clicking the 'Update' button will take you through a step-by-step process.