IMDb > Escape from New York (1981)
Escape from New York
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Escape from New York (1981) More at IMDbPro »

Videos (see all 6)
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.
Escape from New York (1981) -- CineMagia.ro - Trailer (Flash)

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Overview

User Rating:
7.1/10   31,260 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
Down 4% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Director:
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:
Awards:
4 nominations more
NewsDesk:
(41 articles)
Palisades Tartan Video’s Terror Pack Vol. 1 (DVD Review)
 (From Fangoria. 16 November 2009, 3:54 AM, PST)

Junkfood Cinema: 1990: The Bronx Warriors
 (From FilmSchoolRejects. 13 November 2009, 1:39 PM, PST)

User Comments:
"Call me Snake..." more (205 total)

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)
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Additional Details

Also Known As:
John Carpenter's Escape from New York (USA) (complete title)
more
Runtime:
99 min
Country:
Language:
Color:
Color (Metrocolor)
Aspect Ratio:
1.33 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Certification:
Canada:AA (Ontario) | Canada:R (Manitoba) (director's cut) | Canada:R (Nova Scotia) | 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:
The final credit is a reference to a strip club and the dancers across the river from St Louis. more
Goofs:
Factual errors: While briefing Hauk about "David 14," Rehme says the jet is "Seven miles out and closing." Even at a leisurely 300mph (the cruising speed of the Convair 580 aircraft the Air Force One model was based on), the plane would have reached them in under a minute and a half. Yet they have plenty of time to get to the control center and ID the aircraft before it even crosses the river. more
Quotes:
Snake Plissken: We did get you out. A lot of people died in the process, I just wondered how you felt about it.
President: [cocky, distant tone] Well, I... I wanna thank them. This nation appreciates their sacrifice.
[pause]
President: Look, I'm on in... two minutes?
Snake Plissken: [walks away in disgust]
more
Movie Connections:
Referenced in Banlieue 13 (2004) 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
37 out of 54 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.

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What did they do? Thatguyphil
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One of the best sci-fi films ever AGiftHorse
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