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)

Overview

User Rating:
7.1/10   31,106 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?

Up 51% in popularity this week. See why 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:
(40 articles)

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

Len Wiseman in Talks to Direct Untitled Post-Apocalyptic Thriller
 (From FilmJunk. 11 November 2009, 10:44 AM, PST)

User Comments:

" Hi Snake, . . . I heard you were dead!" 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:

UK | USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Metrocolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 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:

Director Trademark: [John Carpenter] [names]Cronenberg, Romero, Taylor (Don). more

Goofs:

Factual errors: The American flag on the right-hand side of the tail on Air Force One is not reversed. In reality it would have the stars in the upper right to represent a real flag moving forward. more

Quotes:

Brain: They're savages, Mr. President. more

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Kill Bill: Vol. 1 (2003) more

Soundtrack:

Engulfed Cathedral 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
2 out of 2 people found the following comment useful.
" Hi Snake, . . . I heard you were dead!", 30 June 2007
8/10
Author: thinker1691 from USA

Many fans of Kurt Russell were extremely surprised he emerged from his years as a child actor to evolve into a believable, hard hitting, action hero. True, he was traditionally recognized to many for his whimsical, good-looks and high school persona. Thus when movie-goers saw him in this film, many stood aghast at his mature tenor. This futuristic story begins with the President's plane being high-jacked by rebel extremists and flown into the island city of New York which has been transformed into a maximum prison. The plane with the president (Donald Pleasence) on board crashes into the prison and it falls to the warden/Police Commissioner, one, Bob Hauk, (Lee Van Cleef) to rescue the chief executive. His plan? To send in a new convict, an experienced ex-soldier and special ops veteran, named, Snake Plissken (Kurt Russell) with the promise of a presidential pardon if he can return him alive. To insure the clever criminal does not take the opportunity to escape, he is given a lethal injection which can only be removed by the commissioner's medical staff. Thus, begins a timely drama which means life or death for the hero, the president and ultimately the world. The success of this film owes much to the film's other characters like the talkative Cabbie (Ernest Borgnine, terrific acting), Harold ' Brain' Helman (Harry Dean Stanton), his 'squeeze' Maggie (Adrienne Barbeau) and Isaac Hayes, who plays the heavy, The Duke of New York. This a groundbreaking film for Russell and as expected, he carries it to it's rave conclusion with action to spare. ****

Was the above comment useful to you?
more (205 total)

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What did they do? Thatguyphil
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where should snake escape from next? cferguso-4
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One of the best sci-fi films ever AGiftHorse
What will they remake next? Betting odds. stopthatbadger
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