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IMDbPro

Escape from New York

  • 19811981
  • RR
  • 1h 39m
IMDb RATING
7.1/10
140K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
2,051
275
Adrienne Barbeau, Donald Pleasence, and Kurt Russell in Escape from New York (1981)
In 1997, when the U.S. president crashes into Manhattan, now a giant maximum security prison, a convicted bank robber is sent in to rescue him.
Play trailer1:20
5 Videos
99+ Photos
  • Action
  • Adventure
  • Sci-Fi
In 1997, when the U.S. president crashes into Manhattan, now a giant maximum security prison, a convicted bank robber is sent in to rescue him.In 1997, when the U.S. president crashes into Manhattan, now a giant maximum security prison, a convicted bank robber is sent in to rescue him.In 1997, when the U.S. president crashes into Manhattan, now a giant maximum security prison, a convicted bank robber is sent in to rescue him.
IMDb RATING
7.1/10
140K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
2,051
275
  • Director
    • John Carpenter
  • Writers
    • John Carpenter
    • Nick Castle
  • Stars
    • Kurt Russell
    • Lee Van Cleef
    • Ernest Borgnine
Top credits
  • Director
    • John Carpenter
  • Writers
    • John Carpenter
    • Nick Castle
  • Stars
    • Kurt Russell
    • Lee Van Cleef
    • Ernest Borgnine
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 392User reviews
    • 263Critic reviews
    • 76Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 4 nominations

    Videos5

    Official Trailer
    Trailer 1:20
    Official Trailer
    Escape From New York
    Trailer 2:26
    Escape From New York
    Escape From New York
    Trailer 1:21
    Escape From New York
    Through the Lens: Defining Carpenteresque and Why It Belongs in the Dictionary
    Clip 4:54
    Through the Lens: Defining Carpenteresque and Why It Belongs in the Dictionary
    Sneak Previews Season 3 Episode 37
    Video 28:48
    Sneak Previews Season 3 Episode 37

    Photos222

    Kurt Russell in Escape from New York (1981)
    Adrienne Barbeau, Donald Pleasence, and Kurt Russell in Escape from New York (1981)
    Isaac Hayes in Escape from New York (1981)
    Kurt Russell and Harry Dean Stanton in Escape from New York (1981)
    Kurt Russell in Escape from New York (1981)
    Kurt Russell in Escape from New York (1981)
    Isaac Hayes in Escape from New York (1981)
    Kurt Russell in Escape from New York (1981)
    Escape from New York (1981)
    Escape from New York (1981)
    Escape from New York (1981)
    Escape from New York (1981)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Kurt Russell
    Kurt Russell
    • Snake Plissken
    Lee Van Cleef
    Lee Van Cleef
    • Hauk
    Ernest Borgnine
    Ernest Borgnine
    • Cabbie
    Donald Pleasence
    Donald Pleasence
    • President
    Isaac Hayes
    Isaac Hayes
    • The Duke
    Season Hubley
    Season Hubley
    • Girl in Chock Full O'Nuts
    Harry Dean Stanton
    Harry Dean Stanton
    • Harold 'Brain' Hellman
    Adrienne Barbeau
    Adrienne Barbeau
    • Maggie
    Tom Atkins
    Tom Atkins
    • Rehme
    Charles Cyphers
    Charles Cyphers
    • Secretary of State
    Joe Unger
    Joe Unger
    • Taylor
    • (scenes deleted)
    Frank Doubleday
    Frank Doubleday
    • Romero
    John Strobel
    John Strobel
    • Cronenberg
    John Cothran
    John Cothran
    • Gypsy #1
    • (as John Cothran Jr.)
    Garrett Bergfeld
    • Gypsy #2
    Richard Cosentino
    • Gypsy Guard
    Robert John Metcalf
    • Gypsy #3
    Joel Bennett
    Joel Bennett
    • Gypsy #4
    • Director
      • John Carpenter
    • Writers
      • John Carpenter
      • Nick Castle
    • All cast & crew
    • See more cast details at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Kurt Russell has stated that this is his favorite of all his films, and Snake Plissken is his favorite of his characters.
    • Goofs
      During the sequence where Snake is being chased by the Crazies (and is about to shoot an oval pattern in a wall so he can break through), his eye patch shifts enough to reveal a perfectly good eye. This is commonly regarded as a mistake, but it is not; the novelization of the movie explains that Snake still has his left eye, but he wears the patch due to a paralyzed iris, making it extremely sensitive to light.
    • Quotes

      Bob Hauk: You going to kill me, Snake?

      Snake Plissken: Not now, I'm too tired.

      [pause]

      Snake Plissken: Maybe later.

    • Crazy credits
      The Avco Embassy logo does not appear in this movie.
    • Alternate versions
      Collector's edition laserdisc (during director commentary) shows cut scenes of high-tech bank robbery which led to Snake's conviction and eventual prison sentencing to New York.
    • Connections
      Edited into The Needle (1988)
    • Soundtracks
      Bandstand Boogie
      Music by Charles Albertine

      Courtesy of Cherio Corporation

    User reviews392

    Review
    Top review
    7/10
    Stylish, Gritty Ation Sci-Fi Movie with Incredible Music
    It's 1997 (but it's the future since this movie was made in 1981) and the United States crime rates have skyrocketed, particularly in New York City. To handle the rising prison population and abundance of violent inmates, the government opts to turn New York City into a maximum security fortress for individuals who have committed the most vile crimes. There are no guards inside the prison, only inmates. They form their own society. Guards only intercede if a prisoner attempts to escape. No one gets out alive.

    When the president's plane is hijacked and terrorists bring him into the prison city, convicted felon and soon-to-be resident of the prison, Snake Plissken is asked to do the impossible and bring the president out alive.

    The setup is rich and compelling, yet there's a tremendous amount of backstory that is left untold in "Escape from New York" and that's part of what makes it work. There's an air of mystery wafting through the movie that continually begs questions but leaves it up to the viewer to imagine what the answers might be. "Why does Snake have an eyepatch?" "What caused the explosion in crime rates?" "Why does the president have a British accent?" All these questions and more make the movie fun to discuss and re-watch repeatedly, searching for hints that help unravel the mystery.

    Kurt Russell is unforgettable as Snake, who should be a loathsome character but instead becomes a hero we have no trouble rooting for. He practically growls every line of dialogue because he crackles with too much anger to simply speak. Somehow, despite everything about him being ostensibly unlikable, he's still charming in a way. He would make for an incredible dinner party guest. On one hand, he would likely scare most of the guests and make them feel dumb. But on the other hand, he would probably make all of the guests think, "wow, if you have a friend like this guy, you must be a really interesting person." Inviting him is a big gamble, for sure. Though, it just might pay off.

    Along with Snake, the highlight of the movie is John Carpenters music. Find another 1980s movie with a cooler score. I dare you. Carpenter has created two of the most recognizable and undeniably excellent theme music tracks of the 70s and 80s ("Halloween" is the other). And he directed both movies. What an achievement.
    helpful•27
    1
    • Jared_Andrews
    • Jul 8, 2020

    FAQ4

    • What is on the tape that the President keeps in his briefcase?
    • Is there going to be a third Snake Plissken-movie?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • July 10, 1981 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Official site
      • Official site
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Escape from New York City
    • Filming locations
      • Fox Theater - 527 N. Grand Boulevard, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
    • Production companies
      • AVCO Embassy Pictures
      • International Film Investors
      • Goldcrest Films International
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $6,000,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $25,244,626
    • Gross worldwide
      • $25,274,965
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 39 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby Stereo
      • Dolby Digital
    • Aspect ratio
      • 2.39 : 1

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