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Escape from New York

  • 19811981
  • RR
  • 1h 39m
IMDb RATING
7.1/10
146K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
1,275
152
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
ActionAdventureSci-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
146K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
1,275
152
    • John Carpenter
    • John Carpenter
    • Nick Castle
  • Stars
    • Kurt Russell
    • Lee Van Cleef
    • Ernest Borgnine
    • John Carpenter
    • John Carpenter
    • Nick Castle
  • Stars
    • Kurt Russell
    • Lee Van Cleef
    • Ernest Borgnine
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 398User reviews
    • 267Critic reviews
    • 76Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Awards

    Videos5

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

    Photos223

    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)
    Kurt Russell at an event for 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
      • John Carpenter
      • John Carpenter
      • Nick Castle
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more 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 reviews398

    Review
    Review
    Featured review
    "Once You Go In, You Don't Come Out!"...
    In the far-flung future, Manhattan Island is a prison surrounded by a fifty-foot wall. Said prison is guarded from outside the wall, while inside, the prisoners create their own lawless society. When the US President (Donald Pleasence) inadvertently lands in this hell, it's up to bada$$ criminal, Snake Plisskin (Kurt Russell) to retrieve him.

    ESCAPE FROM NEW YORK is Director John Carpenter's foray into post-apocalyptic sci-fi / action. In his vision, it's an out of control crime rate, rather than nuclear holocaust that's to blame. Packed with oddball characters, and loaded with classic scenes, EFNY became a trendsetter.

    In spite of some clunky, "futuristic" technology, and the unavoidable poignancy of having Plisskin land atop the World Trade Center, it all works somehow. For its budget, this movie looks impressive. Russell is perfect in his eye patch-wearing, anti-hero role, riding high before his next big stint in THE THING. Great use is also made of older stars like Lee Van Cleef, Ernest Borgnine, and the inimitable music legend, Isaac Hayes. Carpenter regulars Tom Atkins, Charles Cyphers, and Adrienne Barbeau make appearances, with Ms. Barbeau having some heavenly running sequences! One of the truly great Carpenter films...
    helpful•12
    1
    • azathothpwiggins
    • Nov 26, 2019

    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)
      • United States
      • Official site
      • English
    • Also known as
    • 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
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • 1 hour 39 minutes
      • Color
      • Dolby Stereo
      • Dolby Digital

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