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Escape from New York

  • 19811981
  • RR
  • 1h 39m
IMDb RATING
7.1/10
139K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
2,278
332
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • Trivia
  • IMDbPro
Adrienne Barbeau, Donald Pleasence, and Kurt Russell in Escape from New York (1981)
Home Video Trailer from New Line Home Entertainment
Play trailer2:26
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
139K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
2,278
332
  • 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
    • 390User reviews
    • 263Critic reviews
    • 76Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 4 nominations

    Videos5

    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
    Film Fight Club: New York vs. Los Angeles
    Video 0:51
    Film Fight Club: New York vs. Los Angeles

    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 Plisskenas Snake Plissken
    Lee Van Cleef
    Lee Van Cleef
    • Haukas Hauk
    Ernest Borgnine
    Ernest Borgnine
    • Cabbieas Cabbie
    Donald Pleasence
    Donald Pleasence
    • Presidentas President
    Isaac Hayes
    Isaac Hayes
    • The Dukeas The Duke
    Season Hubley
    Season Hubley
    • Girl in Chock Full O'Nutsas Girl in Chock Full O'Nuts
    Harry Dean Stanton
    Harry Dean Stanton
    • Brainas Brain
    Adrienne Barbeau
    Adrienne Barbeau
    • Maggieas Maggie
    Tom Atkins
    Tom Atkins
    • Rehmeas Rehme
    Charles Cyphers
    Charles Cyphers
    • Secretary of Stateas Secretary of State
    Joe Unger
    Joe Unger
    • Tayloras Taylor
    • (scenes deleted)
    Frank Doubleday
    Frank Doubleday
    • Romeroas Romero
    John Strobel
    John Strobel
    • Cronenbergas Cronenberg
    John Cothran
    John Cothran
    • Gypsy #1as Gypsy #1
    • (as John Cothran Jr.)
    Garrett Bergfeld
    • Gypsy #2as Gypsy #2
    Richard Cosentino
    • Gypsy Guardas Gypsy Guard
    Robert John Metcalf
    • Gypsy #3as Gypsy #3
    Joel Bennett
    Joel Bennett
    • Gypsy #4as Gypsy #4
    • Director
      • John Carpenter
    • Writers
      • John Carpenter
      • Nick Castle
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
    • All cast & crew

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    Storyline

    Edit
    In the future, crime is out of control and New York City's Manhattan is a maximum security prison. Grabbing a bargaining chip right out of the air, convicts bring down the President's plane in bad old Gotham. Gruff Snake Plissken, a one-eyed lone warrior new to prison life, is coerced into bringing the President, and his cargo, out of this land of undesirables. —Anthony Pereyra {hypersonic91@yahoo.com}
    • new york city
    • urban decay
    • manhattan new york city
    • violence
    • blood
    • 253 more
    • Plot summary
    • Plot synopsis
    • Taglines
      • The world's greatest leader is a hostage in the most dangerous place on Earth. Now only the deadliest man alive can save him.
    • Genres
      • Action
      • Adventure
      • Sci-Fi
    • Certificate
      • R
    • Parents guide

    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 reviews390

    Review
    Top review
    8/10
    Cult monument with a dream cast!
    Nearly 25 years and an endless amount of viewings later, John Carpenter's "Escape from NY" still ranks high among the chosen few, quintessential cult films of the 80's. This is, simply put, one of the coolest productions ever with legendary characters, ingenious plot and pitch-black humor. Kurt Russell, with eye patch and nihilistic 'you-don't-like-it-go-to-hell' attitude, plays the role of his life as anti-hero Snake Plissken, recruited by his authority-nemesis Bob Hauk to bring back the American president who crashed with his plane in New York. One problem though; ever since crime rose with 400% in 1987, New York has become one giant and demarcated prison where criminals determine their own "civilization". Offered no other choice, Snake infiltrates NY for his mission …and for a personal race against the clock. Especially the first sixty minutes of this movie are terrific, since there constantly is the introduction of new and imaginative characters. Class-A actors play all these utterly cool characters, which makes it even more memorable! Apart from Kurt Russell, "Escape from New York" also stars icons like Lee Van Cleef ("The Good, the Bad and the Ugly"), Isaac Hayes ("Truck Turner"), Donald Pleasance ("Halloween") and Harry Dean Stanton ("Repo Man"). Even the smaller supportive roles are well distributed, with the underrated Tom Atkins as Van Cleef's sidekick and Adrienne Barbeau in a very sexy part. The downfall of America's number one city is atmospherically portrayed and Carpenter's own music score creates an excellent mood of despair. The action sequences are impressively photographed and John Capenter professionally camouflages that his film is, in fact, and independent production. My only slightly negative remark is that the story should have had a better, more explosive climax. Particularly because the first hour is so great, the ending seems quite tame. But, what the hell, this movie is a must for every film lover! In 1996, Carpenter also made "Escape from L.A." and even though it's good entertainment, it can't compete with "NY".
    helpful•66
    16
    • Coventry
    • Aug 11, 2005

    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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