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Escape from New York

  • 1981
  • R
  • 1h 39m
IMDb RATING
7.1/10
149K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
1,896
288
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.

  • Director
    • John Carpenter
  • Writers
    • John Carpenter
    • Nick Castle
  • Stars
    • Kurt Russell
    • Lee Van Cleef
    • Ernest Borgnine
  • See production, box office & company info
  • IMDb RATING
    7.1/10
    149K
    YOUR RATING
    POPULARITY
    1,896
    288
    • Director
      • John Carpenter
    • Writers
      • John Carpenter
      • Nick Castle
    • Stars
      • Kurt Russell
      • Lee Van Cleef
      • Ernest Borgnine
    • 408User reviews
    • 271Critic reviews
    • 76Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 4 nominations

    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

    Photos224

    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)
    Kurt Russell in Escape from New York (1981)
    Adrienne Barbeau, Donald Pleasence, and Kurt Russell in Escape from New York (1981)
    Kurt Russell in 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
    • 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 reviews408

    Review
    Review
    Featured review
    Classic anti-hero
    Snake Plissken is the classic anti-hero, ala Clint Eastwood's Man-with-no-name. Plissken is an ex-soldier turned criminal, recruited/blackmailed into rescuing a hostage president from the prison of New York City. Plissken is a walking ball of anger and a survival machine. He fought for his country but had everything taken from him, so he started taking back. Now, he has to rescue a man he doesn't care about, if only to survive long enough to take his revenge on Hauk and the government.

    John Carpenter's film is a masterpiece of dark humor, suspense, and great characters. The film channels the anger and distrust of the post-Vietnam/Watergate era, as well as the then-current Iranian Hostage crisis. Plissken represents, in a fashion, the Vietnam vets who did their job, even if they didn't agree with or understand their war, but came back to nothing. The film's novelization explores these themes better than the movie, but it is hinted at in Hauk's briefing. It also depicts a fascist police state, one that some would say is not too far from reality.

    Kurt Russell is excellent in what was a breakout performance for him. Up to this point, Russell had been stuck in low budget comedies, following the end of his Disney days. This performance, coupled with another collaboration with Carpenter, Elvis, led to bigger and better roles. Russell channels Clint Eastwood to give Snake a menacing, if laconic quality. Much like a real serpent, Snake watches and strikes when he is ready; with speed and impact. Russell is able to say a lot with little dialogue, through his body language and facial expressions.

    The supporting cast is wonderful. Adrienne Barbeau is the beautiful, but deadly Maggie. She is partnered with the intelligent, but slimy Brain. Their's is a symbiotic relationship; each provides something the other needs. Harry Dean Stanton, a great character actor, presents a Brain that is smart, but ruthless, and more than a bit cowardly. Isaac Hayes is The Duke, ruler of the prison. Hayes is a bit uneven, as he wasn't an experienced actor (he had at least one movie before this) but he is a charismatic performer and ultra-cool. Donald Pleasance is the consummate politician, a big man in his controlled environment, but lost in a world outside his; one he had a hand in creating. Ernest Borgnine is tremendous as Cabby, the answer man and link between Snake and the rest of the cast, as well as to the past of New York. Finally, Lee Van Cleef brings some of that Angel Eyes magic as Hauk, the prison Warden. Hauk is an ex-soldier and identifies with Snake. The difference is, Snake rebelled against the system that betrayed him; Hauk joined it. This was Van Cleef's last good role, before he was saddled with mediocrity in his tv series, the Master, and became the butt of jokes on MST3K.

    The film moves at a brisk pace and the dark lighting carries the sense of mystery, isolation, and destruction. Carpenter is able to convincingly hide the fact that he shot this film in St. Louis and LA, and make you believe it is New York. Although there are gaps in logic and missing information, the pace doesn't let you dwell on it. There is a constant feeling of the race against time. If there is any complaint, it's that the budget sometimes holds back some of the action, but characterization makes up for it. Also, the dark lighting is sometimes too dark, and details are obscured.

    The new special edition dvd brings a treat to long-time fans: the deleted opening bank robbery and capture of Snake Plissken. Since I had read the novelization before seeing the film, I had long wondered what this sequence had looked like. Although it does explain why Plissken is on his way to the prison when Hauk intercepts him, it doesn't really work in context with the rest of the film. The sequence worked well in the book because of Snake's inner monologue and memories of his mission in Leningrad and the loss of his parents to government action. We understand Snake's hatred of the government and his nihilistic nature. In the sequence, as shot, we don't really get a sense of who Plissken is; just that he has apparently committed a crime and is on the run. We don't really get a feel for his relationship with his partner, which affects the emotional impact at the end of the sequence. Ultimately, the film works better without this footage.

    A note on the commentary track: Ox Baker was not seven feet tall. He is probably closer to the 6'6" to 6'7" range, although he was over 300 pounds. His bulk makes him appear larger than he really is, especially in a wrestling ring.

    One used to wonder what this film would have looked like with a bigger budget. Carpenter sort of answered that with the sequel, Escape from LA. It was essentially the same film, with better effects and a West Coast sensibility; but, it doesn't hold a candle to the original. The lower budget caused the cast and crew to be more creative and they succeeded far better here. It would be good to see Snake again, but in a new environment, with a different plot. Russell's age could be an asset, as Carpenter could examine an older Snake, who must rely more on cunning than physical skills.
    helpful•140
    30
    • grendelkhan
    • Dec 17, 2003

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    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(Broadway theatre relics)
    • 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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