Escape from New York

1981 "1997. New York City is a walled maximum security prison. Breaking out is impossible. Breaking in is insane."
7.1| 1h39m| R| en
Details

In a world ravaged by crime, the entire island of Manhattan has been converted into a walled prison where brutal prisoners roam. After the US president crash-lands inside, war hero Snake Plissken has 24 hours to bring him back.

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Reviews

Scanialara You won't be disappointed!
Plantiana Yawn. Poorly Filmed Snooze Fest.
Beanbioca As Good As It Gets
Borserie it is finally so absorbing because it plays like a lyrical road odyssey that’s also a detective story.
lukem-52760 Escape from New York is just pure Awesome fun,a late night sci-fi Adventure Thriller with the BRILLIANT Kurt Russell in his most iconic role ever as the tough Snake Plisskin & he's amazing in this simply amazing!!! This is another classic from one of the greatest & most influential directors of all time the king JOHN CARPENTER & once again he drops us into a very atmospheric world of danger & this time it's New York City that's now become a no go zone prison!!! We all know the incredible iconic story so not talking about that. The look of this movie is AMAZING thanks to the great DEAN CUNDY who worked with Carpenter alot & here cundy gives the film a dark menacing shadow filled gloomy look & when you get light it's often some glowing Neon light & it really shines & stands out it's really stunning!!! Kurt Russell is Fantastic as always & really plays his lone tough guy role perfectly,snake is smart,weary & quick. All the cast are great in their roles & make an impressive ensemble cast with kurt. New York City the prison looks Amazing & is now iconic. The music is outstanding throughout thanks to the multi talented CARPENTER. Everything about this night time Adventure is great movie making & the type of exciting movie that you very rarely get anymore,the closest being the excellent PURGE:ANARCHY (2014). A true carpenter classic
Thomas Drufke Snake Plissken is known as one of the most iconic sci-fi characters in film history, but why? Kurt Russell is a fine actor in just about everything he does, but Escape From New York never gives him anything to do besides hold a gun which he uses maybe once the entire film? It's safe to say I wasn't impressed with this film.Manhattan is now a security prison for criminals of all variety and after the President crash lands in the middle of the city, Plissken is hired to rescue him. Apparently Plissken is like the boogeyman for these Manhattan criminals, since they all know who he is but didn't seem to know he actually existed or where he's been. The weirdest part, however, is we never get to see him to anything of value. Even in criminals past references, they never mentioned anything specifically which would warrant him a spot to save the President.It's one thing if the film embraces its silliness and makes all of the dialogue, action, and performances cheesy, but they don't. The tone is never truly set. On one hand, you have Plissken taking on dozens of criminals who look like they are wearing Mad Max cosplay, but then you have the issue of the President's life being on the line. Those are two opposing tones butting heads, and you never get a grasp on the type of film John Carpenter wants to make. I think Carpenter is a masterful director, but Escape From New York felt kind of like a cheap side project for him. Though, I will say Carpenter's original score made for this film is brilliant.I think a lot of my frustration comes from the fact that this film was made close to 40 years ago, and therefore, there's plenty of dated qualities to it. CGI was young in 1981, and it shows. That and the green screen effects were difficult to watch. Of course, these aren't necessarily the film's fault, but sometimes the reach shouldn't exceed the grasp by that much of a margin. It's not the fault of the film, but I've seen plenty that are better since. Donald Pleasance doesn't get much to do, and neither does anybody in a supporting role. And most of all, I just didn't care for any of the characters or the story they were in.+Great score-Why is Plissken so revered?-Dated4.2/10
jimw-63592 I was in JR. High when I saw this on HBO back in the 1980's on a late Saturday night, and I loved every second of it. I was pretty young when John Carpenter and Debra Hill were cranking out their great movies, the first one I saw in the movie theater was Christine. But now with blu Ray I have a great collection of their movies, including the 2 disc collectors edition of Escape From New York form Shout Factory. It's amazing that this movie does not look outdated and has an incredible cast. Kurt Russell was perfect for Snake Plisken. I find it funny that Donald Pleasance is British and plays the U.S. President in this movie, but he was such an incredible actor. Isaac Hayes was excellent as well by playing the bad guy The Duke. I wish this movie would be re-released into the movie theatres so I could see it on the big screen. But, every time I watch a John Carpenter movie like Escape From New York, it takes me back to another time and place in my life. I think that's why I love his movies still today.
Hitchcoc This movie could make your head explode, literally. New York City has become a big penal colony where the works of the worst are being watched by machine gunned guards. They build a society of their own based on their own traits, murder and mayhem. All is going smoothly until the President's plane goes down in this mess and he needs to be rescued. A guy named Snake, played by Kurt Russell, is sent in to quickly rescue POTUS. With his eye patch and disheveled look, he fits in right away. He has all the necessary qualities to do the job, but he has a serious time line. He will die if he does not complete his task within a prescribed time. It's a pretty idiotic premise, I guess. Why such a short time? The star of this show is the world created by Carpenter and his people. The nouveau prison is really interesting to look at. There is an overriding blackness to the whole thing. Russell's smirking Snake is also pretty good.