Escape From New York (1981)

Director: John Carpenter  Starring: Lee Van Cleef  Kurt Russell  
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Product Summary
Publisher: MGM
Format: DVD
UPC: 00027616854773
Buy.com Sku: 40143399
Item#: VG4XWT
Category Keywords: Adventure  Big City  Cult Film  Escape  Essential Cinema  Futuristic  Post-Apocalypse  Prison/Prisoners  Recommended  Science-Fiction  Theatrical Release  Thriller 
Rating: 
 
1997. New York City is now a maximum security prison. Breaking out is impossible. Breaking in is insane.
 
 
Features: DVD, Pan and Scan (TV Format), Widescreen, Theatrical Version, Trailers
 
Kurt Russell (Stargate) stars in a high-velocity sci-fi action-thriller from director Joh Carpenter (Co-written by Nick Castle) that sets the screen ablaze with heart-stopping suspense, outrageous stunts and imaginative special effects. Bristling with riveting chases and hard-hitting fight sequences, Escape From New York is your passport to nonstop excitement!

In a world ravaged by crime, the entire island of Manhattan has been converted into a prison which houses the world’s most brutal inmate. And when the President of the United States (Donald Pleasence) crash lands inside, only one man can bring him back: Snake Plissken (Russell), a notorious outlaw and former Special Forces war hero who, in exchange for a full pardon, descends into the decayed city and wages a blistering war against the captors. But time is short: in 24 hours, an explosive charge planted inside Snake’s body will end the mission – and his life – unless he succeeds!
 
"Dark and dangerous!"  Newsweek
 


Editor's Note

Another John Carpenter cult classic, ESCAPE FROM NEW YORK was one of the best entries in the once popular post-apocalyptic genre which included ROAD WARRIOR and THE TERMINATOR. In 1997, the island of Manhattan has been turned into the world's largest maximum security prison, a place where the worst of humanity is sent to rot. The U.S. Government finds itself in a major crisis when the president's plane crash lands in New York only days before a vital peace summit between major warring nations is to take place. The president survives the crash, but is taken hostage by the denizens of Manhattan and held for ransom. Only war hero turned felon Snake Plissken can save the day, and he is offered a simple deal for his work: save the president and live, fail to save him and die. The one-eyed bandit sets to work, cutting a path of destruction to the president that has to be seen to be believed. Kurt Russell creates the indelible character of Snake Plissken as no other actor could have. Wisecracking and cool under the very worst of pressures, Snake is the ultimate bad good guy. Often copied, but never duplicated, ESCAPE FROM NEW YORK is full of the wit, energy and action that marks a John Carpenter picture.


Plot Summary

In the year 1997, a decayed New York City has become a maximum security prison that houses thousands of hardened criminals. It is in this urban hellhole that the president's plane has crashed, and he has been taken hostage by some of the prison's most vicious convicts. Snake Plissken, a one-eyed, decorated war hero turned felon, is given the option of rescuing the president in exchange for a reduced prison sentence. However, he has only 24 hours to complete his assignment...

 

Features
Original Theatrical Trailer
Widescreen Version
Standard Version
 
Technical Info

Release Information
Studio: MGM
Release Date: 5/22/2007
Running Time: 99 minutes
Original Release Date: 1981
Catalog ID: 1001186
UPC: 00027616854773
Number of Discs: 1

Audio & Video
Original Language: English
Available Audio Tracks: English [CC], English
Available Subtitles: French, Spanish
Video: Color

 
Cast & Crew
Adrienne Barbeau
Donald Pleasence
Ernest Borgnine
Harry Dean Stanton
Isaac Hayes
Kurt Russell
Lee Van Cleef
Season Hubley
Jim Lucas - Cinematographer
Dean Cudney - Cinematographer
John Carpenter - Director
John Carpenter - Musical Score
Larry Franco - Performer
Debra Hill - Producer
Nick Castle - Writer
John Carpenter - Writer

 
Memorable Quotes
"I'm not a fool, Plissken!"----Hauk (Lee Van Cleef) to Snake Plissken (Kurt Russell)|"Call me Snake."----Snake Plissken to Hauk | |"We'd make one hell of a team, Snake."----Hauk to Snake Plissken, later in the film|"The name's Plissken."----Snake Plissken to Hauk

"Snake Plissken? I thought you were dead."----practically every character to Snake Plissken

"You are the Duke! A--number one!"----the U.S. president (Donald Pleasence) to the Duke of New York (Isaac Hayes), as he pumps him full of lead


 
Professional Reviews
Premiere
"...Looks better and better as time passes..." - Recommended 09/01/1994 p.116

Variety
"...A solidly satisfying actioner....[A] proper urgent mood..." 06/17/1981

New York Times
"...Brutal, very fine-looking....Carpenter's most ambitous, most riveting film to date..." 07/10/1981 p.C6

Total Film
"...ESCAPE FROM NEW YORK featured a supporting cast of cult appeal and successfully launched Kurt Russell as a rugged action hero..." 07/01/2000 p.108

Sight and Sound
"The premise, characters and theme all resonate..." 01/01/2006 p.89

Uncut
Ranked #7 in Uncut's Best DVDs Of 2005 -- "John Carpenter's dystopian, kick-ass, junk-punk flick of 1977..." 01/01/2006 p.84-85

Reel Views 7 of 10
...one of the most ingenious premises of any film released during the 1980s... Kurt Russell is delightful as Snake... [he] makes a better-than-average action hero... - James Berardinelli
 

  
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