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Escape From New York

Play trailer Poster for Escape From New York R 1981 1h 39m Action Adventure Sci-Fi Play Trailer Watchlist
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85% Tomatometer 71 Reviews 77% Popcornmeter 50,000+ Ratings
In 1997, a major war between the United States and the Soviet Union is concluding, and the entire island of Manhattan has been converted into a giant maximum security prison. When Air Force One is hijacked and crashes into the island, the president (Donald Pleasence) is taken hostage by a group of inmates. Snake Plissken (Kurt Russell), a former Special Forces soldier turned criminal, is recruited to retrieve the president in exchange for his own freedom.
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Escape From New York

Escape From New York

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Critics Consensus

Featuring an atmospherically grimy futuristic metropolis, Escape from New York is a strange, entertaining jumble of thrilling action and oddball weirdness.

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Critics Reviews

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Anton Bitel Little White Lies 11/19/2018
1997 is the year in which the film's events are set, but far from being a bright, progressive future, it is a hyperbolic deterioration of 1981's here and now Go to Full Review Phil Hoad Guardian 10/25/2018
4/5
The film plays its social satire broad but strings it along a rail of self-awareness. Go to Full Review Arthur Knight The Hollywood Reporter 07/10/2017
It has got an intriguing premise, an effective cast, and it has been expertly mounted. Go to Full Review Richard Freedman Newark Star-Ledger Jan 7
The film suffers from its almost unrelieved gloom. Go to Full Review Alan Jones Radio Times 09/13/2024
3/5
Despite a marvellous night-time opening sequence, this slice of escapism never really delivers on the ingenuity of its premise. Go to Full Review Kevin Carr Fat Guys at the Movies 08/05/2023
2.5/4
Not my favorite classic Carpenter film, it still offers a scrappy look into the director’s political edge. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Jason 02/08/2024 They don't make movies like these anymore. Thank you for bringing it back to the big screen. See more Joby 02/05/2024 What a great way to see a classic Carpenter/Russell collaboration. I never saw it in the theater, but this limited released allowed me to take my son to see it on the big screen. Movie still hold up today. Amazing See more S. Thomas 02/05/2024 Kurt Russell's most iconic role ever See more 03Cobra 02/05/2024 An all-time classic. Never gets old. Carpenter in his prime ('76-'94). See more Justin D @RadOldDad Feb 23 Truly an amazing movie from start to finish. Its dark, gritty, futuristic setting is great and puts you right into that world. The short, fast paced run time gives you no time to leave that world, fully engrossed in Snakes plight for survival. Kurt Russel IS Snake Plisskin and his superb rough, gravely portrayal could have been done by no other. John Carpenter is at the height of his game here, showcasing his top notch skills to put the viewer into this strange but also familiar world and carry them through a fun story filled with great, highly memorable characters just trying to survive in this hellish landscape. A must see... See more Ed B. @EdLee Jan 15 John Carpenter doing what he does best. Good Sci Fi flick. Kurt Russell delivers a solid performance as Snake , a war hero / bank robber , who’s been sentenced to maximum security prison which is Manhattan In the future. Great action sequences. Good supporting cast. See more Read all reviews
Escape From New York

My Rating

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Cast & Crew

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John Carpenter

Director

Kurt Russell

Snake Plissken

Ernest Borgnine

Cabbie

Adrienne Barbeau

Maggie

Lee Van Cleef

Bob Hauk

Donald Pleasence

President of the United States

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Escape From New York

Escape From New York (1981) Poster Art View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis In 1997, a major war between the United States and the Soviet Union is concluding, and the entire island of Manhattan has been converted into a giant maximum security prison. When Air Force One is hijacked and crashes into the island, the president (Donald Pleasence) is taken hostage by a group of inmates. Snake Plissken (Kurt Russell), a former Special Forces soldier turned criminal, is recruited to retrieve the president in exchange for his own freedom.
Director
John Carpenter
Producer
Larry J. Franco, Debra Hill
Screenwriter
Nick Castle, John Carpenter
Distributor
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, Embassy Pictures, AVCO Embassy Pictures, MGM/UA Home Entertainment Inc.
Production Co
AVCO Embassy Pictures, Goldcrest Films International, International Film Investors
Rating
R
Genre
Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Jul 10, 1981, Wide
Release Date (Streaming)
May 23, 2016
Runtime
1h 39m
Sound Mix
Surround
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