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I heard you were dead.

This truly is a great movie. It's absolutely drenched in atmosphere and filled with an eclectic mix of great characters. The story and characters are not completely developed, maybe deliberately, which, I think, actually adds to the whole thing. But still there is much to draw from in many scenes when watching closely. A great deal of every single character's back story stays untold and we're left to concentrate on the present situation they find themselves in, while getting the occasional cryptic glimpse of their subtexts. Every single performance (except the secret service guy trying to break the door down) is virtually pitch perfect for this particular scenario. As self preservationist Snake Plissken, Kurt Russell does the best work of his career here, his body language and facial expressions speak volumes as does his dialogue delivery- more so than his actual lines. He really convinces you that he IS that hardcore. I don't think this character is simply an Eastwood rip off at all, regardless of the (deliberate) similarities. Harry Dean Stanton is perfect as the equally self serving Brain. For me, his reaction and facial expression upon reuniting with Snake is priceless- 'Snake?'Donald Pleasance's unnamed president is another interesting character and a curious one to my mind: why does he stop the harness thing for which Snake is being elevated when he's blasting the Duke full of lead? It's great to see how this character operates according to his surrounds. Issac Hayes' Duke of New York has little else to do than be the coolest man on Earth and in this movie, that's enough! I love this guy's car!Ernest Borgnine adds a colorful, bright presence to proceedings which is a great foil to the otherwise nature of virtually everyone else.Frank Doublebay is hilarious as a total nut case henchman of the Duke.And Adrienne Barbeau admirably upstages her own cleavage which in itself is a strong presence in the film, not that I'm complaining, but it's good that her character Maggie has more to do (though not much) than just be there for a perv.And Carpenter directs the whole thing superbly. There really isn't that much action in this, but as I said it's drenched in atmosphere and suspense. I can't believe that some critics think he is a hack. Just check out the the first half of his catalogue, the man was a great director. I must admit that I don't like any of his recent films, but everything up to 'They Live' simply rules. Not to mention the awesome synth score here composed by him.This film isn't flawless by any stretch, but the flaws are mainly technical ones.This film simply shreds so much of the action/ sci-fi big budget crap they put out today. And while I HATE to say this, it really is better to avoid it's sequel, Escape from L.A.Bring on Escape from Earth, JC & KR, just watch the first one 10 times before you do though.

You're the Duke of New York...You're A Number One!

There's many reasons to like John Carpenter's Escape From New York, but I particularly enjoyed watching Donald Pleasance playing the tough-as-nails president. Kurt Russel does a great Clint Eastwood parody throughout, and makes "Snake" jump off the screen. The only flaw with this film is that they set the future in the not-to-distant decade of the 1990's. Perhaps New York needed a few more years before it became the maximum security prison for the entire United States. At any rate, once you get past this minor distraction, you'll find yourself immersed in a race against time, where Snake must rescue the country's top man from a band of crazed lunatics. Watching the film since 9/11 also brings into focus some other interesting aspects. This is one of the few films that uses the World Trade Center as central location. And the whole notion of terrorists flying a plane into a building--well, it almost serves as a prophetic warning of things to come. It just goes to show, in the realm of science fiction, anything is possible.

Maybe later, too tired

Look, this is no academy award winning, legendary acting, amazing dialogue movie...this is just what it is. What it is, is a showcase for THE best hardass, super cool, anti-hero character ever in film...SNAKE PLISSSSSSSKEN.Bottom line is, I never...ever...remember a better done cool guy than this character. His lines throughout the film are fantastic with the best being "you gonna kill me now snake"..."maybe later, too tired".I would probably think that women hate it (my ex did), but I'm not sure there is a better "guy movie" out there other than maybe The Warriors.

Cult Classic

This was a great vision of the future in a Mad Max like universe. The idea is, what if one of our greatest cities became a prison. The story starts where the President(Donald Pleasence) lands in New York(which is now a prison) after his plain Air Force One is attacked. The President is soon taken captive by The Duke(Issac Hayes) and his Hench men. In order to go in undetected, they ask former marine turned criminal named Snake Plissken(Kurt Russell) they say if he does this he will receive a pardon, Snake is a real bad ass, but takes the job anyway. Snake is unwittingly poisoned and has 19 hours to live, Will Snake make it out before it's too late. John Carpender is such a great visionary, all his film are proof of that. Kurt Russell is great as the anti hero Snake Plissken, he really brought the bad ass hero to a another level.

Great action, great actors

As far as Sci-fi action goes, Escape From New York really does it for me. Its got everything you could want in a film. A great great plot premise, A good lead in Russell, Its directed by the godfather of modern horror, and it has one of the most exceptional casts of all time. You've got one of my favorites Donlad Pleasence, playing an ultra sleazy commander and chief, Harry Dean Stanton as the hilarious Brain, Ernest Borgnine as Cabbie, Lee Van Cleef plays the bad ass Bob Hauk, and Adrienne Barbeau looking quite hot I might add. The excitement is constant, and the dialog is sharp. Snake Plissken is a wonderful anti-hero because he gets the job done but his motives only serve himself. After many viewings it never gets old. Its one of the better genre movies of all time. 10/10

Snake is king.

I have re-watched this recently. Considering it doesn't look like it had a budget It is a very entertaining 90 mins. Credit must go to the once talented John Carpenter for not only writing and directing this movie, it's "home made" score by Carpenter provides an excellent haunting theme tune.Russell's bad to the bone anti-hero Snake Plisskin is very cool and very tough. In fact Russell's Snake was surely the reason that the awful sequel "Escape from LA" was produced.Definately worth a watch.

I LOVE CABBIE!

I just don't know how to tell you other than "Please get this movie and watch at least once".
Excellent Near Future fiction, and KR is primo.

Another John Carpenter Gem!

Snake Plisken, one of the definitive choatic heroes of the action drama. Once again, John Carpener surpassed himself with this dark classic! From begiinning to end this film is one wild ride! Regretably, the sequel Escape From LA, was a disappointing follow-up to this 80's masterpiece. I highly recommend this DVD, and give it a five star rating.

Escape From The Imitators--Treat Yourself To A Thrillingly Original Cult Classic

Mystified and horrified. Those are the feelings that washed over me when I learned of the proposed remake of the almost flawless B-movie extravaganza "Escape From New York." Tampering with the classics (albeit in this case, a cult classic) is never a good idea. But visions of dollar signs keep studio execs chomping at the bit. The potential to make loads of money from a built-in audience, with the least amount of creativity or originality, seems to rule the Hollywood machine. Having already endured the unnecessary sequel "Escape From L.A.," isn't that punishment aplenty for those of us who want the memory of "New York" to be left in peace? Apparently not. It's enough to have made me grab my copy of "Escape From New York" (the wonderful Special Edition), curl up in the fetal position, and hope the original Snake Plissken could save me from this travesty.



For those unfamiliar with the story of "Escape From New York," I'll offer just enough to tantalize you. In the near future, as the world is besieged by crime, officials have taken drastic measures--the island of Manhattan has been appropriated as a prison. Completely walled off, New York has been restructured into a warzone as brutal criminals rule the streets. Left to their own devices, a new society has formed--it's kill or be killed as everyone must make their own niche in the devastated remnants of the once glorious city. One fateful day, the President of the United States (Donald Pleasance) crash lands in the heart of the prison and a rescue attempt is mounted. Snake Plissken (Kurt Russell), a one-time hero now considered an outlaw, is co-opted to head this operation. As an added incentive to stay on task, however, an explosive is implanted in Snake's neck that will detonate in 24 hours.


And so a grand adventure is set in motion. The concept of "Escape From New York" is thrillingly original--somehow the conceit seems just as plausible as it does outrageous. Ahead of its time in many ways, director John Carpenter has filled "Escape" with colorful characters, nonstop action, and a legitimately dark sense of humor. The imagined cityscape of a Manhattan prison is believably dangerous and the social hierarchy that has developed is well established. In what might be Russell's best role (and certainly his most iconic), Snake is a tremendous creation--an anti-hero worth believing in. His toughness is apparent and his wry humor is at one with his character (as opposed to other films with obviously scripted one-liners). A tremendous roster of supporting players include Ernest Borgnine (at his cheesiest), Harry Dean Stanton (at his sleaziest), Adrienne Barbeau (at her buxomist--OK, I know it's not a word), Lee van Cleef (at his meanest), and Isaac Hayes (at his most Isaac Hayes-ist).



Granted, this isn't a socially significant drama--it's just pure adrenaline rush entertainment. There is a reason that this film has endured--if anything, it is more popular now than when it was released. It's great story telling! In a film world now populated with comic book and graphic novel adaptations, "Escape" (without being remade) still stands at the top of this genre--even though it was an original work of artistry. Grab the Special Edition, the extras are fun if not extraordinary--but it's well worth it for picture and sound quality. KGHarris, 03/07.

Very Good...But

As a devoted DVD collector, I was anxious to get the Special Edition Escape from New York but I was disappointed about one thing - John Carpenter stated that before its release, he was going to add in the original opening sequence where Snake and Fresno Bob rob the Federal Reserve Depository and get caught on the subway. He even stated that he scored music for the scene and included it in the film but it does not appear in the feature film. It appears on Disc Two's Special Features. Misled but still a Plissken/Carpenter fan.

Guilty pleasure

Warning:potential spoilers !!In the year 1997, Manhattan is one big prison. When the President's plane is shot down, gruff and tuff criminal Snake Plissken is sent in to rescue him within in 24 hours or else two things in his neck will kill him.Kinda dated, but this is cheesy entertainment.Kurt Russell does a good Clint Eastwood impersonation and Lee Van Cleef chews the scenery.The production design by Joe Alves is really good and Ernie Borgnine is a hoot.Rating:***1/2 (out of five)

Good, but some problems...

I loved this movie as a kid, and still like it. Especially when you compare it to the awful sequel. But there is just someting that I can't get over.
OK, I can accept the fact that crime got so bad by 1997 that they had to turn a big piece of land into a prison. But I just cannot get over the fact that they would turn the most expensive land in the country into aprison.
Why not Martha's Vineyard or some other island that woldn't involve displacing millions of innocent people and zillions of dollars of industry?
Yes, I know with movies you have to suspend disbelief. But this is a little too much.

Good Movie, Good DVD

**This Review is only for the special edition DVD**

The extras on this DVD are not so good, the extras include: High Definition Film Transfer, the original opening Bank Robbery deleted scene, "Return to Escape from New York featurette, and 2 full length audio commentarys.

I think the only REAL extra on this DVD is that it includes a Mini Comic Book titles "The Snake Plissken Chronicles and cool packadging. Good DVD if you are a DVD collector or like the movie. Like it ALOT.

Seeing Manhattan before it was Eisnerised in the 80s was refreshing.

Once I saw that wall go around Manhattan, I knew I was in for a stinker! OK, so I swallowed that and hoped that the story kept me interested. Seeing Manhattan before it was Eisnerised in the 80s was refreshing. Kurt Russell did a terrific snarl for the entire movie. (Who'd have known he had that snake tattoo during the shooting of the "Computer Wore Tennis Shoes"?) John Carpenter's shooting of Adrienne's cleavage (just like in "The Fog" and "Swamp Thing") was amazing: There was even a moment when I thought "pan down" and the camera followed my direction!! I could dig Isaac Hayes more if he had helped on the soundtrack.

A bit dated, but a decent film.

Here's the film that made Kurt Russell an action star. He forever shed his "Computer Wore Tennis Shoes" Disney image in favor of the raspy voiced Snake Plisken. John Carpenter directed this, which in hind sight stands well on it's own. The sequel, "Escape from L.A.," is basically a retread which serves no real purpose.

While the original is dated, the story is set in the bleak future of 1997, the digital transfer for the DVD is top notch. Not a lot of extras here, but the trailer is so poorly edited that it's good for a laugh. The performances are of questionable quality, Carpenter seems to have told his actors to act like wood, but the overall effect is one of the better B-movies of the early '80s.

A mini-gem from one of the masters of suspense

By 1981 John Carpenter had already carved his name into movie history. He also proved himself a fine horror director. But before his 1978 hit 'Halloween' he had done one really good action film called 'Assault on Precinct 13,' and 5 years later gave us this one. It was my dad who introduced me to 'Escape From New York' many years ago and I've never forgotten how blown away I was by it. Today it's still one of my favorites of Mr. Carpenter's work and no film similar to it, including the decent sequel 'Escape From L.A.,' has surpassed it.Pros: A cool concept. As usual John Carpenter composes a nice score with an unforgettable main theme. A terrific cast of genre veterans and movie legends. After a bit of a slow start, the pace movies along fine. Writer/director Carpenter does a great job of creating suspense and tension. 'Halloween I & II' cinematographer Dean Cundey does an exceptional job here. Some good action scenes. Carpenter and star Kurt Russell created one of the most memorable anti-heroes in recent memory.Cons: Certain things haven't aged well. The low budget shows at times, especially in some of the production design. Though played by great actors, most of the side characters are weakly written making it hard to get more attached.Final thoughts: Leave it to John Carpenter to make a riveting action flick. Sure it's not the best of the genre, but in a time where films made with love and care aren't as frequent as back then it's a fine example of grade A entertainment.My rating: 4/5

Not as great an action film as I'd have hoped but great atmosphere and tension through-out

STAR RATING: ***** Saturday Night **** Friday Night *** Friday Morning ** Sunday Night * Monday Morning In a futuristic New York, the capital city has been turned into a gigantic maximum security prison where some of the most dangerous and violent criminals have been left to rot. But when some rebel fighters threaten to shoot the president's plane down, it is forced to crashland there, only for the president to be taken hostage by some of the criminals who rule the land. So the authorities send in Snake Plisskin (Kurt Russell) an imprisoned soldier, to rescue him, but they trick him into thinking they've given him a vaccine, only to find it's a device that will kill him if he doesn't complete his mission in 24 hours.It's amazing all the classics and 'cult' classics I've never got round to watching but until last night Escape From New York was another one of these. Now I've finally seen it I'm glad I have, as I can mostly see why it was rated so much. As a sci-fi action film it was ahead of it's time, with a style, look and feel that was to shape the way some future action films were to pen out.It's meant to be an action film, but the first half really relies more on a neat atmosphere and sense of tension than any thrilling adventure, typical Carpenter really. Things heat up a bit more in the second half, though and the film certainly created one of action's most iconic characters, Snake Plisskin, the blue khakied, black vested, eye-patch wearing hard-ass with his gravelly voice and anti-authority attitude. It's the role Russell will most likely best be remembered for, and it's clear to see why. Joining him is a lively supporting cast, including Donald Pleasance, fresh from Carpenter's previous Halloween, as the president, Ernest Borgnine as a chirpy cab driver always on hand to help, Shaft warbler Isaac Hayes as the villain, as well as other supporting turns from Harry Dean Stanton and Lee Van Cleef.It's showing it's age now, but this is still an action film any true lover of the genre would be well advised to see if they haven't done so already. ****

snake is king

snake is king of new york, carpenter is too cool

THE KING OF HIGH CONCEPT ACTION MOVIES!!

Before robocop,before terminator and the rest of the semi-dysopian sci-fi franchises, there was escape from new york.
kurt (russel) shatters his whitebread sqeaky clean image from his previous disney flicks to portray one of the best anti heros on celluliod since eastwood's man with no name series. actually this movie kinda pays homage to eastwood and the spaghetti westerns. (hey it's even got lee van cleef)
the plot/movie/soundtrack/special effects was slightly ahead of it's time; a former lt. turned criminal is forced to resucue the president of us within 24 hours etc.etc.etc. many movies tried to imitate escape's concept (I.E.gale ann turd's NO ESCAPE, FORTRESS, and the god awful roger corman's NEW CRIME CITY.) Russell proved to be more of a versatile actor than the over hyped schwartzenegger
but then again that's not saying anything new. as for the DVD S.E. it's packed with bonuses, a cool mini comicbook, the hilarious commentary (albiet an old one) from carpenter and russell,photo gallery and the 15 minute bank robbery scene/ opener. it made alot of sense to omit that scene from the original movie, but it was cool to finally see what escape fans like me have missed since 1981. HUZZAHHH! the perfect companion for this dvd would be the special soundtrack release from silva records. (the bank robbery theme is "off the hook") there's a part in the movie that still sends a chill in my spine when a radical hijacker crashes a plane near the world trade center!!
talk about irony. like i said..escape from ny was way ahead of it's time. and for you snake fans who can't get enough, read the comic series from hurricane press and lookout for the upcoming videogame series by namco not to mention an upcomind anime from the creators of ghost in the shell is now in the works.

SNAKE IS BACK!!!

Don't waste your time on this one.

I must admit that I saw this on TV (TNT is showing it a lot lately), so I might have missed a few things that got cut out, but this one didn't impress me at all. First off, the entire premise is ridiculous. For instance, why would the "United States Police Force" transform an island with some of the highest real estate in the country (Manhattan) into a prison? And, unfortunately, not much develops in the way of the action of the movie. I was at least expecting some interesting "underworld" groups to be exposed in the "prison New York," but instead, it's basically a bunch of shots of old buildings with a few prisoners running around in tattered clothing. In fact, you only see about 50 prisoners at any time, which is a ridiculously low number to warrant the transformation of an entire city into a prison. I haven't seen the sequel "Escape from L.A.," but this movie has lessened my desire to do so.