Escape from New York
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In a world ravaged by crime, the entire island of Manhattan has been converted into a walled prison where brutal prisoners roam free. After the US president crash-lands inside, war hero Snake Plissken has 24 hours to bring him back.
What critics thought
Carpenter's dystopian thriller earned broad approval on release, though critics quibbled over whether it fully delivered on its arresting premise. Most agreed Russell's Snake Plissken was a genuine genre creation, but the film's reach versus its grasp — pulpy B-movie craftsmanship bumping up against higher ambitions — was the central point of contention.
“John Carpenter is offering this summer's moviegoers a rare opportunity: to escape from the air-conditioned torpor of ordinary entertainment into the hothouse humidity of their own paranoia. It's a trip worth taking”
Richard Corliss·Time
“[He has a] deeply ingrained B-movie sensibility – which is both his strength and limitation. He does clean work, but settles for too little. He uses Russell well, however”
Newsweek
“Everything is here, and it all works fairly well, but it never quite comes together as an involving story or overpowering adventure.”
Roger Ebert·The Chicago Sun-Times
“it fails to satisfy – it gives us too little of too much”
Dave Kehr·Chicago Reader
“It is solid summer entertainment of unusually high caliber. By not pretending to be more than it is, but by also not settling for any less than it could be, Escape becomes an exciting, fast-moving drama, the likes of which we haven't seen in years.”
Christopher John·Ares Magazine
Parents guide
- Violence
- moderate
- Sex
- mild
- Profanity
- moderate
- Substances
- mild
- Intensity
- moderate
Genres
Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi
Cast & Crew
John CarpenterDirector
Kurt RussellSnake Plissken
Lee Van CleefPolice Commissioner Bob Hauk
Ernest BorgnineCabbie
Donald PleasencePresident of the United States
Isaac HayesThe Duke of New York
Season HubleyGirl in Chock Full O'Nuts
Harry Dean StantonHarold 'Brain' Helman
Adrienne BarbeauMaggie
Tom AtkinsRehme
Charles CyphersSecretary of State
Frank DoubledayRomero
Alan HowarthComposerJohn CarpenterComposer
Nick CastleWriter
Dean CundeyCinematographyEscape from New York
In a world ravaged by crime, the entire island of Manhattan has been converted into a walled prison where brutal prisoners roam free. After the US president crash-lands inside, war hero Snake Plissken has 24 hours to bring him back.
What critics thought
Carpenter's dystopian thriller earned broad approval on release, though critics quibbled over whether it fully delivered on its arresting premise. Most agreed Russell's Snake Plissken was a genuine genre creation, but the film's reach versus its grasp — pulpy B-movie craftsmanship bumping up against higher ambitions — was the central point of contention.
“John Carpenter is offering this summer's moviegoers a rare opportunity: to escape from the air-conditioned torpor of ordinary entertainment into the hothouse humidity of their own paranoia. It's a trip worth taking”
Richard Corliss·Time
“[He has a] deeply ingrained B-movie sensibility – which is both his strength and limitation. He does clean work, but settles for too little. He uses Russell well, however”
Newsweek
“Everything is here, and it all works fairly well, but it never quite comes together as an involving story or overpowering adventure.”
Roger Ebert·The Chicago Sun-Times
“it fails to satisfy – it gives us too little of too much”
Dave Kehr·Chicago Reader
“It is solid summer entertainment of unusually high caliber. By not pretending to be more than it is, but by also not settling for any less than it could be, Escape becomes an exciting, fast-moving drama, the likes of which we haven't seen in years.”
Christopher John·Ares Magazine
Parents guide
- Violence
- moderate
- Sex
- mild
- Profanity
- moderate
- Substances
- mild
- Intensity
- moderate
Genres
Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi
Cast & Crew
John CarpenterDirectorKurt RussellSnake PlisskenLee Van CleefPolice Commissioner Bob HaukErnest BorgnineCabbieDonald PleasencePresident of the United StatesIsaac HayesThe Duke of New YorkSeason HubleyGirl in Chock Full O'NutsHarry Dean StantonHarold 'Brain' HelmanAdrienne BarbeauMaggieTom AtkinsRehmeCharles CyphersSecretary of StateFrank DoubledayRomeroAlan HowarthComposerJohn CarpenterComposerNick CastleWriterDean CundeyCinematographyStream
Rent & Buy