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Escape From New York

Play trailer Poster for Escape From New York R Released Jul 10, 1981 1h 39m Action Adventure Sci-Fi Play Trailer Watchlist
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86% Tomatometer 73 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 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 Nov 19, 2018 Full Review Phil Hoad Guardian The film plays its social satire broad but strings it along a rail of self-awareness. Rated: 4/5 Oct 25, 2018 Full Review Arthur Knight Hollywood Reporter It has got an intriguing premise, an effective cast, and it has been expertly mounted. Jul 10, 2017 Full Review Alan Jones Radio Times Despite a marvellous night-time opening sequence, this slice of escapism never really delivers on the ingenuity of its premise. Rated: 3/5 Sep 13, 2024 Full Review Kevin Carr Fat Guys at the Movies Not my favorite classic Carpenter film, it still offers a scrappy look into the director’s political edge. Rated: 2.5/4 Aug 5, 2023 Full Review Phil Brown That Shelf The filmmaker’s cynical sense of humor and anti-authoritarian stance are all over the movie without overwhelming the suspense/entertainment focus. Jul 8, 2023 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Jason They don't make movies like these anymore. Thank you for bringing it back to the big screen. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 02/08/24 Full Review Joby 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 Rated 5 out of 5 stars 02/05/24 Full Review S. Thomas Kurt Russell's most iconic role ever Rated 5 out of 5 stars 02/09/24 Full Review 03Cobra An all-time classic. Never gets old. Carpenter in his prime ('76-'94). Rated 5 out of 5 stars 02/05/24 Full Review Brent A 50% rating ... Interesting concept, but there was definitely some very odd scenes that completely disengaged me from the storyline. Overall, it was ok, but not something that truly captured my attention. Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars 10/20/24 Full Review Jonathan O One hellva entertaining action thriller with really awesome performances by Kurt Russell and really outstanding supporting actors and incredible vfx, cinematography and sound and John Carpenter really does really fantastic directing action films. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 10/18/24 Full Review Read all reviews
Escape From New York

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Cast & Crew

John Carpenter's Escape From L.A. 54% 39% John Carpenter's Escape From L.A. Watchlist Predator 80% 87% Predator Watchlist TRAILER for Predator Predator 2 30% 44% Predator 2 Watchlist Tank Girl 45% 62% Tank Girl Watchlist No Escape 59% 41% No Escape Watchlist Discover more movies and TV shows. View More

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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