1997. New York City is a walled, maximum security prison. Breaking out is impossible. Breaking in is insane.
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.
ActionThrillerScience Fictionnew york citytaximartial artsstreet gangusa presidentwar veterankidnappinghostageliberation of prisonersgangsterdystopiaanti hero
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Where do you stand?
Three questions people argue about. Answer first, then see how your circle and the community split.
Is this John Carpenter's best work?
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Is it style over substance?
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Would Escape from New York hit harder if it came out today rather than in 1981?
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Answered from the reviews and content notes on file, never made up. If nothing on file settles it, it says so.
Character
Plot-driven, relentless, grave and classical in form.
- character-ledplot-driven
- contemplativerelentless
- gravecomic
- classical in formformally daring
- cooloverwhelming
Who loves it, who doesn't
39 profiled raters. Loved most by The Cartographers; disliked most by The Ironists.
Reviews
No reviews yet.
Cast
- 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
Crew
- John CarpenterDirector
- Nick CastleScreenplay
- John CarpenterScreenplay
- Dean CundeyDirector of Photography
- Alan HowarthOriginal Music Composer
- John CarpenterOriginal Music Composer
- Todd C. RamsayEditor
- Larry FrancoProducer
- Debra HillProducer
Where to watch
| Stream | |
|---|---|
| Free | |
| Rent |
US availability, powered by JustWatch via TMDB. Other regions
Pairings
Companions we picked from the closest works, and how to take them.
Similar in taste
Closest on the same fourteen dimensions, from everything scored on Curator Co. Other media included when they land close.
Young Guns 198874% alikeClose across the board.
RoboCop 198772% alikeClose across the board.
A Fistful of Dollars 196472% alikeBoth plot-driven.
Sleepy Hollow 199971% alikeClose across the board.
They Live 198871% alikeBoth plot-driven.
Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome 198570% alikeBoth plot-driven.
Cowboy Bebop: The Movie 200170% alikeClose across the board.
Batman Returns 199269% alikeClose across the board.
Full Throttle 199567% alikeGame · Both plot-driven.
Creature Commandos 202466% alikeSeries · Close across the board.
Often watched with
Recommendations from TMDB. Opening one adds it to Curator Co.
