Movies / Escape From New York (1981)
Runtime: 99 min
Genres: Action Adventure Crime Sci-Fi Thriller
Languages: English
In the future, crime is out of control and New York City is a maximum security prison. Grabbing a bargaining chip right out of the air, convicts bring down the President's plane in bad old Gotham. Gruff Snake Plissken, a one-eyed warrior new to prison life, is coerced into bringing the President, and his cargo, out of this land of undesirables. Kurt Russell put his Disney days behind him as the nicest bad guy in the picture. All comic-book sensibilities and macho posturing, this is one of writer-director John Carpenter's better brainless escapes. There are snappy one-liners and explosive action scenes. However, the film lacks tension and some believability even within the realm of SF fantasy. Even when it fails to gel, though, it always manages to amuse, thanks in great part to a varied and unusual supporting cast (watch for Ernest Borgnine as a cabdriver). Followed in 1996 by Carpenter's overdone and campy Escape from L.A. --Rochelle O'Gorman
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Directors (1) | Credit |
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John Carpenter | ... |
Writers (2) | Credit |
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John Carpenter | (written by) and |
Nick Castle | (written by) |
Composers (2) | Credit |
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Alan Howarth | ... |
John Carpenter | ... |
Editors (1) | Credit |
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Todd C. Ramsay | (as Todd Ramsay) |
Cinematographers (2) | Credit |
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Dean Cundey | ... |
George D. Dodge | (director of photography) |
Actors (58) | Credit |
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Adrienne Barbeau | Maggie |
Alan Shearman | Dancer |
Al Cerullo | Helicopter Pilot #4 |
Barron Winchester | Sewer Dweller (uncredited) |
Bob Minor | Duty Sergeant |
Borah Silver | Theater Manager |
Carla Barnett | Gypsy (uncredited) |
Carmen Filpi | Bum |
Charles Cyphers | Secretary of State |
Clay Wright | Helicopter Pilot #3 |
Clem Fox | Second Indian |
Dale E. House | Helicopter Pilot #1 |
David E. Harshbarger | Soldier / Bum in Theater (uncredited) |
David R. Patrick | Helicopter Pilot #2 |
Debra Hill | Computer (voice) |
Donald Pleasence | President |
Ernest Borgnine | Cabbie |
Frank Doubleday | Romero |
Garrett Bergfeld | Gypsy #2 |
George 'Buck' Flower | Drunk (as Buck Flower) |
Harry Dean Stanton | Brain |
Isaac Hayes | The Duke |
James Emery | Trooper |
James O'Hagen | Computer Operator |
Jamie Lee Curtis | Narrator / Computer (uncredited) (voice) |
Joel Bennett | Gypsy #4 |
Joe Unger | Taylor (scenes deleted) |
John Carpenter | Secret Service #2 / Helicopter Pilot / Violin Player (voice) (uncredited) |
John Contini | Eye-Patch Prisoner (uncredited) |
John Cothran Jr. | Gypsy #1 |
John Diehl | Punk |
John Strobel | Cronenberg |
Joseph A. Perrotti | Dancer |
Kathleen Blanchard | Narrator - Opening scenes (uncredited) (unconfirmed) |
Ken Tipton | (uncredited) |
Kurt Russell | Snake Plissken |
Lee Van Cleef | Hauk |
Lonnie Wun | Red Bandana Gypsy |
Lowmoan Spectacular | Dancer |
Mark Stern | Guy in Chock Full O'Nuts (uncredited) |
Michael Taylor | Secret Service #3 |
Nancy Stephens | Stewardess |
Nick Castle | Pianist (uncredited) |
Ox Baker | Slag |
Richard Cosentino | Gypsy Guard |
Robert John Metcalf | Gypsy #3 |
Rodger Bumpass | Dancer |
Ronald E. House | Dancer |
Ron Vernan | Dancer |
Season Hubley | Girl in Chock Full O'Nuts |
Steven Ford | Secret Service #2 |
Steven M. Gagnon | Secret Service #1 |
Tobar Mayo | Third Indian |
Tom Atkins | Rehme |
Tom Lillard | Police Sergeant |
Tony Papenfuss | Theater Assistant |
Vic Bullock | First Indian |
Wally Taylor | Controller |