Escape from New York
(Click here)
Buy this DVD movie at online store in your country
Canada
Canada
DVD Cover Information
Actor: Adrienne Barbeau, Ernest Borgnine, Garrett Bergfeld, Joel Bennett, Tom AtkinsBrand: RUSSELL,KURT
Primary Contributor: Russell, Kurt
Primary Contributor: Van Cleef, Lee
DVD: Region Code 1
Audio: English (Original Language), Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo; Spanish (Subtitled); French (Subtitled)
Format: Anamorphic, Closed-captioned, Color, DVD, Full Screen, NTSC, Widescreen
Picture Format: Anamorphic Widescreen, 2.35:1
Running Time: 99 minutes
DVD Release Date: 2000-11-21
Audience Rating: R (Restricted)
Studio: MGM (Video & DVD)
Movie Reviews of Escape from New York
Movie Review: Escapist classic
Summary: 5 Stars
I really enjoyed this film when it was released in '81 and recently got it on DVD and watched it again this week.
It was also fascinating to listen to John Carpenter and Kurt Russell talk through the film on one of the extra features which I did. It gave me a better understanding of how the film was made and why certain things were the way they were.
What I particularly liked about this story was the premise that crime had forced the authorities in the USA to declare what was tantamount to martial law and turn New York into a prison where all those who violated one of the vast raft of laws was sent. There was no appeal and no return once one was admitted.
Such draconian rules always provokes a backlash and a political activist forces the President's plane to crash into New York and the authorities have to plan a rescue, but their best chance is to use a former war hero turned cynical and bitter to get him out in 24 hours.
Kurt Russell is brilliant as the anti-hero Snake Plisskin, some sort of folk hero who has fallen from grace and is earmarked for prison, but the deal is to pardon him if he manages to get President Donald Pleasence (somewhat miscast in my opinion) out. Plisskin cares little about anything but as his journey is followed you begin to root for him, and the film does unusually for an action film touch on the human side of the character.
There are other strong supporting roles; Lee Van Cleef as the piolice commissioner, a cold-hearted ruthless man who is nothing more than a criminal in uniform; Ernest Borgnine as the naive and simple Cabbie; Harry Dean Stanton as the clever 'Brain', and the late Isaac Hayes as the Duke of New York, the chief bad man who Plisskin has to defeat to get his mission done.
Made on a shoestring budget, its cleverly shot and directed, and there is sufficient action to keep one gripped throughout the film to its conclusion. There is even a nice twist at the end to make you smile.
Summary of Escape from New York
A thrilling landmark film that jolts along at a breakneck pace, Escape From New York leapt to cult status with high-octane action, edge-of-your-seat suspense and a mind-blowing vision of a lone warrior (Kurt Russell) battling his way out of a post-apocalyptic Manhattan! Hailed as "stylish and scary" (Los Angeles Times), "dark and dangerous" (Newsweek) and "gloriously...fun" (Tyler Morning Telegraph), this fast-paced and furiously entertaining thriller grabs you by the throat and won't let go! In a world ravaged by crime, the entire island of Manhattan has been converted to a walled prison where brutal prisoners roam. But when the U.S. President (Donald Pleasence) crash-lands inside, only one man can bring him back: notorious outlaw and former Special Forces war hero Snake Plissken (Russell). But time is short: in 24 hours, an explosive device implanted in his neck will end Snake's missionand his lifeunless he succeeds!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
Action & Adventure DVD Video
DVD Video
- Action & Adventure
- African American Cinema
- Animation
- Anime & Manga
- Art House & International
- Classics
- Comedy
- Cult Movies
- Documentary
- Drama
- Educational
- Fitness & Yoga
- Gay & Lesbian
- Horror
- Kids & Family
- Military & War
- Music Video & Concerts
- Musicals & Performing Arts
- Mystery & Suspense
- Science Fiction & Fantasy
- Special Interests
- Sports
- Television
- Westerns
Movies most talked about in Libertarianism in Film and Television
V for Vendetta (Widescreen Edition)Warner Brothers; Release date: 2006-08-01; DVD
Best price: $4.99
Price in other shops:
Escape from New YorkRUSSELL,KURT; Release date: 2000-11-21; DVD
Best price: $6.95
Price in other shops:
They LivePIPER,RODDY; Release date: 2003-09-23; DVD
Best price: $8.25
Price in other shops:
Enemy of the StateDisney; Release date: 1999-06-15; DVD
Best price: $14.99
Jeremiah JohnsonREDFORD,ROBERT; Release date: 1997-10-29; DVD
Best price: $5.79
Price in other shops:
ShenandoahUniversal Studios; Release date: 2003-05-06; DVD
Best price: $24.95
Red Dawn (Collector's Edition)MGM; Release date: 2007-07-17; DVD
Best price: $12.49
Price in other shops:
Jericho - The Complete SeriesPARAMOUNT HOME VIDEO; Release date: 2008-06-17; DVD
Best price: $48.99
Price in other shops:
The Lord of the Rings - The Motion Picture Trilogy (Platinum Series Special Extended Edition)Warner Brothers; Release date: 2004-12-14; DVD
Best price: $87.93
DuckTales - Volume 3Buena Vista Home Video; Release date: 2007-11-13; DVD
Best price: $22.29
Price in other shops:
Similar DVD Movies
The Fog (Special Edition)TCFHE/MGM; Release date: 2005-10-04; DVD
Best price: $3.98
Price in other shops:
The Road Warrior / Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome (Double Feature)Warner Brothers; Release date: 2007-05-22; DVD
Best price: $7.56
Price in other shops:
Mad Max Beyond ThunderdomeGIBSON,MEL; Release date: 1997-07-30; DVD
Best price: $5.95
Price in other shops:
![The Fog (1979) [Blu-ray] Image](/images/The-Fog-1979-Blu-ray-B0019GJ4EC-X.jpg)
The Fog (1979) [Blu-ray]Release date: 2009-02-24; DVD
Best price: $14.85
Price in other shops:
They LivePIPER,RODDY; Release date: 2003-09-23; DVD
Best price: $8.30
Price in other shops:
The Thing (Collector's Edition)RUSSELL,KURT; Release date: 2004-10-26; DVD
Best price: $7.56
Price in other shops:
SoldierRUSSELL,KURT; Release date: 1999-03-02; DVD
Best price: $4.06
Price in other shops:
Mad Max (Special Edition)Mad; Release date: 2002-01-01; DVD
Best price: $6.34
Price in other shops:
Big Trouble in Little China (Single Disc Edition)TCFHE; Release date: 2002-08-27; DVD
Best price: $4.26
Price in other shops:
Escape from L.A.RUSSELL,KURT; Release date: 1998-12-15; DVD
Best price: $4.15
Price in other shops: