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Escape from New York

Actor(s): Kurt Russell, Lee Van Cleef, Ernest Borgnine, Donald Pleasence, Isaac Hayes
Director(s): John Carpenter
98

Movie Details

MPAA Rating: R
Content Advisory: Graphic Violence, Brief Nudity, Adult Situations, Not For Children, Adult Language
Movie Release: 1981
DVD Release: 11/21/2000
Format: DVD - Enhanced Wide Screen Letterbox for 16x9 TV,Pan and Scan
Audio Tracks: English
Subtitles: English, French, Spanish
SwapaDVD Credits: 1
Number of Discs: 1
Run Time: 1 hrs 39 mins
Studio: MGM
Members Wishing: 0
Genres: Action, Science Fiction, Escape Film, Sci-Fi Action
See Also: Escape From New York [Special Edition Collector's Set], Escape from New York [UMD for PSP], Escape from New York [Blu-ray]

DVD Synopsis

The year is 1997. Manhattan Island is now a heavily guarded maximum-security prison, where the scum of the earth have converged. When Air Force One crash-lands in Manhattan, the president (Donald Pleasence) is held hostage by its denizens. One-eyed mercenary Snake Plissken (Kurt Russell) is strong-armed into rescuing the chief executive. He is aided, not always willingly, by a tough gal (Adrienne Barbeau) and a manic cab driver (Ernest Borgnine). Escape from New York was followed by a sequel of sorts in 1996, Escape From L.A., again starring Kurt Russell. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Actors

Kurt Russell - Snake Plissken
Lee Van Cleef - Bob Hauk
Ernest Borgnine - Cabbie
Donald Pleasence - President of the United States
Isaac Hayes - The Duke of New York

Editorial Review of DVD

Escape from New York is presented in both widescreen and full-screen formats on this MGM double-sided DVD edition. The widescreen format is enhanced for widescreen televisions (anamorphic). Overall, the film quality is average. There is a fair amount of grain throughout but nothing that is ultimately distracting. Detail is good, despite the dark conditions of much of the film . The Dolby Digital 2.0 Surround soundtrack is also serviceable, if not outstanding. Good clarity in the dialogue is maintained in the dialogue, and the soundtrack, featuring music by director John Carpenter, sounds better than ever. Unfortunately, MGM has provided a bare-bones package to go with the film. The only extra feature is a theatrical trailer. Considering the classic commentary by Carpenter and star Kurt Russell on =The Thing, it is disappointing that a commentary for =Escape could not be arranged. Overall, this DVD represents the best that Escape from New York has ever looked or sounded, but with such bare-bones treatment, it is hardly definitive. ~ Todd Terwilliger, All Movie Guide

Member Movie Reviews

Brian L. (Bridad) from DRAPER, UT wrote on 6/1/2009...

The quintessential guy flick, Escape From New York is one of those re-watchable films that offers up something of value every time you see it. In an alternate future, Manhattan Island has been turned into a maximum security prison in true dystopian fashion. It’s up to Snake Plisken to rescue the President and stop a war – hey, he’s going in either way, right? In my world, Escape From New York was a stand-alone piece. Don’t waste your time on the ill-planned and even more poorly-executed sequel. There is nothing like New York when it’s time to ESCAPE!

Jennifer F. (KnJFisher) from GILLETT, PA wrote on 5/24/2008...

2 of 2 member(s) found this review helpful.

In 1988, the U.S. turned Manhattan, New York into a maximum security prison where the most brutal criminals are residing for life, due to the 400% rise in crime rates. There's no way for them to escape, as the bridges are filled with mines, a large wall is built around the shoreline, and a police force army is based there to take out any attempted escapees. In 1997, Air Force One is hijacked, so the president escapes in a pod, landing in Manhattan. Ex-special forces war hero/bank robber Snake Plissken is offered his freedom if he can rescue the president, who was on his way to a Hartford Summit meeting as well as a cassette tape (CDs weren't around in 1981) that contains important information regarding Nuclear Fission within 24 hours. Just to make sure he goes through the mission, Snake has been implanted with two microscopic capsules that will explode within 24 hours, meaning that he'll be dead if he's a little late.