Product Description

"Dark and dangerous!"Kurt Russell (Stargate) stars in a high-velocity sci-fi action-thriller that sets the screen ablaze with heart-stopping suspense outrageous stunts and imaginative special effects. Bristling with riveting chases and hard-hitting fight sequences Escape From New York is your passport to nonstop excitement!In a world ravaged by crime the entire island of Manhattan has been converted into a prison which houses the world s most brutal inmates. And when the President of the United States (Donald Pleasence) crash lands inside only one man can bring him back: Snake Plissken (Russell) a notorious outlaw and former Special Forces war hero who in exchange for a full pardon descends into the decayed city and wages a blistering war against the captors. But time is short: in 24 hours an explosive charge planted inside Snake s body will end the mission -- and his life --unless he succeeds!A war hero turned outlaw is catapulted into an explosive adventure in which he must rescue the U.S. president from a brutal island prison in this high-octane thriller that bristles with action and excitement.Format: DVD MOVIE Genre: ACTION/ADVENTURE UPC: 027616899514 Manufacturer No: 1005690

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #5987 in DVD
• Brand: TWENTIETH CENTURY FOX HOME ENT
• Released on: 2003-12-16
• Rating: R (Restricted)
• Aspect ratio: 2.35:1
• Formats: AC-3, Anamorphic, Closed-captioned, Collector's Edition, Color, Dolby, Dubbed, DVD-Video, Special Edition, Subtitled, Widescreen, NTSC
• Original language: English, French
• Subtitled in: English, French, Spanish
• Dubbed in: French
• Number of discs: 2
• Dimensions: 1.00 pounds
• Running time: 99 minutes

Amazon.com
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

DVD features
Fans of the cult favorite have known about the original opening ever since the film debuted in 1980. Twenty-three years later, this first reel (about 8 minutes of footage) is seen, and folks, you didn't miss a thing. The opening robbery attempt (which lands hero Snake Plissken in the New York City jail) shows the low-key and cash-strapped production at its worst. On the optional commentary track, director John Carpenter and actor Kurt Russell talk about the opening and come to the conclusion it was something good to trim. Also on this two-disc set is a new, deft 25-minute featurette on the production, too many notes on the new comic book series, and two commentary tracks. The Carpenter-Russell one from the 1984 laser disc (before the sequel Escape from L.A. was made) is a detailed and delightful reminiscence; the new one from producer Debra Hill and production designer Joe Alves track is for die-hard fans only. Both the picture and sound have been souped up here, making the low-cost film look and sound better than its grassroots origins probably deserve. --Doug Thomas

Customer Reviews

A Cult Classic
Not really being familiar with the work of John Carpenter or the acting ability of Kurt Russell, I guess it can safely be said that I went into this movie blind. That, in many ways can be a good thing. I went in with little to no expectations and had no hopes about what I wanted to see. Little did I know that this movie would shock me beyond belief as to how genuinely good it was. Sure it was corny and sure, it was filled with the classic cliché's that we've become familiar with from 80's movies. That didn't make it less entertaining. In fact it made it even more enjoyable than I could have possibly imagined.

This movie had everything and more. It gave us suspense, a bit of horror, a chunk of emotion and a snippet of humour. They all blended together to create what eventually (from what I've learned recently) became a true cult classic. The characters have no real depth but deliver the personalities that made this movie work. Snake Plissken is the typical badass hero who cares for nobody else but himself until he's faced with particular situations. Brain who's the slimy guy who would sell anyone down the river for his own benefit. The only reason they haven't gotten rid of him is because he knows everything and supplies the criminals with oil. Let's not forget the Duke. He's the baddest of all the bad people in New York and, as the saying goes "you don't cross the duke."

The story is set in 1997 (They could have made it a bit more futuristic, I know. Maybe 2050?) And the infamous Island of Manhattan has been turned into one big maximum security prison. Every crook in America is sent to the Island and there's simply no escape. Air Force One is faced with problems and is crashed into the island, leading to the kidnapping of the President. Because of the situation, the prison officers are unable to get him as there are threats to kill him if any attempts to save him are made. The police commissioner known as Hauk has no option but to send in a former Special Operations soldier, who's now a convicted criminal in to save the president. Snake Plissken is made an offer. Save the president within 22 hours or die.

For a movie made in the early 1980s, I was pleasantly surprised at the complexity of some of the visual effects. The border around the island was displayed with absolutely no flaws. Apart from the terrible 80s style haircuts, I would have been convinced that this movie was made in the past couple of years. The setting of a New York run by convicted criminals and psychopaths (better known as the Crazies) comes across as very genuine. At times I came to believe that something like this could come into effect, especially if the crime rates continue to rise. Kurt Russell is great in this movie, and being supported by the legendary Harry Dean Stanton was something great.

I would strongly recommend this to any movie fan. It's really better if you're not familiar with the style of Carpenter or the acting of Russell as you're given a real treat.

A GREAT CULT CLASSIC MOVIE!!!
This movie came before Escape from LA, and it's just great. It's not meant to be taken too seriously. There are subtle jokes throughout the movie. A lot of it is tongue in cheek. So enjoy it for what it is. There will be no Oscars, no awards given out for this movie... it's just mindless entertainment. You can tell Kurt Russell is having fun with the character. The whole movie is "over the top" and that's the point. Loads of fun, provided you don't take the movie, or yourself, too seriously. So lighten up, sit back, and enjoy! Check out Escape from LA too.

Ahead of it's time!
John Carpenter's "Escape From New York" movie was way ahead of it's time and is a much better script and story than "Escape From L.A." In the second movie or it's continuum, there was too much repetitive dialogue copied or borrowed from the 1st movie. Snake is always left behind by one of his fellow thieves in both films and same dialogue of threats are made from United States Police Force commanding officers towards Plissken. They broke the mold with "E.F.N.Y." film after it was released into theaters. Do they have a 'special featurettes' with the new dvd version of "Escape From New York"?