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.
Direction
Carpter's lean, mean exploitation auteurism before the budget bloat.
Score
That synth theme lives rent-free in your brain forever.
Acting
Russell's whisper-growl birth of an iconic antihero.
Director
John Carpenter
Kurt Russell
Snake Plissken
Lee Van Cleef
Police Commissioner Bob Hauk
Ernest Borgnine
Cabbie
Donald Pleasence
President of the United States
Isaac Hayes
The Duke of New York
Season Hubley
Girl in Chock Full O'Nuts
Harry Dean Stanton
Harold 'Brain' Helman
Adrienne Barbeau
Maggie
Tom Atkins
Rehme
Charles Cyphers
Secretary of State
Frank Doubleday
Romero
George Buck Flower
Drunk
John Cothran
Gypsy #1
Nancy Stephens
Stewardess
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
The glider sequence uses the same World Trade Center footage from Superman (1978)—Carpenter got it cheap.
Snake's look directly inspired Metal Gear Solid's Solid Snake; Hideo Kojima has called this his favorite film.
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Reactions from the web
LIVE from New York
@gotreachyet 39
This film saw the future of the city.
@mercenaryknight5419 5
One of the best voice over technicians ever.
@Macleodking 36
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