Escape from New York (1981)

Directed by: John Carpenter | 99 minutes | action, science fiction | Actors: Kurt Russell, Lee van Cleef, Ernest Borgnine, Isaac Hayes, Donald Pleasence, Season Hubley, Harry Dean Stanton, Adrienne Barbeau, Tom Atkins, Charles Cyphers

John Carpenter proved in 1981 that exciting action films can be made for relatively little money. In his glory days, the cult director made one classic after another. ‘Escape from New York’ is one of Carpenter’s undisputed cinematic highlights.

The movie starts in the future. In 1988(!) the crime rate soared and to make matters worse, the American president was also taken hostage. The shaggy criminal Snake Plissken (Russell) must free the leader. In a race against time, Plissken is infected with a poison dose that will explode within 24 hours, the president must be rescued from the clutches of a vicious street gang.

Despite the film’s sometimes very dated appearance, ‘Escape from New York’ still stands as a rock. However, don’t let the look of the film put you off. The print is fast paced and exciting and humorous. The film’s greatest strength is the obvious fun the cast had in making this production. The fun off the screen. This makes the dark atmosphere a bit lighter.

Regular Carpenter actor Kurt Russell will star. In the 1980s, Russell and Carpenter formed a close-knit team who made many memorable films together. The role of the one-eyed anti-hero Snake Plissken is without a doubt one of Russell’s best roles. With his boyish appearance and hoarse voice, Russell creates a tough and appealing character. This unwilling hero has achieved real cult status.

Now Plissken seems rather dated to younger viewers with his old-fashioned clothing and erroneous, exaggerated one-liners. But the influence of this character on today’s film world is obvious. Today, a huge number of movie characters are based on the taciturn, rock-hard anti-hero who wants to do everything alone. In addition to Russell, actors such as Lee van Cleef and Isaac Hayes also shine.

The interesting thing about all the characters is that almost no character is overwhelmingly sympathetic or unsympathetic. Almost every figure appears to have a double agenda, no one can be trusted. It also appears that there is little room in this film for heroism. The people in ‘Escape from New York’ mainly act out of selfishness.

Carpenter has made an inky black action film with his film. The atmosphere in ‘Escape from New York’ is depressing, gloomy and melancholy. The sets and appearance of the film are dingy and dirty. The fantasy city looks desolate and cold.

Fortified by a chilling atmosphere, Carpenter tells an exciting and grim story in which nothing is as it seems.

The director has some surprising plot twists in store for the viewer. The soundtrack of the film provides a nice accompaniment to the action. The synthesizer sounds with their electronic beeps seem very outdated, but the music does enhance the action.

Despite the age of the print, ‘Escape from New York’ remains a very enjoyable film, which fans of fast-paced action films should not miss.