STARRING:
Kurt Russell, Lee Van Cleef, Ernest Borgine, Donald Pleasence, Isaac Hayes, Harry Dean
Stanton
1981, 99 Minutes, Directed by: John Carpenter
Description: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. —
Amazon.com
After a botched hijacking
attempt, the President of the United States' private jet plane crashes unto Manhattan
island. Not much of a problem you would say, except that the entire isle of Manhattan has
been turned into a high-security prison! The government simply built a giant wall around
the thing, mined the river and bridges and blows up anybody who so much as tries to
escape! Needless to add, the President is immediately captured and held hostage by the
criminals.
Into this scenario
"Snake" Plisken (Kurt Russell) is thrown. He has to rescue the president within
24 hours or otherwise an explosive injected into his bloodstream will go off and he will
die. They don't have anti-heroes like Snake on the silver screen anymore. He is one bad
ass mother! When told about the president, his reaction is basically "so? Get a new one."
The film was made on a
smallish budget and at times it shows. But overall the effects and sets are quite
realistic and director John (The Thing,
Dark Star) Carpenter keeps the whole stew boiling to make a rather enjoyable
dinner. Bit like curry - its charms are hard to explain but still
enjoyable.
If you haven't seen this
one yet, rent it now!
(Followed by a
tongue-in-cheek sequel Escape from L.A. in 1996
- fifteen years later!)
Description:
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. —
