Escape From New York May 2026

The film is anchored by iconic performance as Snake Plissken. Departing from his clean-cut Disney roles, Russell crafted a gravel-voiced, indifferent anti-hero inspired by Clint Eastwood’s "Man with No Name". Snake’s nihilism is the heart of the film; his most famous line—"I don't give a f*ck about your war, or your president"—encapsulates the post-Watergate cynicism that inspired Carpenter. 'Escape From New York': My Interview with John Carpenter

When Air Force One is hijacked and crashes into the city, the President (Donald Pleasence) is taken hostage by the "Duke of New York" (Isaac Hayes). Desperate, Police Commissioner Hauk (Lee Van Cleef) recruits Snake Plissken—a former war hero turned cynical criminal—to rescue him. To ensure cooperation, Hauk implants microscopic explosives in Snake’s neck that will detonate in 24 hours unless he returns with the President. Escape from New York

Set in a "future" 1997, the United States has responded to a 400% surge in crime by turning Manhattan into a giant, walled-off maximum-security prison. There are no guards inside; once you go in, you don't come out. The film is anchored by iconic performance as Snake Plissken