Escape from New York (1981). Snake Eye.

#johncarpenter #escapefromnewyork #80s #80smovies
Stam Fine looks at the 1981 classic sci-fi action film, Escape from New york, which sees Snake Plisken inserted into the walled off city-turned-prison to rescue the President.
Stars Kurt Russell, Isaac Hayes, Harry Dead Stanton, Adrienne Barbeau, Lee Van Cleef, Ernest Borgnine , and Donald Pleasence.

[@mikehunt4986]

"New York in the 70s and 80s was not a place you wanted to visit, if you could avoid it." As a person who has lived in NYC since the 70s I can assure you that the same rings true right now.

[@neohermitist]

I do believe Kurt Russell has starred in every single genre of movie.

[@carlrood4457]

He has been working consistently since he was 11, so he had plenty of opportunities. He even played a jungle boy on Gilligan's Island which crossed of a couple of genres right there.

[@neohermitist]

@@carlrood4457 I was wondering if he was in a musical and looked it up and was in a musical in 1968.

[@tycannah4271]

"Soap On a Rope" Stam, only you and I can relate to that metaphor. Yep, Russia and China and STILL nothing has changed in 42 years. Music is ear worm, cast is top notch from start to bottom. Miss so many of those actors.

[@carlrood4457]

The "I thought you were dead" thing was lifted from the John Wayne movie, Big Jake. As an added bit of trivia, Kurt's father was an actor, Bing Russell. He was mainly in supporting roles in movies and guest roles on TV. He an Kurt actually appeared together in an episode of The Virginian. He was also an avid baseball fan and owned a minor league team for many years. Bing's grandson (Kurt's nephew) is former major league player, Matt Franco.

[@darrenrunning5415]

One of the interesting things about the novel is that the opening chapters are about Snake robbing the depository, getting caught and sent to New York. Once he's injected with the micro bombs, the novel's chapters start counting down from 24, with each chapter covering the span of one hour, much like the tv series '24' would do a couple of decades later.

[@troubadour723]

This movie and The Warriors solidified my impression of what New York City was really like, decades before my first visit. I’ve never been so disappointed.

[@markeastwood74]

Same here. I even made the pilgrimage to Coney Island. Wasn't worth it.

[@colormedubious4747]

For the love of all that's good and decent, do NOT remake this movie!

[@tomsenior7405]

This film is perfect. (Apart from: The erratic pacing, the daft plot, the limited action sequences, the daft plot, the over-the-top ridiculous characters, the daft plot, the naff dialogue, the daft plot, the blackout night scenes, the daft plot, the tiny budget...). Yup, absolutely perfect. One of my favourites.

[@ProjectCambrian]

Best description ever! LOL!! Part that always cracked me up was how a Spec Ops guy was known by Literally Everyone!

[@tomsenior7405]

@@ProjectCambrian Good point. Snake used the same PR Guy as James Bond; "Your Secrecy is our business".

[@justinavery8664]

Well.... if ya think about it. Many Spec Ops folks now are always in the media.. books, movies, podcasts, news.. etc.. totally counter to the job.. life imitating art or vice versa. 🤔 But I grew up on these movies and love them. Atleast in this era they tried, the new stuff is mostly CG junk.

[@tomsenior7405]

@@justinavery8664 Agreed.

[@pdlagasse]

“This film is perfect BECAUSE OF the erratic pacing …” etc.

[@ricardocantoral7672]

I love the atmosphere of Escape, it's my favorite chill action film.

[@ashroskell]

Wonder how many people got that Taxi theme music gag? Made me smile. Just love this channel. ❤️👍

[@jasonblalock4429]

Hah, I was just about to comment on that. Nice little reference.

[@Trilaan]

It took me a brief moment, then I was like "Oh ha hah!"

[@mikehunt4986]

I wonder how many people know that Slag was played by pro wrestler Ox Baker. I doubt the uploader does or else he would've mentioned it.

[@Theoriginaljackolantern]

First Rated R Film I ever saw in the theater. You're spot on with all comments, and I didn't know Jamie Lee Curtis did the voice-over in the beginning.

[@qtheband751]

Donald Pleasence. The only president with an English accent.

[@comentedonakeyboard]

I guess in this future the UK is the 51st state.

[@williamgeorge2580]

In the 80s Carpenter and Russell were effectively a guarantee of a hella fun movie.

[@cologne2792]

Stam Fine:The Reason For Fridays.

[@waltergiles86]

Absolutely the coolest movie ever!!!!😅😊❤

[@candoentertainment9118]

Kurt Russell is a National Treasure

[@GrinderCB]

The added cutaway shot of Maggie's death was actually done in Carpenter's garage. They got Adrienne Barbeau into costume, painted some blood on her, got her into position on the garage floor partially under his car, and shot a few seconds of footage to establish her as being dead. Cool beans.

[@daverage4729]

One of my favourite ever films. His 'President of what?' line still makes me laugh, along with Donald Pleasance going crackers at the end as he riddles Isacc Hayes with bullets. "YOU'RE THE DUKE...A NUMBER OOOONNEEE!!!!!!"

[@permiek]

OMG one of my absolute favs of the 80s

[@damienkakoschke3099]

I had forgotten the theme song, so wonderful.

[@andrewhunt7328]

One of my favourite movies ever alongside the thing. John carpenter is amazing at making class movies on such a cheap budget.

[@CoinOpTV]

Such a classic flick!

[@robbiethepict2783]

When we first heard the Duke theme played in the cinema a few of us started stamping our feet, soon everyone joined in and the movie was stopped and we were given our first and last warning. Not many movies can do that to an audience.

[@TheBeird]

For my money, Escape from L.A. is the more fun movie. But this is superior all around. More consistent in tone, atmosphere pacing etc. I don't find it thrilling as an action movie, but quite engaging as a mood piece.

[@robwalsh9843]

I actually like the opening bank robbery scene, but it makes perfect sense to cut it out.

[@acidqueen69]

Auntie Beryl loves Snake.

[@carlrood4457]

Very solid supporting cast with guys like Borgnine, Pleasence, and Stanton who can really do nearly anything and a solid tough guy in Van Cleef. I like how Pleasence goes from frightened hostage to crazed revenge seeker and back to entitled douchebag who can't even be bothered to look the man who saved his life in the eye. You just know he represents the system that turned a war hero into a criminal. We didn't need Snake's full backstory, just a few highlights, because the setting and other characters told us exactly the sort of society that made him.

[@ashroskell]

Ooohhh! Stam Fine does John Carpenter! I’m in! Sometimes I feel like you’ve been scanning my brain while I sleep and going through the back catalogue of greatest hits of my youth! Which explain a lot about my dreams . . . (and those stains) . . . I didn’t know that about about Jamie Lee Curtis, which was fun to learn. What a cast, aye!? Thanks for this! ✌️👍

[@f.o.c.s.1028]

A very cool performance by Adrienne Bàrbeau as maggie. Culminating in maggie being eradicated by Isaac Hayes as "the duke". Leaving maggie dead with a very 🔥 corpse stare!!11:15

[@robvegas9354]

The old video rental stores were the best! This one ended up in the 5 movies for 5 dollars many times back in the 80's :)

[@robert0x00a]

Best movie ever.. And best opening music theme ever..

[@Mamotreco]

If you like the music, there’s an artist that took the name of Plisken’s military unit and made Carpenter inspired electronic music tracks: kzbin.info/www/bejne/epOQo4mHdr2VhJY

[@Forcemaster2000]

I saw this in the theater at the age of 17, it was so awesome and I still love it today!

[@normanmacfarlane6724]

I love this film Nuff said

[@bensneb360]

Escape from New York: the movie that gave us Metal Gear Solid, Robert Rodriguez, Hoss Delgado, and the coolest thing to happen to eyepatch‘s since pirates… not a bad legacy :)

[@hanniffydinn6019]

The remake Lockout is pretty fun! 🤯🤯🤯😎😎😎👍👍👍👍

[@AllanGildea]

Fab, thanks Stam!

[@ProjectCambrian]

Lol a Missed Opportunity...in the form of when introducing Issace Hayes as the voice of Chef...I wouldve used Chefs voice over the Duke clip "Hello Children!" .lol! Just a funny thought!

[@farnsworth9350]

Wish they would have made Escape from Clevland!

[@TheProfessor230]

I love your reviews, always so captivating, and love the humor you add to them, for your next review, i think you should do an MTM productions television show like the Bob Newhart show, the Mary Tyler Moore show or Newhart.

[@GrinderCB]

The girl at the beginning of this video, short blonde hair, with a cigarette, is credited as "Girl in Chock Full O Nuts" and was played by Season Hubley, Kurt Russell's wife at the time. She also played Priscilla Presley opposite Russell as Elvis in that Elvis Presley TV movie that Carpenter directed. Only other thing I saw her in was Hardcore, with George C. Scott, where she played a stripper/hooker who helps Scott find his runaway daughter who'd gone into the porn business.

[@fredkelly6953]

Snake Plisken? I thought he was dead. This was a b-movie which punched it's way onto the A-list of action movies with a quirky irreverence that other b-movie actioners never could. That line remains probably the most memorable thing in the movie.

[@MaximumRD]

Man I love this movie!

[@AquamentusLives]

Okay, I really should have seen that MGS reference coming 😅

[@indigosunset70]

this movie, blade runner and terminator, were the 3 movies that shaped the 80s look to films. dark. night setting. atmospheric n smokey. colorless. except for neon lights n colors. synth music. all 3 movies defined the 80s look of film.

[@OwenPhillipsMBA]

Great video of a great film! It' s a long time since I've seen the movie -time to re-watch. Tight action throughout, a really atmospheric movie . Snake's character (and voice) is very similar to the lead in Assault on Precinct 13. Just add the line "Got a smoke" and you've got a match!

[@Trilaan]

Love this movie, but I think Assault on Precinct 13 had better action.

[@carlrood4457]

Another early 80's favorite of mine is Used Cars. It's a bit of a raunchy comedy (again Russell trying to break from the child actor mold) that really highlight's Russell's innate charisma.

[@SteveSmith-wk9dx]

Road House is effectively "what if Snake Plisken, but he's a bouncer in Missouri?"

[@TheMrTraynor]

Brilliant film, but unfortunately I watched Big Trouble In Little China first so found it very difficult to take Snake seriously.

[@markeastwood74]

It must be over 30 years ago now, but Alex Cox' s Moviedrome introduced me to so many great films like this.

[@MH-sj9bg]

Your videos are amazing! I could listen to you talk about anything! Its in that perfect sweet spot of being both funny and informative. And so rewatchable! Like... I can watch your whole backlog of videos and immediately start all over again. Definitely my favourite channel on the whole of youtube. Thank you.

[@ohmightyzeus6135]

Ah, Donald Pleasence. I double-dare you to do Wake in Fright :)

[@stephenevans6070]

Absolutely love this, its a classic

[@razatlab100]

Another 2 years this will be the real New York.

[@martharunstheworld]

Great review of one of my favorite movies!!! And did ANYONE look better than Russell in an eyepatch??? And don't forget the drinking game... every time Snake's name in mentioned, take a drink!

[@itsphilfromtubesday8677]

Fingers crosseds for Escape from LA review next week :)

[@franksavage8031]

Mr. Fine, please do "They Live".

[@carlos-vp7df]

scenes were filmed on liberty island john carpenter interview john mentions it and talks about the statue of liberty on liberty' island start of the movie does also if any one interested the interview and start of the movie on youtube'

[@jeffnettleton3858]

Slag, played by pro wrestler Ox Baker (who started a riot in an arena, which can be found on youtube) was a little too method and Russell had to get his attention by hitting him in the goolies, to settle down.

[@waltergiles86]

Bodacious!!!😂

[@GrinderCB]

One problem with the premise. If the idea is to lock all the inmates in New York and have no escapes, then why are the bridges intact? Why mine them? All that does is create a goal for someone like Brain to map them so they can cross the bridge. Why not just destroy the bridge, thus preventing all escape attempts? The authorities could still enter in helicopters if necessary.

[@jw4499]

This is a great movie , and I can still watch it from time to time . I really enjoy your comments Ps .....it would great to see Chuck Norris in a reboot of Charles in Charge 😂😂

[@jasonblalock4429]

Yeah, definitely one of Carpenter's best films. (BTILC is still my fave, tho.) Such a shame about the sequel, tho. I really want to like it, and it's got some good ideas, but it just doesn't work for some reason. The terrible VFX certainly didn't help. (Although I did love the big final battle happening in Disneyland.)

[@AJPMUSIC_OFFICIAL]

No escape from New York, No Metal Gear. No Metal Gear, I'd never have learned to read. Owe this film a lot. Also why was New York so bad in the 70s?

[@Grumpy-Fallboy]

12:07 Red the Bum from back to the future 😄

[@iainb1577]

Despite "Snake" Plissken being an utterly charm free character with a punchability rating of 10/10 this is fab fun movie.

[@michaelproctor8100]

What do Kurt Russell, Harry Dean Stanton and Lee Van Cleef have in common? They were all on the television series Gunsmoke.

[@SUAVE_AMIGO-X]

Just curious will you cover Escape from La as well hope so?

[@StamFine]

probably.

[@SUAVE_AMIGO-X]

Awesome thanks for the helpful reply!

[@SciFiDreamer]

Chuck Norris does not watch Charles in Charge, Chuck Norris is in charge.

[@lindastone6868]

Based on a ZX81 computer game called Escape From Manhattan!

[@anjkovo2138]

It's a Bucket of popcorn & a Large coke type of film. If you know what i mean👍👍

[@Homeschoolsw6]

rad.

[@torchwood00]

Escape from Sliders

[@kumajin3621]

I think Troy Mcclure would have nailed Aquaman

[@RustyKeys72]

Brilliant. Can you dig it?

[@michaelstaunton1632]

👍👍👍🎥

[@SMDoktorPepper]

On a side note, New York was considered too clean to film in, so St Louis was the filming location, having been hit by an earthquake

[@seanhunt138]

Solar oposites draw heavily from escape from NY in the WALL saga

[@alanmoss3603]

And now you HAVE to do a video on Assault on Precinct 13! The good one - not the shite one!

[@LordTalax]

The only one else I could see pulling off Snake would be Bruce Willis. Kurt used that low raspy voice and I can imagine that coming out of Bruce as well.

[@donlarocque5157]

Before the accident I thought Jeremy Renner was a good fit for Snake.

[@gfdggdfgdgf]

At one point there was a videogame being made based on escape from new York. That one never released but the game based on the thing did release and is more or less a sequel to the movie.

[@Wrennsley]

Have you reviewed blackadder yet, its quite a funny show

[@MrPcgamer4ever]

Its awesome and very funny.

[@oobrocks]

A pretty low budget but everything is right on Especially it’s cast ❤🎉😊

[@Insanir]

Revolver Ocelot

[@kumajin3621]

"Your pretty good"

[@tskmaster3837]

You keep describing this as an "action" film. I always thought Escape from New York was really lethargic, with Snake not really caring if he completes the mission or not. It's why people keep asking if he was dead; "No, I'm just lifeless, I'm not life lifeless." This is my least favorite "favorite" Carpenter film, right up there with. With. With. No, I love the rest of the "popular" ones.

[@comentedonakeyboard]

I think the Taxi Driver got a life sentence for murder, or something like that🚕

[@neiltaylor6645]

In Johnny English the whole of the U.K. to be turned into a prison

[@s.n.a.k.e.plissken]

Good video, but the movie is a bit of an exaggeration... See, all that really happened was, I was in New York, I went out for a pack of smokes and a sixer, and I got stuck in line behind this slow old lady who was playing about two dozen lottery numbers- She took forever and a day. I thought I was *never* going to get out of there...

[@Honky-Tonk.SKREEONKadonk]

"snake eye" i SEE what you did there... ...just with no depth perception.

[@waltergiles86]

ALAN RICSTHON(sic), whatever, that's all I 'll say😮!!

[@deathlokprime2645]

I take it you kind of like this flick?

[@waltergiles86]

I liked π😂!

[@organicketchup5171]

I might need to give this another go. I don't find "Snake Plisken" cool and I don't think the music is very impressive (it almost gets there, then wanders off). It's full of military, tough guy and NYC stereotypes that were tired even when it came out. This is how I remember it at least and hope to feel differently after watching it again.

[@andrewblanchard2398]

12:53 to 13:08 😂

[@UglySouth]

Hello, I’m from 2089 and I’ve seen the remake. It’s terrible.

[@comentedonakeyboard]

Oh right they will have tried a reality show with banksters, politicians and late night comedians in some generic run down inner city. Yes it will have been a bit of a fab for a while, before fading away.

[@BellsCuriosityShop]

I acted all Pliskin for a weekend but nobody bought it. So I remained an arsehole.

[@paganarh]

Escape from NY is as great as its sequel is horrible

[@keithbrown8490]

Thanks to the real New York Politian's of today the nightmare hellhole has come true and not even Snake could escape from what it has turned into !!

[@Boogenhagen100]

Adrienne barbeaus boobs were absolutely glorious in this flick. Every escape from film after this was garbage, you can’t mention Fresno Bob and then provide no backstory or prequel to EFNY. we’re waiting.