New York State native John Carpenter, the ambitious and resourceful filmmaker behind landmark low budget films like Dark Star (1974), Assault on Precinct 13 (1976) and Halloween (1978) figured the end of the millennium was a realistic date for this fantastical tour through a futuristic NYC in which the entire city has been converted into a maximum security prison.
Kurt Russell Plays Reluctant Crimefighter
Sullen war vet turned bank robber Snake Plissken (Kurt Russell) is forced to battle bodacious babes (like the one played by Adrienne Barbeau) and bad guys (like the African-American drug kingpin played by singer/songwriter/actor Isaac Hayes) when the plane carrying the U.S. president (Donald Pleasance) crash lands in Manhattan and our hard-boiled anti-hero is forced by circumstances to rescue the chief executive from a gang of terrorists.
Rippling with rousing action sequences, dark humor and vintage special effects, this imaginative little B pic is still great cheezy fun.
The novel premise, bleak futuristic vision and grungy production design have influenced scores of big and low budget sci-fi flicks, action movies and rock music videos over the years.
Special Edition DVD Has Cool Extras
The "Director's Special Edition" DVD contains a digitally remastered print of the film.
The extra features include never-before-seen footage of a ten minute opening sequence edited out of the original 1981 theatrical release.
There is also an interview with the filmmaker. In addition to directing, Carpenter also co-wrote the script (with Nick Castle) and composed the score (with Allan Howarth).
Among other things we learn that those scenes of a ravaged New York City were actually shot in a burned-out section of St. Louis, Missouri. (There is only one real NYC shot in the entire film and that is a shot of the Statue of Liberty at night.)
The director also talks about his struggle to cast Russell in the leading role. Apparently, studio executives didn't think the former Disney star could convincingly play a tough guy. They were wrong.
Sporting biker leather, an eye patch and plenty of attitude, Russell scowls his way into B movie history as Snake Plissken.
Veteran character actor Ernest Borgnine plays Snake's cabdriver ally.
The film also includes B movie stalwarts like spaghetti western vet Lee van Cleef and the great Harry Dean Stanton and a small role featuring Russell's former girlfriend, actress Season Hubley.
Look closely at the closing credits and you will see a Jim Cameron listed along with a gang of people under the heading 'visual effects'. Yes, that's the same James Cameron who went on to write and direct Avatar and Titanic.
Richard Goertz - Richard Goertz has a Bachelor of Arts degree majoring in English and History acquired light years ago (when his hair was longer) and have ...
