This film is set in a not too distant future, the island on Manhattan has been turned into a maximum security prison. There are no guards inside but nobody is allowed to leave. Then one day Air Force One is hijacked; the president ejects in an escape pod which land in the middle of New York. He is captured by people who threaten to kill him if security forces enter the city. There is a matter of urgency as he is carrying a tape which is essential for peace talks taking place in twenty four hours. Snake Plissken, a former special forces hero who has been convicted of various crimes is given an opportunity; get the President out in time or be killed by an explosive device installed in his neck. He flies into the city and makes some allies who inform him that the President is being held by a man known as The Duke who appears to rule the prison-city... getting to him and rescuing him within the lime limit won't be easy.
I really enjoyed this film; it may be rather cheesy at times but it is still a classic. It provides plenty of excitement and unforced humour. Snake Plissken is a fine protagonist and Kurt Russell does a fine job in the role. There is solid support from Ernest Borgnine, as Cabbie; Adrienne Barbeau, as Maggie; and Harry Dean Stanton, as Brain; two people who help Snake. Isaac Hayes is fun as The Duke; a delightfully over the top character who drives a car complete with chandeliers and a disco ball! Donald Pleasence adds a touch of class as the president and Lee Van Cleef is fun as police chief Hauk. Despite being made in 1981 and being set in 1997 the story still feels relevant with terrorists and a discontent with politics. Overall I'd definitely recommend this to fans of eighties action.
I really enjoyed this film; it may be rather cheesy at times but it is still a classic. It provides plenty of excitement and unforced humour. Snake Plissken is a fine protagonist and Kurt Russell does a fine job in the role. There is solid support from Ernest Borgnine, as Cabbie; Adrienne Barbeau, as Maggie; and Harry Dean Stanton, as Brain; two people who help Snake. Isaac Hayes is fun as The Duke; a delightfully over the top character who drives a car complete with chandeliers and a disco ball! Donald Pleasence adds a touch of class as the president and Lee Van Cleef is fun as police chief Hauk. Despite being made in 1981 and being set in 1997 the story still feels relevant with terrorists and a discontent with politics. Overall I'd definitely recommend this to fans of eighties action.