Escape from New York (1981)
In a world ravaged by crime, the entire island of Manhattan has been converted into a walled prison where brutal prisoners roam free. After the US president crash-lands inside, war hero Snake Plissken has 24 hours to bring him back.
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Added by Hextor · 6 months ago
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🎙️ SYSK Episodes
#022526
Short Stuff: MacGuffins
"My favorite McGuffin, I think, is probably from Escape from New York. Oh, yeah. The cassette tape."
— Josh
Cited as a favorite example of a MacGuffin—a presidential speech on cassette tape that is never heard.
Feb 25, 2026
#102325
THE HUMAN SCREAM
"Maybe it was escaped from New York."
— Josh
Speculating where Isaac Hayes might have appeared in a wicker throne.
Oct 23, 2025
#082824
Short Stuff: Skid Row (not the band)
"It's basically like Escape from New York down there."
— Chuck
Chuck compares the containment strategy of Skid Row to the movie's concept of a confined area.
Aug 28, 2024
#100119
Guardian Angels: Behind the Red Beret
"I was thinking about the movie crush episode on Escape from New York."
— Josh
Movie referenced as feeding into hysteria about New York crime in the 1970s.
Oct 1, 2019
#042315
Oh No, Snakes!
"That was my first R rated movie. It was Escape from New York."
— Josh
Josh was sharing a personal memory about watching his first R-rated movie while discussing Kurt Russell's character Snake Plissken.
Apr 23, 2015
#111511
How Alcatraz Works
"I kind of like the Escape from New York plan"
— Chuck
Chuck references this dystopian film when discussing alternative prison models, comparing it to a Norwegian island prison.
Nov 15, 2011
Cast
Kurt Russell
Snake Plissken
Lee Van Cleef
Police Commissioner Bob Hauk
Ernest Borgnine
Cabbie
Donald Pleasence
President of the United States
Isaac Hayes
The Duke of New York
Season Hubley
Girl in Chock Full O'Nuts
Harry Dean Stanton
Harold 'Brain' Helman
Adrienne Barbeau
Maggie
Tom Atkins
Rehme
Charles Cyphers
Secretary of State
Frank Doubleday
Romero
J
John Strobel
Cronenberg
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