Classic Movies on Sky Arts - Series 4 Episode 6 - The Story of Escape from New York

 

Ian Nathan introduces this episode, the last of series 6. Escape from New York was made in 1980 and 1981. In this dystopian future, the island of Manhattan is now a maximum security prison surrounded by a giant wall. Christina Newsome says "it's one of the key action/sci fi films of the eighties. Neil Norman adds that it is "a film built to last" and that it does stand repeat viewings. Stephen Armstrong thinks "it redefines science fiction". Kurt Russell is the star who is tasked with getting the president out after a plane he is in develops a fault. 

We hear a lot about the writer and director John Carpenter. Christina says he is a true independent film maker. The films he has made are repeated throughout. She adds it has the structure of an old school western. Ian Nathan explains how, on a limited budget, it was almost all shot at night. Neil Norman tells us how the film has a political edge, and Ian Nathan takes us through the great cast.

Apparently, the script was originally written by Carpenter at film school in 1974, although it was not made until the beginning of the eighties. The script lay dormant for years, the studios were too nervous to back it. However he found funding through Joseph E Levine's independent Avco Embassy Pictures. With long time producer Debra Hill, they created miracles on a small budget. We hear about Debra, how much she was involved in all Carpenter's films especially as co-writer. She was especially good at supporting strong female characters in big roles. 

Christina goes on to tell us about the joint history of Carpenter and Kurt Russell and the latter's background in film. Here he plays Snake Plissen, basically a hero who became a criminal. Then on to that great supporting cast that included musician Isaac Hayes as the self appointed Duke of New York. Donald Pleasance plays the President, again against type as was Lee Van Cleef as the police chief. We hear about the location as New York itself was too expensive and too smart. Hunting for a run down setting, the location manager found East St Louis that had a lot of empty buildings after a major fire. They were able to turn off ten blocks of electricity to shoot in the dark. Dressed to look like urban New York. The special effects team (that included one James Cameron) had a lot to do.

Neil Norman tells us about the plot and the "ticking clock". Also that the script has a "wider view" of their world in a subtle way. But it is enormous fun.

Stephen Armstrong mentions "the crazies" being a real threat. And later how much was Carpenter in the make up of Snake.

Christina talks about Carpenter and his "strong political views". She thinks that there is "still hope for this place" despite everything that is going on there. 

Ian Nathan describes "the breakdown of civilisation" and how the film is "genre based storytelling" on a limited budget that made a huge profit at the box office. He ends with the movie being "one of the most influential sci fi films ever made".