Kurt Russell stars in this 1980s sci-fi action feature directed by John Carpenter. In 1997, Manhattan has been turned into a maximum security prison following a massive rise in crime. While on his way to a summit to prevent a global nuclear war, the President of the United States (Donald Pleasence) crash-lands on the island after his plane is hijacked by terrorists.

When it is discovered he has been kidnapped by the Duke (Isaac Hayes), the top crime boss in Manhattan, eye-patched anti-hero Snake Plissken (Russell) is sent in to rescue his country's leader and save his own life in the process.