Escape from New York

Escape from New York Theatrical Release Poster Country USA Directed by John Carpenter Release Date 1981 Language English Studio AVCO Embassy Pictures Distributor AVCO Embassy Pictures Main Cast Character Actor Snake Plissken Kurt Russell bob Hauk Lee Van Cleef Cabbie Ernest Borgnine Maggie Adrienne Barbeau Duke of New York Isaac Hayes President of the United States Donald Pleasence Harold "Brain" Hellman Harry Dean Stanton

Escape from New York is a 1981 dystopian action film co-written, co-scored, and directed by John Carpenter. Set in the then future year of 1997, the film stars Kurt Russell as Snake Plissken, a former soldier and hardened convict who is tasked by the US government to rescue the President of the United States (Donald Pleasence), who has crash landed onto the island of Manhattan, now sealed off to become the world's largest prison. Russell would return as Plissken in Escape from L.A., the 1996 sequel.

In March 2017, it was announced that Robert Rodriguez would direct a remake of the film with Carpenter producing it. In February 2019, it was reported that Leigh Whannell will be writing the script after Luther creator Neil Cross completed a recent iteration of the project.

The following weapons were used in the film Escape from New York:

WARNING! THIS PAGE CONTAINS SPOILERS!

Submachine Guns

MAC-10

The main weapon the USPF issues to Snake Plissken (Kurt Russell) is a MAC-10 fitted with a rifle scope that is mounted onto a sound suppressor. After Snake is captured, the Duke of New York (Isaac Hayes) uses it for the remainder of the film, notably taunting the President with it in front of his gang. The sound effects heard when fired are not silenced shots.

Ingram MAC-10 submachine gun with Sionics Two-Stage Sound Suppressor - .45 ACP

A closeup of Snake's MAC-10 as the weapons issued are displayed. Note the 3 spare mags, scope, suppressor and holster.

Snake Plissken (Kurt Russell) holds his MAC-10 on Cabbie (Ernest Borgnine).

Snake fire his MAC-10 at one of the crazies.

Snake holds his MAC-10 on Brain (Harry Dean Stanton).

The Duke fires the MAC-10 at the President's briefcase chained to his hand.

Good shot of the MAC-10 held by The Duke (Isaac Hayes).

Revolvers

Smith & Wesson Model 67

Snake's sidearm in the film is a Smith & Wesson Model 67 with a scope mounted on it. During the climax, Maggie (Adrienne Barbeau) fires it at the Duke before she is run down by him. You can tell it's a Model 67 because it has adjustable sights but lacks the shrouded lug that protects the ejector rod like on the Smith & Wesson Model 66. Therefore it's a 38 Special revolver and not a .357 Magnum. If it was a Smith & Wesson Model 64 or a Smith & Wesson Model 65 it would not have adjustable sights. The Model 67 can also be differentiated from the Model 65 due to the slightly shorter (.38 Special only) cylinder. The Model 67 is the stainless steel counterpart of the Smith & Wesson Model 15 Combat Masterpiece.

Smith & Wesson Model 67 - .38 Special

Smith & Wesson Model 66 with 4" barrel - .357 Magnum (Shown for comparison)

Smith & Wesson Model 65 - .357 Magnum (Also shown for comparison)

The camera pans on the Smith & Wesson Model 67 fitted with a scope. Note the two speed loaders.

Maggie (Adrienne Barbeau) fires the Smith & Wesson Model 67 at Duke's thugs.

Snake holds his Smith & Wesson Model 67 on Brain and Maggie for the map of the bridge.

Good shot of the Smith & Wesson Model 67.

Maggie fires the Smith & Wesson Model 67 at the Duke.

Smith & Wesson Model 10 Snubnose

Bob Hauk (Lee Van Cleef) is seen checking a nickel-plated Smith & Wesson Model 10 snubnose before his meeting with Snake.

Early Smith and Wesson Model 10 Snub - .38 Special

Bob Hauk does a round check.

Bob Hauk with his Smith & Wesson Model 10 Snub.

Rifles

M16/SP1

The U.S. Police Force Soldiers throughout the film and U.S.S.S. Agents in the Air Force One hijack scene use slab side M16/AR-15 SP1 rifles with their hand guards removed and replaced with a slender plastic sleeve that wraps around the barrel and gas tube, in order to make them look more "futuristic". Some of the rifles have three-prong flash hiders, and others have the M16A1-style 'birdcage' flash hider. Near the conclusion of the film, the President (Donald Pleasence) in a freak rage is seen using one taken from a dead U.S.P.F. guard to kill the Duke of New York (Isaac Hayes).

M16/AR-15 SP1 slab side rifle with 3 prong flash hider - 5.56x45mm

M16 aka SP1 (flat slab side receiver) with an A1 Birdcage flash hider - 5.56x45mm

Soldiers armed with M16/SP1's escorting Snake in for processing. These guards' weapons have the three prong flash hider of the SP1.

Steven Ford (former U.S. President Gerald Ford's son) plays a Secret Service agent. His M16 appears to have an A1 flash hider.

A U.S. Police Force member guards the New York perimeter with an M16.

The U.S. Police Force hold their M16's on Romero (Frank Doubleday), but are forced to pull back.

The President with an M16 taken from a dead guard.

The President fires an M16 at the Duke.

Other

Flintlock Guns

Various flintlock long guns and pistols are displayed in the office.

Various flintlocks seen displayed on the wall in the background.

Various Crossbows

Various Crossbows are seen wielded by numerous thugs.

A thug shoots his crossbow, which hits Snake's leg.

Duke's thugs hold their crossbow's on Snake.