A condemned criminal and former war hero is offered his freedom if he can rescue the President of the United States from the walled prison island of Manhattan after a terrorist brings down the President's plane in this futuristic adventure.

The studio wanted Tommy Lee Jones for the role of Snake Plissken. They didn't think Kurt Russell was right for the role because of his prior work.

Bob Hauk:
You go in, find the President, bring him out in 24 hours, and you're a free man.


Snake Plissken:
24 hours, huh?


Bob Hauk:
I'm making you an offer.


Snake Plissken:
Bullshit.


Bob Hauk:
Straight just like I said.


Snake Plissken:
I'll think about it.


Bob Hauk:
No time. Give me an answer.


Snake Plissken:
Get a new president.


Bob Hauk:
We're still at war, Plissken. We need him alive.


Snake Plissken:
I don't give a fuck about your war... or your president.


Bob Hauk:
Is that your answer?


Snake Plissken:
I'm thinking about it.


Bob Hauk:
Think hard.


Snake Plissken:
[pause] Why me?


Bob Hauk:
You flew the Gullfire over Leningrad. You know how to get in quiet. You're all I got.


Snake Plissken:
[pause] I guess I go in one way or the other... doesn't mean shit to me. Give me the paper.


Bob Hauk:
When you come out.


Snake Plissken:
Before.


Bob Hauk:
I told you I wasn't a fool, Plissken.


Snake Plissken:
Call me Snake.

Miscellaneous: Italian subtitles mistranslate "fission" as "fixation".

Music by Charles Albertine
Courtesy of Cherio Corporation