Scream Factory Details Escape From New York on Blu

In the middle of what’s maybe John Carpenter’s most celebrated moment, collector’s label Scream Factory is gearing up to release their fifth of the director’s titles: perennial fave, Escape from New York. 

Following Assault on Precinct 13, The Fog, Prince of Darkness and They Live, Escape From New York will hit Blu-ray in a two-disc Collector’s Edition this April, carrying over essential special features and boasting six new supplements in the process.

Featuring what’s arguably Kurt Russell’s most iconic role, Carpenter’s now retro-futuristic actioner is maybe one of the coolest movies of all time, from its soundtrack to its setup to its unreal cast (Russell, Pleasence, Hayes, Barbeau, Stanton, Borgnine, Cleef). The film is both amazing itself and has surely sparked memorable interactions in your lives, as well as mine (like the guy who told me, as a criticism, EFNY “wasn’t very realistic.” I remain baffled.)

“In a world ravaged by crime, the entire island of Manhattan has been converted into a walled prison where brutal prisoners roam. But when the US president (Donald Pleasence) crash-lands inside, only one man can bring him back: notorious outlaw and former Special Forces war hero Snake Plissken (Kurt Russell). But time is short. In 24 hours, an explosive device implanted in his neck will end Snake’s mission – and his life – unless he succeeds!”

Find the feature rundown, below. In New York, BAM’s Carpenter retrospective “Master of Fear” is still raging. They Live happens tonight and what do you know, Escape From New York is tomorrow. 

DISC ONE:

• NEW 2K High Definition scan of the inter-positive, struck from the original negative

• NEW Audio Commentary with actress Adrienne Barbeau and directory of photography Dean Cundey

• Audio Commentary with director John Carpenter and actor Kurt Russell

• Audio Commentary by producer Debra Hill and production designer Joe Alves

DISC TWO:

• NEW Big Challenges in Little Manhattan: The Visual Effects of ESCAPE FROM NEW YORK

• NEW Scoring the Escape: A Discussion with composer Alan Howarth

• NEW On Set with John Carpenter: The Images of ESCAPE FROM NEW YORK with photographer Kim Gottlieb-Walker

• NEW I Am Taylor: an interview with actor Joe Unger

• NEW My Night on the Set: an interview with filmmaker David DeCoteau

• Deleted Scene: The Original Opening Bank Robbery Sequence

• Return to Escape from New York Featurette

• Theatrical Trailers

• Photo Galleries – Behind-the-Scenes, Posters and Lobby Cards