Escape From New York (1981)

This is an original U.S. One Sheet poster for Escape from New York, issued by the National Screen Service in 1981. Featuring the unforgettable image of the decapitated Statue of Liberty’s head in the street, a scene never shown in the film but now iconic, this poster captures the gritty, dystopian mood of John Carpenter’s cult sci-fi masterpiece. With bold, stylized artwork and striking typography, it’s one of the most memorable posters of early ’80s genre cinema.

This NSS style one sheet is highly collectible, particularly in excellent condition, and a must-have for fans of the film, the genre, or Carpenter’s legendary oeuvre.

Escape from New York reflected deep anxieties about crime, urban decay, and government overreach in a post-Watergate America. Set in the then-futuristic world of 1997, the film imagines Manhattan as a maximum-security prison, a dystopian vision that resonated with audiences at a time when New York City was known more for danger than glamour.

Directed by John Carpenter and starring Kurt Russell in his career-defining role as Snake Plissken, the film became a benchmark of the dystopian sci-fi genre. Plissken’s antihero image—with his eyepatch, laconic growl, and total mistrust of authority, became a countercultural icon, inspiring countless characters in film, video games, and comics.

Escape from New York helped cement Carpenter’s status as a master of genre filmmaking, combining social commentary with action, dark humour, and a haunting synth score. Its influence echoes through films like The Matrix, Blade Runner 2049, and Children of Men, as well as games like Metal Gear Solid.

• Year: 1981
• Nationality: United States
• Condition: Folded-As-Issued
• Type: Original US One Sheet
• Size: 27 X 41 Inches
• Product Code: T5992