Escape from New York: The Untold Story of John Carpenter’s Dystopian Masterpiece In 1981, John Carpenter unleashed Escape from New York —a gritty, neon-lit vision of a future America where crime reigns and the island of Manhattan becomes a maximum-security prison. Equal parts sci-fi, noir, and pulse-pounding action thriller, the film didn’t just redefine the genre; it became a cultural touchstone for rebellion, urban decay, and survival against the odds. This definitive biography delves deep into the making of the film, from its scrappy low-budget origins and Bruce Campbell’s near-casting to Kurt Russell’s iconic Snake Plissken and the film’s innovative visual style. Explore the tense production battles, the creative genius behind the dystopian world-building, and the socio-political undercurrents that made the story resonate then—and still do today. Packed with never-before-seen insights, interviews, and fresh analysis, Call Me Snake is an essential read for fans of Carpenter, cult cinema, and anyone fascinated by the dark heart of American pop culture. Are you ready to step inside the prison walls? The countdown has begun.