Escape from New York (1981)
S.D. Bob "Snake" Plissken is the protagonist of
the films Escape from New York and Escape from L.A. He is portrayed by Kurt
Russell and created by director John Carpenter and screenwriter Nick Castle. An
anti-hero, he is a former Special Forces operator/war hero in World War III
turned criminal. The movies follow his apprehension by the United States Police
Force and subsequent conscription to extract top-secret material from New York
City and Los Angeles — which have, in this dystopian setting, been entirely
converted into maximum-security prisons.
Fictional biography
Background
Snake Plissken is a former U.S. Army Lieutenant, serving under Special Forces Unit "Black Light" stated by Hauk in Escape from New York, with two Purple Hearts, and the youngest man to be decorated by the U.S. President for bravery during campaigns in Leningrad and Siberia in World War III against the Former Soviet Alliances and Eurasian United War Union.
Sometime later, he turned to a life of crime due to the perceived betrayal of the United States government during the "Leningrad Ruse" (when he lost the use of his left eye) and when his parents were burned alive in their home by the United States Police Force—events described in the Escape from New York novelization by Mike McQuay. He travelled with his war buddy and only friend, Bill Taylor. Snake took up with partners Harold Hellman (later known as "Brain") and Fresno Bob. In Kansas City around 1993, Hellman apparently let Plissken and Fresno Bob get cornered by police, at which time Fresno Bob was brutally tortured and killed by sadistic law enforcers within the United States Police Force.
As a result of the Kansas City incident, it was widely believed in the criminal community that Plissken was dead. This is a running gag in Escape from New York: "I heard you were dead" (homage to the John Wayne film Big Jake). In Escape from L.A., the recurring joke is changed to "I thought you'd be taller."
Plissken has a tattoo of a cobra on his abdomen. He is skilled in martial arts due to his military training.
Personality
Snake is shown as being very cynical, most likely due to the hypocrisy of the U.S. government, and appears to be willing to do anything to survive. He is often stated by others to be somewhat of a misanthropist. He is terse, stern in his speech, of few words, and holds nothing sacred or even important. He does however hold a loose code of honour.
He frequently shows coolness and level-headed thinking under extremely stressful situations. Although he will kill without remorse or hesitation, he does not kill for fun or when it is unnecessary. He is also known for his quick wit and gallows humour.
Fictional biography
Background
Snake Plissken is a former U.S. Army Lieutenant, serving under Special Forces Unit "Black Light" stated by Hauk in Escape from New York, with two Purple Hearts, and the youngest man to be decorated by the U.S. President for bravery during campaigns in Leningrad and Siberia in World War III against the Former Soviet Alliances and Eurasian United War Union.
Sometime later, he turned to a life of crime due to the perceived betrayal of the United States government during the "Leningrad Ruse" (when he lost the use of his left eye) and when his parents were burned alive in their home by the United States Police Force—events described in the Escape from New York novelization by Mike McQuay. He travelled with his war buddy and only friend, Bill Taylor. Snake took up with partners Harold Hellman (later known as "Brain") and Fresno Bob. In Kansas City around 1993, Hellman apparently let Plissken and Fresno Bob get cornered by police, at which time Fresno Bob was brutally tortured and killed by sadistic law enforcers within the United States Police Force.
As a result of the Kansas City incident, it was widely believed in the criminal community that Plissken was dead. This is a running gag in Escape from New York: "I heard you were dead" (homage to the John Wayne film Big Jake). In Escape from L.A., the recurring joke is changed to "I thought you'd be taller."
Plissken has a tattoo of a cobra on his abdomen. He is skilled in martial arts due to his military training.
Personality
Snake is shown as being very cynical, most likely due to the hypocrisy of the U.S. government, and appears to be willing to do anything to survive. He is often stated by others to be somewhat of a misanthropist. He is terse, stern in his speech, of few words, and holds nothing sacred or even important. He does however hold a loose code of honour.
He frequently shows coolness and level-headed thinking under extremely stressful situations. Although he will kill without remorse or hesitation, he does not kill for fun or when it is unnecessary. He is also known for his quick wit and gallows humour.
Bob Hauk: I'm not a fool, Plissken!
Snake Plissken: Call me "Snake."
_ _ _
Bob Hauk: There was an accident. About an hour ago, a small jet went down inside New York City. The President was on board.
Snake Plissken: The president of what?
_ _ _
Hauk: Plissken? Plissken, what are you doing?
Snake Plissken: Playing with myself! I'm going in.
_ _ _
Bob Hauk: No more Hartford Summit. And no more Snake Plissken.
Snake Plissken: When I get back, I'm going to kill you.
_ _ _
Girl in "Chock Full O'Nuts": You're a cop!
Snake Plissken: I'm an asshole...
Snake Plissken: I'm an asshole...
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