ST. LOUIS – One of the biggest film productions ever to put St. Louis on the cinematic map was 1980s cult classic “Escape From New York,” which ventured through Gateway City landmarks and neighborhoods to present a dystopian future where society and order have collapsed.
“Escape From New York” imagines New York’s Manhattan District as a massive, walled-off maximum-security prison. Chaos ensues when Air Force One is hijacked and crashes in Manhattan. Then, a group of violent inmates takes the president hostage, throwing the nation into crisis.
Newly-convicted felon Snake Plissken, a former Special Forces soldier turned criminal, is recruited to rescue the president within 24 hours in exchange for a full pardon. As he navigates a lawless underworld, Snake battles brutal gangs, treacherous traps and shaky alliances in a desperate race against time.
The film, directed by acclaimed sci-fi filmmaker John Carpenter, stars Kurt Russell as Snake and Donald Pleasence as the president. Though it is filmed in several states, St. Louis plays a major role in bringing the film’s crumbling, post-apocalyptic cityscape to life.
IMDb, an online database for movie productions, lists at least seven St. Louis locations used in “Escape From New York,” though it’s likely more exist that weren’t officially documented.
On Saturday, FOX 2 revisited some of the film’s iconic locations to see how they look today.
Chain of Rocks Bridge
The Chain of Rocks Bridge, which links North St. Louis to Illinois in real life, stands in for the fictional “69th Street Bridge” in New York. It’s the setting for one of the film’s most pivotal scenes, where Snake makes a desperate bid to escape the prison island with the president following closeby.
Ultimately, the Chain of Rocks Bridge gained more notoriety in the 1980s when it was used as a backdrop for a dramatic climax scene that helped elevate the film’s tension.
On a mild spring afternoon, visitors can be seen walking the historic span, once part of the iconic Route 66. It’s now adorned with plaques and tributes to honor its past.
Union Station
Union Station is used to represent New York’s Madison Square Garden, staging a brutal gladiator fight that underscores lawlessness and shows Snake’s resilience.
This weekend, the St. Louis landmark hosted Frozen Four festivities as St. Louis welcomed the annual college hockey tournament with a celebration of sport, not survival. Union Station has enjoyed a boost in tourism over the past decade, thanks in part to major renovations and new attractions.
Civil Courts building
Also in Downtown St. Louis, the Civil Courts building serves as a notable hideout location that adds to the film’s gritty urban landscape.
The Civil Courts building, a nearly 100-year-old structure, is a real-life courthouse that remains an iconic piece of St. Louis architecture, known for its pyramid-shaped roof.
Fabulous Fox Theatre
The Fox Theatre sets the stage in “Escape From New York” for a scene during which Snake searches for clues and navigates eerie remnants.
In real life, the Fox Theatre is quite vibrant, a major spot of the Grand Center Art District in St. Louis’ Midtown neighborhood. It hosts Broadway shows, concerts and other fine arts events.
Locust Street and 21st Street
This urban intersection served as the backdrop for one of the film’s most pressing moments: The dramatic airplane crash, the first domino in a series of chaotic events that leads to the president’s capture and the ensuing crisis on the island.
Surrounding Locust Street and 21st Street are the Schlafly Tap Room, a parking lot and a goods production building. It is also a very short walk from St. Louis CITY SC’s home venue, Energizer Park.
St. Charles Street and 17th/18th Streets
A site of mostly alleyways, several pivotal moments in “Escape From New York” unfold here. A helicopter landing, Snake seeking refuge in a bar, and a tense encounter with villains are among the film’s major events that transpire along St. Charles Street.
In the present day, around the St. Charles Street intersections with 17th and 18th streets, the area includes GLO Studios, an apartment complex and a parking lot off of nearby Washington Avenue. There also appears to be some ongoing construction work.
New Masonic Temple
In a relatively small role in the film, the New Masonic Temple provides exterior shots that represent the New York Public Library.
The temple was once a hub for St. Louis’ Masonic community, known for its elegant marble architecture. In recent years, there has been a push to revive the building as an apartment complex.
How To Watch
“Escape From New York” is available on many digital streaming platforms, including Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, Fandango at Home, Google Play Movies and YouTube TV. There’s a chance you may be able to catch it on the Roku Channel or with a fuboTV subscription as well.