Escape From New York: 8 Best Snake Plissken Quotes

This article covers the best Snake Plissken quotes from the 1981 movie Escape From New York.

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Director John Carpenter’s Escape From New York (1981) is a science-fiction/action-adventure hybrid with lots of bite. Merging classic ’80s humor and horror with an alarmingly realistic dystopian future, Escape From New York is also a testament to humanity’s worst instincts. In the now cult classic film, the entirety of Manhattan is a federal penitentiary filled with the most dangerous criminals in America. Former Special Forces operative and decorated war veteran Snake Plissken must infiltrate — and then escape — this seemingly infinite holding cell. And he has to do so while finding, serving, and protecting the President of the United States.

Snake Plissken is, at the time of his mission, serving life in maximum security for grand theft. If he can accomplish his task within 24 hours, the U.S. government promises to pardon him. If not, they’ll detonate the micro-explosives they’ve injected into Snake’s bloodstream. Snake’s lousy attitude and sardonic approach to authority keep him way on his handlers’ bad side. But viewers cannot get enough of his snarky remarks, low-effort insults, and occasional optimism. Below, let’s look at Snake’s eight best quotes in Escape From New York. Did your favorite make our list?

• “Call me Snake.”
• “Oh, you mean I can’t count on you? Good.”
• “Not now, I’m too tired. Maybe later.”
• “I don’t give a f*ck about your war.”
• “Yeah. You and everybody else.”
• “Where’s the President?”
• “It’ll work out.”
• “The name’s Plissken.”

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“Call me Snake.”

What’s in a name? As venomous and slippery as the moniker “Snake” suggests, Plissken seems to prefer that others address him by his first name. During this interaction, he corrects Bob Hauk after the Commissioner calls Snake by his surname. Yet it’s unclear if that’s just to aggravate the Commissioner or not. As stoic and secretive as Snake is, either explanation is feasible.

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“Oh, you mean I can’t count on you? Good!”

Snake is extremely self-sufficient. And self-confident. But that cockiness is clearly well-earned, as we find out through the course of the film. Our hero’s quick thinking, fast reactions, and fighting skills are as impressive as he claims. So when his allies turn out to be useless, Snake isn’t surprised. He just reacts with his typical barbed tongue and gets on with his mission.

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“You going to kill me, Snake?” — Bob Hauk

“Not now, I’m too tired. Maybe later.” — Snake

Escape From New York puts Snake through hell and back — almost literally. Few people, even those who claim to be on his side, help or thank him. So, by the end of the movie, Snake’s exhausted and even more disillusioned in his failing government. Full of hate, but devoid of energy, he leaves Bob Hauk with a threat. Maybe he’ll collect on it after a good night’s sleep.

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“I don’t give a f*ck about your war.”

Of course, Snake isn’t loyal to the USA anymore. He’s looking out for his #1 — himself. When the Feds attempt to enlist Snake to their cause, he’s straightforward as he can be. He doesn’t care about their conflict with the USSR and China, and certainly doesn’t support the current president. In fact, he’s openly disgusted by the man. Well, so much for that patriotic angle, Commissioner!

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“I thought you were dead.” — Brian

“Yeah. You and everybody else.” — Snake

Brian is Snake’s former associate, as well as an ally of sorts on an island laden with enemies. This character also gives us crucial insight into Snake’s past, of which the audience knows very little. Based on this interaction, we understand that Snake went totally off-grid, kind of by his own choice, plus the government’s. When the U.S. is willing to disappear its heroes, what else are they willing to do?

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“Where’s the president?”

Dumped unceremoniously onto Manhattan Island, Snake has to ferret out the president all on his own. That means Snake spends a good portion of Escape From New York asking where the president is. Or threatening, hitting, and scaring people to get answers. Fortunately, Snake does eventually find the guy. But it takes a lot of effort and energy to get there, two things Snake lacks even on a good day.

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“It’ll work out.”

The odds are not in Snake’s favor. Despite all the obstacles, however, Snake makes it through the film relatively unscathed. This is largely due to his awesome skillset. But Snake also displays an unwavering ego and surprising optimism. Perhaps it’s a disregard for his own life, or a willingness to believe things will go his way, since they usually do. Still, even when forced to use a faulty glider and broken equipment, Snake knows he can emerge victorious. After all, what other choice does he have?

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“The name’s Plissken.”

Everyone loves a full circle moment. At the exact moment Bob Hauk expresses some latent friendship with Snake, Snake wrangles him in. They’re not a team, nor are they friends. The easiest shorthand for that is obviously making Bob call him Plissken instead of Snake.

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