In the not-too-distant future, New York City has descended into chaos. Violence and anarchy reign in the streets, as all of Manhattan has been transformed into a gigantic high-security prison. While the world stands on the brink of nuclear war, the U.S. President’s (Donald Pleasence) plane is brought down over the city. In possession of documents that could change the world, the president falls into the hands of ruthless hostage-takers. From the command center atop the Statue of Liberty, Police Commissioner Bob Hauk (Lee Van Cleef) coordinates a nearly hopeless rescue mission. His only hope is the recently convicted ex-soldier Snake Plissken (Kurt Russell). To regain his freedom, he is tasked with rescuing the U.S. President and thus the entire world, but there’s a catch… “the rattlesnake” has only 24 hours. A race against time begins, and with it, an uncompromising fight for survival.