Movie: Escape From New York, 1981.

Plot: The crime rate in the U.S. has risen drastically over the years. In order to contain the crime threat, a giant wall is built around the entire island of Manhattan converting it into a giant maximum security prison where criminals can roam free in the living hell they brought upon themselves. Once you enter, you can never leave. On one night, Air Force One is hijacked; and crash lands into New York. The President (Donald Pleasence) survives the crash, but is soon kidnapped by one of the gangs on the island. The U.S. government then turns to a man named Snake Plissken; (Kurt Russell) a former war hero now criminal is given the task with rescuing the President within 24 hours. If he succeeds, he will receive a full pardon for every crime he's committed. If he fails, small charges that have been implanted into his neck will detonate and kill him instantly when his 24 hour time limit is up. With no choice now, Snake must locate and rescue the President and do the impossible; escape from New York.

One of the most creative and original post-apocalyptic action films ever seen, Escape From New York was another one of John Carpenter's masterpieces. The film was later followed with the action packed sequel, Escape From L.A. (1996) To this day, it is a great film that explores crime and how it affects politics, and how it can affect your own personal freedoms.