In the 1980 cult classic “Escape From New York,” St. Louis serves as a backdrop for a dystopian narrative where Manhattan is a walled-off prison. The film follows convict Snake Plissken, portrayed by Kurt Russell, as he attempts to rescue the president after Air Force One crashes in this chaotic setting. Key St. Louis locations, including the Chain of Rocks Bridge and Union Station, were used to depict the film’s post-apocalyptic world, contributing significantly to its cinematic landscape.