No Escape (Escape from Absolom) (1994)

53% of critics liked it
(15 reviews)
43% of users liked it
(9,238 ratings)

A man from the future fights to survive in a society thrown back to the dark ages in this sci-fi adventure set in 2022. Capt. Robbins (Ray Liotta) is a military man who, after he's convicted of the murder of his superior officer, is sentenced to a high-tech prison ruled by the Warden (Michael… More A man from the future fights to survive in a society thrown back to the dark ages in this sci-fi adventure set in 2022. Capt. Robbins (Ray Liotta) is a military man who, after he's convicted of the murder of his superior officer, is sentenced to a high-tech prison ruled by the Warden (Michael Lerner), a cruel taskmaster who enjoys torturing his inmates. After a scuffle with the Warden, Robbins is transferred to a primitive island penal colony known as Absalom, where the civilization is dominated by two groups, the Insiders, a peaceful tribe led by the Father (Lance Henriksen), and the Outsiders, a pack of violent misfits led by Marek (Stuart Wilson). Robbins runs afoul of the Outsiders and is injured in a skirmish; he escapes to the Insiders' camp, where he plots his revenge. No Escape was based on the novel The Penal Colony by Richard Herley. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: R, 1 hr. 58 min.
Directed By: Martin Campbell
Genres: Action & Adventure, Television, Science Fiction & Fantasy

In Theaters: Apr 29, 1994 Wide
On DVD: Jul 28, 1998
Studio: HBO Video

Critic Reviews

Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com
A synthetic pastiche of sci-fi, action movies (borrowing feely from the superior Mad Max movies), and routine prison drama that's a sensless, incoherent mishmash that even a reliable pro like Liota cannot salavage.
Clint Morris, Brag Magazine
A throwback to the energetic sci-fi films of yesteryear. Frantic and Fun.
Chuck O'Leary, Fantastica Daily
A watchable futuristic prison flick. Decent B-movie thrills.
Luke Y. Thompson, New Times
Martin Campbell's generally an underrated action director, but this is just okay, not one of his finer efforts

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

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Featured Audience Ratings

Tim S

Terrible film but there is some great acting in it.
Anthony L

This came out the same time as Fortress, the later is a much better film but this works as a modern B-movie action film.
Derek A

Fun, action packed 90's movie that was overlooked and under appreciated. The story is about a highly decorated Army cadet who assassinates his general officer for moralistic reasons. His punishment is life in prison on a deserted island called "Absolom" where the… More
Fun, action packed 90's movie that was overlooked and under appreciated. The story is about a highly decorated Army cadet who assassinates his general officer for moralistic reasons. His punishment is life in prison on a deserted island called "Absolom" where the deadliest of prisoners are forced to live in a brutal society controlled by vicious warlords. The graphics, for the time, were good. Ray Liotta puts in a great performance, which is something I don't usually find myself saying too often. This movie pales in comparison to current eye candy blockbuster action movies, but this is still a great 90's action movie that you should check out.
Film C

excellent different storyline but very good and action packed on edge of seat
Tsubaki S

The "futuristic apocalyptic prison" thing has been done to death. This one is more of the same, but not that badly done actually. Ray Liotta can be fun to watch from time to time.
EightThirty .

Pretty out of it
xGary X

Don't be fooled by Ray Liotaa's presence; this was one of his more dubious career choices. A dumb and pointless prison based Mad Max rip-off that's a bit crap, really.
Dean M

That film is an increasingly-violent and every gory succession of fights, explosions, stabbings, guttings and decapitations, the inhabitants of this Lord of the Flies nightmare/paradise inch closer to the dream before mutual destruction.
Curtis L

Sweet movie about a prison colony, like australia!
Steven V

Ray Liotta stars in this sci-fi actioner, sent to an in-escapable island prison he bands together with a group of fellow inmates to fight off a band of savages. Also appearing are a whole host of British character actors along with Lance Henriksen… More
Ray Liotta stars in this sci-fi actioner, sent to an in-escapable island prison he bands together with a group of fellow inmates to fight off a band of savages. Also appearing are a whole host of British character actors along with Lance Henriksen and Ernie Hudson who seem to make a living off this type of direct to video fare. Ray Liotta is pretty good but this is no where near his quality performances. He drives the plot along and carries the action scenes off well. Lance Henriksen is reliable as ever and adds to his impressive list of Science Fiction & Fantasy appearances.