The Duke
Background
The Duke is the Duke of the prison island of Manhattan, New York, also known as A#1 and the Big Man. He is the leader of the gang the Gypsies.
During the events of Escape from New York (1981) played by Isaac Hayes
When the President crashes into Manhattan, he is captured by the Duke's gang. Snake Plissken steals one of the Duke's cars and he, Brain and Maggie drive to where the President is being held. Brain distracts the guards while Snake gets the President. As Snake and the President are trying to escape they are caught by Gypsies. The Duke questions Snake who refuses to talk and Brain tells the Duke Snake was sent by the authorities. Snake is then knocked unconscious by the Duke. The Duke orders Brain to give him the map of the locations of the mines on the 69th Street bridge. The Duke is using the President as target practice when he shoots the President's briefcase open. The briefcase, which was attached by a handcuff to his wrist, drops a cassette tape, which Romero takes. A helicopter is hailed by a group of convicts, the convicts run away leaving the President's briefcase. Hauk reads a letter found in the briefcase to the Secretary of State and Rehme. The Duke demands amnesty for all convicts in New York City in exchange for the President. Brain convinces Romero to let him see the President and then stabs and kills Romero while Maggie shoots the other guards. Brain then frees the President and he and Maggie flee, but not before being spotted by a Gypsy Guard. Gypsy Guard tells Duke Brain escaped with the President and the Duke quickly leaves. Snake returns to the Twin Towers and finds Brain and Maggie fighting some Indians. Brain tells Snake he knows where the cassette tape is. They find Brain's car disabled and the Duke and his men waiting for them, forcing them to run away just in time to be picked up by Cabbie. Snake drives towards the bridge while Brain guides him. The Duke follows in his vehicle behind them. Snake drives over a mine which blows the cab in half and also kills Cabbie. Brain is killed when he steps on a landmine and Maggie stays behind to kill the Duke. Maggie is killed when the Duke runs her over with his car. The Duke then follows Snake and the President on foot. Hauk dispatches helicopters to Snake and the President's location. The Duke is shot by the President as the Duke was about to shoot Snake.
