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Before making the original Halloween into one of the most profitable independent films of all time, John Carpenter directed this riveting low-budget thriller from 1976, in which a nearly abandoned police station is held under siege by a heavily armed gang called Street Thunder. Inside the station, cut off from contact and isolated, cops and convicts who were headed for death row must now join forces or die. That's the basic plot, but it's what Carpenter does with it that's remarkable. Drawing specific inspiration from the classic Howard Hawks Western Rio Bravo (which included a similar siege on disadvantaged heroes), Carpenter used his simple setting for a tense, tightly constructed series of action sequences, emphasizing low-key character development and escalating tension. Few who've seen the film can forget the "ice cream cone" scene in which a young girl is caught up in the action by patronizing a seemingly harmless ice cream truck. It's here, and in other equally memorable scenes, that Carpenter demonstrates his singular knack for injecting terror into the mundane details of daily life, propelling this potent thriller to cult favorite status and long-standing critical acclaim. --Jeff Shannon
Customer Reviews
Most helpful customer reviews
By Andrew
Format:DVD
Yes it is being remade for release in 2005! But before you go out and see that you MUST see the original. Carpenter's 1st studio film!
Based on Howard Hawks Rio Bravo, it tells the story of a police precinct under siege, where Police and prisoners have to fight side by side in order to survive. Great acting by Austin Stoker and Darwin Joston. Excellent direction and music by John Carpenter. Not to be missed!
Based on Howard Hawks Rio Bravo, it tells the story of a police precinct under siege, where Police and prisoners have to fight side by side in order to survive. Great acting by Austin Stoker and Darwin Joston. Excellent direction and music by John Carpenter. Not to be missed!
By John Lindsey
Format:DVD
A police station in L.A. called Precinct 13 has two police officers, two women and two convicts including a traumatized victim are being trapped by street gangs who are surrounding the place making it a living hell for them. They have to find a way to get out, defend themselves and make those devils go away.
An intense, exciting, gripping action drama classic from John Carpenter which happens to be his second movie after "Dark Star". This movie offers loads of action, brutal violence including a on screen child murder, gunfire, an interesting storyline and cool music by Carpenter.
This movie became a cult classic over the years yet still has a strong following including being one of the greatest action movies in movie history. The DVD here is a nice special edition with great transfer, and cool extras like Poster-and-still gallery, trailer, radio spots and interviews, if you love John Carpenter and action movies then add this to your collection.
There is going to be a big budget remake due out next year with Ethan Hawke, Ja Rule, Lawrence Fishburne, Brian Deheney and John Leguizomo.
Also recommended: Die Hard, Night of the Living Dead, Dawn of the Dead, From Dusk Till Dawn, The Rock, Con Air, Shaft, The Siege, The Peacemaker, Lethal Weapon, Scarface, Commmando, Passenger 57.
By Lakan Kildap
Format:DVD
after everything's been said or written about this movie, that's the one part I felt I must highlight; the music for this movie was credited to Carpenter, and in the DVD format, it just rocks, just gives the speakers a serious workout. For a 1970s movie, or for any decade, for that matter, it's awesome.
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4.2 out of 5 stars
Most recent customer reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Spot the Reference Time!
John Carpenter, like Spielberg, is aware of the history of cinema, and often references earlier films (and other pop-culture material) in his work. Read more
Published on Jun 12 2004 by Michael Weber
5.0 out of 5 stars
Dark and Delightful
A cracker of a film from the start. Carpenter builds the atmosphere in a way that seems unique to his own personal style. Read more
Published on May 27 2004 by alistair w
5.0 out of 5 stars
Da Da Da Da Da! Da Da Da Da Da!
John Carpenter's reworking of the Rio Bravo concept is one of the best action films of the 70s. It's an action film, but it has the feel of a horror film, most obviously Night Of... Read more
Published on May 2 2004 by Stanley Runk
5.0 out of 5 stars
At my moment of dying.
There are three reasons i don't like any of John Carpenters recent films, and this is one of them (the others being halloween and escape from New York). Read more
Published on Mar 1 2004 by The Birdman
4.0 out of 5 stars
GOTTA SMOKE?
One of Carpenter's earliest films 'Assault on Precinct 13' is an early attempt of a future going crazy story like 'Mad Max' or 'Escape From New York. Read more
Published on Mar 1 2004 by Serpent Night
4.0 out of 5 stars
Lucky 13
Before he scared the heck out of us with the original Halloween, director John Carpenter tried his hand at the action genre, with Assault On Precinct 13. Read more
Published on Dec 19 2003 by T. Lobascio
5.0 out of 5 stars
One of the Top Independent Films Ever
Being a fanatic of John Carpenter, specifically the Halloween series, hearing about this movie made me eager to check it out. Read more
Published on Dec 1 2003 by Ian Scottish
4.0 out of 5 stars
CULT CLASSIC!
Low budget movies don't get much better than this.
For John Carpenter fans, this movie is a must-see. Read more
Published on Jun 28 2003 by Bryan Schingle
5.0 out of 5 stars
"Anybody got a smoke?"
Merely one of the best B-movies ever, though it required a cabal of British and French film critics to point this out to us. Well, they were right. Read more
Published on April 11 2003
4.0 out of 5 stars
pre "halloween" Carpender at his best
The story is your basic "good vs evil" and the production values are on the cheap but what is compelling is how a pre "halloween" John Carpender takes an assortment of cops,... Read more
Published on April 7 2003 by Richard I. Caplan
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