Assault on Precinct 13 (1976)

Assault on Precinct 13 (1976)
Director: John Carpenter
Cast: Austin Stoker, Darwin Johnson, Laurie Zimmer, Charles Cyphers
Memorable Line: "Got a cigarette?"

Before "Halloween," John Carpenter made this little action thriller that got some notice, but it should have gotten more. Hurt by some stiff performances, "Assault on Precinct 13" still rises above its budget for the most part and delivers some first rate action.

The action starts quickly with the shooting death of a group of gang members. These are members of a cross-race gang called Steel Thunder. Without much dialog but a lot of determination, the gang swears itself to revenge and the target of their revenge is a soon to de-commissioned police post. On that fateful evening the gang's siege, the only people there are new lieutenant (Stoker), a crusty street cop, a couple of support staffer (Zimmer) and some convicts who were apart of bus transport who made an emergency stop at the station. One of the convicts (Johnson) makes a stand with the cops against the gang. Out-numbered and on their own, they are forced to fight down to the last man.

Carpenter admitted that his inspiration for the movie was the western, "Rio Bravo" and the movie does have that sort of feel -- the lonely outpost under siege. The pace is deliberate by today's standards, but it seems to work.

Stoker, Cyphers, and Zimmer are good, but Johnson seems a bit stiff and it's too bad because in the second half of the film, he has to carry much of the story. Still, the direction is solid and story holds your attention with some underlying wit.