Watch Assault on Precinct 13

Assault on Precinct 13 is a classic action-thriller film from 1976 directed by John Carpenter, who also wrote the screenplay. The movie was inspired by the 1959 western film Rio Bravo, and it revolves around a police precinct under siege by a violent street gang. Set in a rundown part of Los Angeles, the story follows Lt. Ethan Bishop (Austin Stoker), a police officer who takes over a closing precinct on New Year's Eve, which also happens to be his first day on the job. The precinct, run by a skeleton crew, mainly consists of three people: the secretary Leigh (Laurie Zimmer), the convicted killer Napoleon Wilson (Darwin Joston), and a couple of officers. However, as the night progresses, the precinct becomes the target of a terrifying gang that has declared a war on the police, who have killed some of their members earlier.

The gang, led by the imposing Napoleon Wilson's former associate, brings a relentless wave of violence and chaos to the seemingly secure police station. However, the besieged cops and prisoners must band together to fight the brutal onslaught, using their wits, instinct, and weapons at hand, to survive until dawn.

The film's tense and claustrophobic atmosphere is brilliantly enhanced by Carpenter's suspenseful direction and score, which is considered one of the most iconic soundtracks of the genre. The action sequences are well choreographed, gritty, and brutal, featuring gripping shootouts, knife fights, and explosions that keep the adrenaline pumping.

Although the story's setup is straightforward, with the action confined to the precinct itself, the screenplay masterfully weaves in several subplots that give depth to the characters and their motivations. The interplay between the two main protagonists, Lt. Bishop and Napoleon Wilson, is particularly gripping, as they initially seem to be diametrically opposed but eventually develop a mutual respect as they face their common foes.

The standout performance of the film comes from Darwin Joston, who plays Napoleon Wilson with a quiet intensity that is both intimidating and sympathetic. Wilson is portrayed as a killer with a past that still haunts him, which leads to some of the movie's more reflective moments.

Austin Stoker, as Lt. Bishop, is equally compelling, portraying a level-headed and by-the-book cop who tries to keep everyone alive while making some tough decisions in the process.

Laurie Zimmer's Leigh, the precinct's secretary, also gives an excellent performance as a character who manages to hold her own against the attackers despite her inexperience, adding to the movie's feminist aspects.

Assault on Precinct 13 is a gritty, thrilling movie that manages to transcend the usual formula of the genre by focusing on its human and emotional aspects. It is a quintessential 1970s action film that will undoubtedly keep you on the edge of your seat from start to finish. With its iconic soundtrack, masterful direction, and strong performances, this movie deserves its cult status and is a must-watch for any fan of the action-thriller genre.

Assault on Precinct 13 is a 1976 thriller with a runtime of 1 hour and 31 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.3 and a MetaScore of 89.