Assault on Precint 13 is a great film. Independent in quality and execution but better than many studio films. Young John Carpentar had already made Dark Star which is a comedy sci-fi better known for being the source for Ridley Scott's Alien in many ways and yet had Halloween ahead. This is great direction- there isn't much dialogue and the sequence of attack on the police station is very good.All actors are character types which only add to the atmosphere and realism.

As I watched this film, I kept thinking how the plot devices very much resemble those of NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD. As in NOTLD, we see a group of strangers in a structure desperately trying to survive the deadly attackers that are attempting to break in and kill them. Both movies show the principle players going through their doubts, fears and angst between each other as the story unfolds. Also, I felt that there were parallels between Ethan Bishop's (Stoker) and Ben's (Jones in NOTLD) characters as they both took on an important leadership role and kept things 'on track' for all of the other players. NOTLD was released in 1968 and AOP13 was released in 1976, so this would have given Carpenter the right amount of time to allow NOTLD to percolate in his consciousness. Anyway, it makes sense to me.Overall, I liked the film. But I personally prefer Carpenter's films containing supernatural overtones. I believe that he did a great job considering the budget that he had to work with. I thoroughly enjoyed the DVD extra of an audience participation interview with Carpenter and Austin Stoker after a screening of AOP13 (Special Edition DVD release). This is a must-see!

The remake with Ethan Hawke was a okay action movie in my mind until i saw the original Assault on Precinct 13 directed by John Carpenter i'm now completely hate the remake cause it ruin all the stuff make the original so special.The movie very intense very atmospheric and fill with strong performance thought out the movie make it a classic action movie of the 70s.The bad guys is human but this movie portray them in a very sinister way that give me the creep everytime they appear on screen with the hollow eyes and zombie movement

I have always considered the Zombie genre to be deeply existential, and have always been disappointed with people who approach it as pure gore and cheap entertainment.In this film, director John Carpenter, establishes many of his future motifs (Isolation, Claustrophobia, Suburban environments) but also confirms the statement above. Who cares if it is a supernatural or everyday cause? Entrapment, mindless violence, hopelessness and ultimately devastation are the same, triggered by living or living-dead creatures.On top of that, add one of the absolutely coolest soundtracks ever, composed by the master himself.