The American Genre Film Archive has just announced theatrical screenings of John Carpenter‘s 1976 classic Assault on Precinct 13—newly restored in 4K – including a week here at Somerville Theatre!
Written, directed, scored, and edited by Carpenter two years prior to Halloween, Assault on Precinct 13 combines the template of Night of the Living Dead with the spirit of Rio Bravo to forge a movie like no other. The story follows a group of police officers (including the mighty Austin Stoker) and convicts as they join forces inside a soon-to-be-closed L.A. police station. The reason? They must defend themselves against Street Thunder, a vicious gang who have taken a blood oath to kill someone trapped inside the precinct.
Combining gritty action with arthouse style, the film features powerful Cinemascope compositions, a pulsing synth score, and an immersive mood that only Carpenter can deliver.
