Happy 2020 everybody 🙂 Well I am back, how was the Christmas and New Years of my dear readers 🙂 A new year also calls for the beginning of not only a new Moviedrome Monday entry from me, but also the first episode in the new season of Moviedrome, which in this case would be season 3. I also have a youtube video link of Moviedrome presenter Alex Cox introducing the 1976 cult classic Assault on Precinct 13 by now legendary director John Carpenter. If any of you readers are interested in reading Cox’s introductory transcript, read here. The episode’s original airdate was May 6, 1990 (read here). Though Cox has nice things to say about the film, he seems to give off the vibe that it is “overrated”, which I totally disagree with him on. I love Assault on Precinct 13, but then again, Cox has always been something of a contrarian. If any of you readers are interested in reading my list of my favorite John Carpenter films, read here.
Here is a youtube video link to Alex Cox’s Moviedrome intro of Assault on Precinct 13
Here is a youtube video link to the film’s original theatrical trailer
cinematiccoffee 
Welcome back John. As I’ve said here previously I always enjoy Assault on Precinct 13 with it’s nods to Rio Bravo. On the commentary on my DVD, Carpenter name-checks a few other influences, both from Hawks’ other films (Hatari! and To Have and Have Not) and other filmmakers – Night of the Living Dead . As Alex Cox points out “the film is a cultists dream!”
I just watched “Escape From New York” last week which is my favorite Carpenter film.
Never watched the original Assault on Precinct 13″ but caught the remake and yikes,no one was safe in that one!!
Welcome back and hope you are ready for a great 2020!
I disagree with Cox too. One of the best films of the 1970s, and it still holds up, despite the ‘plot-change’ remake. (Which I strangely enjoyed) I watched it again on TV last year, and was still gripped!
Best wishes, Pete.
You really should try to watch this one. They are like two very different films. Both good, but the original was so innovative for the time, even with the nods to earlier westerns. 🙂
Another great Moviedrome post, John! Assault on Precinct 13 is a genuine classic. As an independent low-budget filmmaker I thought Cox may praise it a little more. However, he never quite had Carpenter’s knack for genre in my view. Looking forward to the next post already!
Awesome post, John. Precinct 13. It’s mellowed over time and has a fine bouquet!
I definitely am keeping a eye out for “13”…I’m sure someone will donate it to my library soon enough,I picked up my original “Halloween” up from there.
I thought the remake was really rugged and quote savage in parts but it was a good movie as well.
It was indeed. But it had Hollywood stars, and a big budget. The lack of both made the original feel much ‘grittier’.
Happy 2020 to you too 🙂 Assault on Precinct 13 is “a cultist’s dream” as Cox so eloquently states 🙂 Interesting tidbits you just mentioned about Carpenter’s influences for Precinct 13 as well 🙂 Anyway, thanks for dropping by 🙂
“I just watched “Escape From New York” last week which is my favorite Carpenter film.
Never watched the original Assault on Precinct 13″ but caught the remake and yikes,no one was safe in that one!!”
“Welcome back and hope you are ready for a great 2020!”
My number one favorite John Carpenter film is The Thing 🙂 As for Assault on Precinct 13 (the original that is), it is my fourth favorite Carpenter after The Thing, Halloween and They Live.
Anyway, thanks for dropping by and I hope you are ready for a great 2020 as well 🙂
One of the many great 70’s films no doubt 🙂 Also, who can forget John Carpenter’s theme to the film 🙂 Anyway, thanks for dropping by 🙂
I hear ya Paul 🙂 As I mentioned before, Cox can be very opinionated at times. Thank you for the kind words and thanks for dropping by 🙂
Thank you for the kind words Cindy 🙂 And yes, it has aged like “a fine bouquet” as you so eloquently state 🙂 Anyway, thanks for dropping by 🙂
The theme is as good as the film!
I think we can all agree that “Ghost of Mars” was his worst despite having a killer cast…..
“I think we can all agree that “Ghost of Mars” was his worst despite having a killer cast…..”
To be perfectly honest with you, Carpenter has never made a bad film in my opinion. Nevertheless, I do not think that Ghosts of Mars will ever be called great 🙂
I love this movie. I’m tempted to say it’s better than Halloween–and it almost is.
I totally disagree with Cox; if anything Assault on Precinct 13 is underrated. It really should be even more mainstream than it is–and the only reason it is mainstream is because it is so feakin’ brilliant. It’s Guerrilla filmmaking at it’s best. I’d give it a 98 out of 100. In other words it’s an A+.
I too love the film and yes, Cox is totally wrong on it. I second your thoughts on Precinct 13 being “Guerrilla filmmaking at it’s best” 🙂 Anyway, thanks for dropping by 🙂