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Poster for Assault on Precinct 13

Assault on Precinct 13

Seen it?

1976 | 91 min | Thriller, Action, Crime

Saturday Special

Why it’s a Saturday Special

Critics loved it (98% on Rotten Tomatoes) and it's still drawing plenty of interest, despite soft box office. A strong pick for the weekend.

Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.

Is it for you?

Who'll love it
Made for crime fans, anyone who likes to be kept guessing and action fans. If you loved Avengement or Menace II Society, start here. Critics rate it higher than audiences do, so it rewards patience more than it chases thrills.
The mood
Tense, gritty.
The pace
Fast-moving, at 1 hr 31 min.
What might put you off
  • Rated R: expect violence.
  • Made in 1976: an older pace and style.
  • Audiences were cooler on it than critics.

A highway patrol officer, two criminals, and a station secretary form an unlikely alliance to defend a defunct Los Angeles precinct against a siege by a bloodthirsty street gang.

How it earned its rating

  • CriticsVery strong

    98% on Rotten Tomatoes, 89 on Metacritic

  • AudiencesSolid

    7.3 out of 10

  • AwardsNot counted

    No major awards or nominations

  • Box office & staying powerBelow par

    $200K worldwide on a $150K budget; still draws a steady audience long after release

  • Buzz & cultural impactStrong

    About 210K people sought it out in the past year

Trailer

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Cast & crew

Directed by John Carpenter

  • Austin StokerEthan Bishop
  • Darwin JostonNapoleon Wilson
  • Laurie ZimmerLeigh
  • Martin WestLawson
  • Tony BurtonWells
  • Charles CyphersStarker
  • Nancy KyesJulie
  • Peter BruniIce Cream Man
  • John J. FoxWarden
  • Marc RossPatrolman Tramer