Assault on Precinct 13, Not Precinct 9!

For our final week of screenings in my 70's Film & Culture classes, we watched John Carpenter's 1976 classic Assault on Precinct 13. Although I usually hesitate to put the director's name before the title in referring to a film (knowing the collaborative effort that leads to the finished product), in this case I feel very comfortable highlighting that this is Carpenter's vision. He wrote, directed and edited it--and composed the unforgettable score. And while some might argue--as did a few students in my class--that his later work is better and more polished, I find this early work--even with its flaws--one of my all-time favorites. Every second of the film oozes with Carpenter's love for cinema, music and storytelling.

I contacted Carpenter to see if he could perhaps share some thoughts with our class. Here are my questions and his answers. Thanks to his assistant Sean for helping to make it happen:

1) I'm encouraging my students to not think of our course as a
history course, but rather to consider how the 70's connects with
today's issues and concerns. As a filmmaker, what is important to
you? Why do you choose certain projects over others?
2) When you look back at Assault on Precinct 13, a very early work,
what does it mean to you?
3) How would you describe the period of the 70's, as a filmmaker
and as an American?
4) What advice can you offer young storytellers as they begin their
professional lives?


TO: Francine Sanders

FROM: John Carpenter

RE: 70's Film & Culture

1) I choose projects for myself for two basic reasons: one, there is
something in the story that resonates for me personally, and, two, I
think I can do a good job with one or more sequences in the script.
Often a particular actor will attract me. If a script is well written, it is attractive. If I've written something myself, I have a feel for what needs to be done as a director.

2) ASSAULT ON PRECINCT 13 was a retro movie, a throwback to an
earlier time in American cinema. Some of the action scenes were brutal, but essentially this is an 1940's or 1950's action western with a little noir thrown in. A lot of old Hollywood movies are 'quoted' in the movie, mostly from Howard Hawks films. I was young at the time and it seemed like a good idea.

3) America in the 70's was in turmoil, from Watergate to the oil
shocks to the Iranian revolution. Moviemaking was, for the most part, pretty tame except for exploitation movies. The 60's new wave had passed. We had THE STING and Charles Bronson action movies. Disaster films were popular, the ultimate being THE TOWERING INFERNO. STAR WARS came along in the later 70's. In a way, the 70's were a template for modern movies except there were very few pop culture references.

4) My advice to young filmmakers is to try and get into a film
school. Failing that, start making your own projects using consumer video cameras and editing. Learn the language of cinema. And stay with it.

John Carpenter