Assault on Precinct 13 Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		3.5
Video		4.0
Audio		5.0
Extras		5.0
Overall		4.0

Assault on Precinct 13 Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Dr. Svet Atanasov March 23, 2017

John Carpenter's "Assault on Precinct 13" (1976) arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of British distributors Second Sight Films. The supplemental features on the disc include an audio commentary with director John Carpenter; audio commentary with art director and sound effects designer Tommy Lee Wallace; interview with actor Austin Stoker; interview with executive Producer Joseph Kaufman; original trailer and TV spots; and more. Also included with this release is a CD with the original soundtrack for the film and five exclusive art cards. In English, with optional English SDH subtitles for the main feature. Region-B "locked".

Gangsters

For a complete analysis of the John Carpenter's Assault on Precinct 13, please see Dustin Somner's original review of the Image Entertainment release here.

Assault on Precinct 13 Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Presented in an aspect ratio of 2.34:1, encoded with MPEG-4 AVC and granted a 1080p transfer, John Carpenter's Assault on Precinct 13 arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Second Sight Films.

The release appears to have been sourced from the same master that Image Entertainment accessed in the U.S. when they prepared their release of the film in 2008. I looked for some notable discrepancies, but while comparing the two releases I could not spot any.

Depth and clarity are generally very pleasing. Fluidity is also terrific, but I would like to mention that there are a few segments where some minor but noticeable density fluctuations are retained. To be perfectly clear, these are source limitations, not fluctuations caused by questionable digital work. Grain is well exposed and quite nicely resolved. The color scheme appears identical to that of the Image Entertainment release -- stability is good and there are no traces of recent lab corrections. This being said, I find the overall balance of the color scheme to be quite unconvincing. There are areas of the film where saturation is quite strong (see screencapture #1) while elsewhere the overall balance appears compromised (see screencapture #4). The yellow hues, in particular, can be quite strong, but in different parts of the film the gray/blueish hues also become unnaturally prominent. Image stability is excellent. Lastly, there are no encoding anomalies to report in our review. (Note: This is a Region-B "locked" Blu-ray release. Therefore, you must have a native Region-B or Region-Free player in order to access its content).

Assault on Precinct 13 Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

There are two standard audio tracks on this Blu-ray release; English DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 and English LPCM 2.0. Optional English SDH subtitles are provided for the main feature.

I viewed the film with the 2.0 track and think that it handles the film's ambience and unique music score really well. Depth is consistently pleasing and clarity always optimal. There are no balance issues to report either. The dialog is stable, clean, and always easy to follow.

Assault on Precinct 13 Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Trailer - original trailer for Assault on Precinct 13. In English, not subtitled. (2 min).

• Radio Spots - original radio spots for Assault on Precinct 13. In English, not subtitled. (1 min).

• Commentary - this is the original audio commentary with director John Carpenter in which he discusses in great detail the unique look of Assault on Precinct 13 and specifically its documentary feel, the various locations in Los Angeles where different parts of the film were shot, the western qualities and pacing of the film, the shootouts, the characterizations, the use of sound, etc. Indeed, it is a very technical and very informative commentary that fans of the film should take the time to listen in its entirety.

• Commentary - this audio commentary features sound effects designer Tommy Lee Wallace. It is perhaps a bit more relaxed and entertaining, but again offers a great deal of factual information about the shooting of Assault on Precinct 13 on location in Los Angeles. Additionally, Tommy Lee Wallace recalls his interactions with dierctor John Carpenter and discusses his working methods, as well as some interesting preferences he had during the cutting process.

• Return to Precinct 13: An Interview with Actor Austin Stoker - in this audio commentary, Austin Stoker recalls how he entered the film business and how he was cast to play Ethan Bishop, and discusses his interactions with John Carpenter and other actors during the shooting of Assault on Precinct 13, the atmosphere and look of the film, his first impression of the final theatrical version of the film, etc. In English, not subtitled. (10 min).

• Filmmaking with John: An Interview with Tommy Lee Wallace - in this video interview, art director/sound effects specialist Tommy Lee Wallace discusses his friendship with John Carpenter (both were musicians), his transition to the film business, their first work together on Dark Star, the shooting of Assault on Precinct 13 and his excitement to be able to shoot on 35mm, etc. In English, not subtitled. (22 min).

• Producing Precinct 13: An Interview with Executive Producer Joseph Kaufman - in this video interview, executive producer Joseph Kaufman recalls how he became involved with Assault on Precinct 13 and the funding of the film, some of the casting choices, the shooting process, etc. In English, not subtitled. (16 min).

• Captain Voyeur - John Carpenter Early Film - director John Carpenter made this early short film in 1969 while he was studying at the University of Southern California School of Cinematic Arts. The school's archivist Dino Everett discovered the print in 2011. With sound, not subtitled. (9 min).

• Do You Remember Laurie Zimmer? - a very interesting documentary film produced by Charlotte Szlovak and screened by Arte France. Charlotte Szlovak attempts to track down actress Laurie Zimmer who played Leigh in Assault on Precinct 13 and offers a fascinating portrait of the City of Angels. In English and French, with optional English subtitles where necessary. (54 min).

• Interview with John Carpenter and Austin Stoker - in this archival interview, dierctor John Carpenter and actor Austin Stoker recall their work together on Assault on Precinct 13. The gentlemen also answer a series of question from fans. The interview was conducted at the Egyptian Theatre, in Hollywood on January 25, 2002. In English, not subtitled. (24 min).

• The Sassy One with Actor Nancy Loomis - in this video interview, actress Nancy Kyes recalls how she started her career in the film business and discusses her contribution to Assault on Precinct 13. The featurette was produced by Red Shirt Pictures and Shout Factory. In English, not subtitled. (13 min).

• Art Cards - five exclusive art cards.

• Soundtrack - the entire original soundtrack of Assault on Precinct 13 presented on a separated CD.

Assault on Precinct 13 Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

The impressive amount of supplemental features as well as the bonus CD with the original soundtrack of Assault on Precinct on 13 are enough to strongly recommend this Blu-ray release to fans of John Carpenter's classic film. However, I believe that the definitive release of the film will likely arrive at some point in the future. While now the film looks very healthy and vibrant, I think that the color grading of the current master remains somewhat problematic. RECOMMENDED (but primarily for the excellent supplemental features).