Influence of Badlands


Just over halfway mark of Badlands (1973), after our colorful James Deen lookalike murderer has been captured and he's shooting the breeze with the cops, I was reminded of how Darwin Joston approached his Napoleon Wilson role. These whimsical exchanges Kit (Martin Sheen) had with the cops, the manner in which they responded to his charm with curious puzzlement (why'd you do it?), the thick southern accent, the straight jacket and chains...all of this is very reminiscent of Napoleon Wilson's interaction with the cops at the begging of Assault on Precinct 13. I'd find it remarkable if Joston or Carpenter didn't have these scenes of Badlands in mind as they discussed what sort of personality Wilson would be and how he'd be received by the authorities (somewhat veiled disgust, secret admiration, amusement, and occasionally violent disdain to remind him who's boss).

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