FIGHTING BACK
US, 1982, 96 minutes, Colour.
Tom Skerritt, Patti Lu Pone, Yaphet Kotto, Michael Sarrazin, David Rasche.
Directed by Lewis Teague.
Fighting Back (Death Vengeance, Street Wars) is a vigilante film, set in Philadelphia. It takes one of the preoccupations of American society of the '70s and '80s, the violence on the streets that the police are unable to cope with. It has a background of poverty, unemployment, racial minorities asserting themselves. This particularly American phenomenon was brought to cinema-goers' attention with Charles Bronson's Death Wish (and its sequel Death Wish II in 1982).
While the violence in the cities is oppressive, it is also a reality. The dilemma of administering justice by vigilante methods when the police fail or leaving the police to do their work is a very emotive one. This film works on that emotional level. It has implications (moving towards Right Wing stances) where the hero who leads the vigilante patrol in Philadelphia eventually stands for public office.
The film is directed by Lewis Teague, director of such action melodramas as The Lady in Red, Alligator, Cujo. It is crisply-made - and raises a great number of social and moral questions.
1. The impact of the film as melodrama? A police story? Vigilante story? Social upheaval in the U.S.? Methods of administering justice? An honest portrayal of social and moral problems? Exploitive?
2. The use of Philadelphia locations? An authentic atmosphere? The editing and pace for the violence - both by the villains and by the vigilantes? The musical score - and the range of contemporary songs as a background? The lyrics and their comment?
3. The basic situation of unemployment, poverty, racism and violence in the streets? Petty robberies? Muggings and violence? The innocent victims? The repercussions for families? The lack of help from the police? The decision to take the law into personal hands?
4. John D'Angelo and his experiences: his pregnant wife and the chase by Eldorado? His mother and the hold-up, her losing her finger? His appeal to the police? His not being able to get satisfaction? The forming of the vigilante group? The attack on the bar? The subsequent violence at home? The repercussions on his family life? The television interviews and the support of Michael Taylor? The discussions with Ivanhoe Washington and the hope that the blacks would help him? His becoming a local hero? The reaction by the Police Commissioner, by the councillors of Philadelphia? D'Angelo and his moving out against criminals, especially the Mafia and those they protect? The violent attack on Lupo? The reaction of Morelli and the caution about the group? The impact of Morelli's death? D'Angelo and the confrontation with the group? The Commissioner deciding to arrest him, then freeing him to attack Eldorado? The confrontation? The violent ending - and his return to the celebration? His being a candidate for public office? The ordinary American and the impact of contemporary violence? Being presented as hero?
5. Morelli and his work as a policeman, place in the family, friendship with D'Angelo, his joining the group, the background of the police training? His gradual caution? His arguments with D'Angelo? Going to the mugging scene? His being shot?
6. The D'Angelo family - Lisa and the loss of her baby, her support of her husband, the repercussions of the violence? John's mother and her experience and its impact?
7. Ivanhoe Washington and his background, leader, discussions with D'Angelo, the encounters, his belief that the campaign was racist and his not helping?
8. Television coverage, Michael Taylor, the interviews on television - and public attention?
9. The powers in the city - councillors, police commissioners? Their trying to cope with crime, the police force? Their reaction to D'Angelo? Politicking against him? Decision to let him go and attack Eldorado?
10. The picture of the city thugs, Eldorado and his personality, leadership, followers? The exercise of violence, revenge? Motivation? The comparisons with the Mafia protected drug dealers? Lupo?
11. An ugly picture of American society? The reality of justice and its administration? The tradition of vigilante groups in American society? The moral of vigilante justice?
