South Bronx Heroes (Revenge of the Innocents) (1985)

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Filmed independently in 1983, Runaways was released in 1985 under two alternate titles, South Bronx Heroes and Revenge of the Innocents. 14-year-old Paul (Brendan Ward) and 11-year-old Michelle (Melissa Esposito) escape the cruelties of foster father Bennett (Martin Zurla). They run off to the… More Filmed independently in 1983, Runaways was released in 1985 under two alternate titles, South Bronx Heroes and Revenge of the Innocents. 14-year-old Paul (Brendan Ward) and 11-year-old Michelle (Melissa Esposito) escape the cruelties of foster father Bennett (Martin Zurla). They run off to the nether regions of the South Bronx, but not before Paul has appropriated some photos that will expose Bennett as a kiddie-porn merchant. Inner-city youths Tony and Chrissie (played by real-life siblings Mario and Megan Van Peebles) use these photos as part of a blackmail scheme. Ultimately, however, Tony and Chrissie turn out to be good kids and help bring Bennett to justice. So much ad-libbing occurs onscreen in Runaways that Mario Van Peebles is given an "additional dialogue" credit. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi