Vigilante (1983)

66% of users liked it
(1,368 ratings)

The excessive violence in this action thriller makes New York City look like the site of a civil war -- or rather, a nauseatingly uncivil war fought between factory workers allied with neighborhood citizens against their enemies: drug pushers and other low-lifes. At first the worker Eddie Merino… More The excessive violence in this action thriller makes New York City look like the site of a civil war -- or rather, a nauseatingly uncivil war fought between factory workers allied with neighborhood citizens against their enemies: drug pushers and other low-lifes. At first the worker Eddie Merino (Robert Forster) refuses to join a vigilante movement, but when his wife is stabbed and his son killed by a Puerto Rican gang, Eddie eventually opts for his own right to kill. His decision is not allowed to come quickly, he is made to agonize a bit longer. When the gang leader (singer Willie Colón) who killed Eddie's son is caught and brought up for trial, he gets off with a suspended sentence because of a corrupt defense lawyer and an inept judge. Eddie attacks the judge in court and is sent to jail for contempt. When he gets out of jail, he becomes a vigilante, out to kill the guilty or those he sees as protecting the guilty in the death of his son. From then on, a non-stop bloodbath takes over as the star of the film. ~ Eleanor Mannikka, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: R, 1 hr. 35 min.
Directed By: William Lustig
Written By: Richard Vetere
Genres: Drama, Action & Adventure

In Theaters: Jan 12, 1983 Limited
On DVD: Aug 25, 1998

Critic Reviews

Walter Chaw, Film Freak Central
There's a certain laudable doggedness in its creation, I guess
David Nusair, Reel Film Reviews
A typically inept effort from William Lustig...
Chris Cabin, Slant Magazine
A grindhouse retread of Death Wish both narratively and politically, William Lustig's Vigilante rolls out onto blu-ray with a nicer transfer than it deserves, frankly.
James Kendrick, Q Network Film Desk
jets past moral qualms and cuts right into our most feverish sense of righteousness

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

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Featured Audience Ratings

Conner R

A classic B-movie showing the true corruption in the city. This is extremely realistic and violent, turning into a horror movie for anyone who lives in New York. However, this can be taken almost 100% seriously though, which mustâ€™ve been hard with such a low budget and multiple… More
A classic B-movie showing the true corruption in the city. This is extremely realistic and violent, turning into a horror movie for anyone who lives in New York. However, this can be taken almost 100% seriously though, which mustâ€™ve been hard with such a low budget and multiple restraints. The acting is so above average for something typical of the genre, Robert Forster and Fred Williamson are the greatest. The music is some of my favorite, coming close to the original Assault on Prescient 13, which says a lot. There are very few movies like this around and this is nothing short of great.
Christopher B

Not near as sleazy as Lustig's other works, but just as entertaining. Sure it's a ripoff of vigilante films that came before it, but it's still damned fun.
Patrick D

Williamson and Forster in one movie? Does that sounds awesome or what. How about making it directed by Lustig (Maniac, Maniac Cop). It's a really good revenge grindhouse type flick.

Cast

            Robert Forster as Eddie

            Fred Williamson as Nick

            Richard Bright as Burke

            Rutanya Alda as Vickie

            Don Blakely as Prago

            Joseph Carberry as Ramon

            Willie Colon as Rico

            Joe Spinell as Eisenberg

            Woody Strode as Rake

            Vincent Beck as Judge Sinclair

            Bo Rucker as Horace

            Peter Savage as Mr. "T"

            Sandy Alexander as Prisoner

            Henry Judd Baker as Quinn

            Nick Barbaro as Prison Guard

            Kim Delgado as Leon

            Frank Gio as Ptl. Shore

            Gino Lucci as Limo Driver

            Carol Lynley as District Attorney Fletcher

            Ralph Monaco as Jake

            Frank Pesce as Blueboy

            Vincent Russo as Rubin

            Ray Serra as Court Officer

            Randy Jurgensen as Det. Russo

            Harry Madsen as Bodyguard

            Alex Stevens as Alex

            Joseph Winogradoff as Policeman #2

            James Brewster Thompson as Bobby

            Sal Carollo as Mr. Nulty

            Michael Miller as Dr. Fallon

            Steve W. James as Ptl. Gibbons
See full cast