Vigilante (1983)

Director:

William Lustig

Writer:

Richard Vetere (written by)

Release Date:

16 September 1983 (USA)

Genre:

Action | Crime | Thriller

Tagline:

You're not safe anymore...

Plot:

Eddie Marino is a factory worker in New York City. He has a wife named Vickie and a son named Scott...

Plot Keywords:

Gang | Judge | Factory | Vigilante | Jail

Cast

Robert Forster	...	Eddie Marino
Fred Williamson	...	Nick
Richard Bright	...	Burke
Rutanya Alda	...	Vickie Marino
Don Blakely	...	Prago
Joseph Carberry	...	Ramon
Willie Colón	...	Rico (as Willie Colon)
Joe Spinell	...	Eisenberg
Carol Lynley	...	Assistant D.A. Mary Fletcher
Woody Strode	...	Rake
Vincent Beck	...	Judge Sinclair
Bo Rucker	...	Horace
Frank Pesce	...	Blueboy
Steve James	...	Ptl. Gibbons (as Steve W. James)
Randy Jurgensen	...	Det. Russo
Henry Judd Baker	...	Quinn
Dante Joseph	...	Scott Marino
Vincent Russo	...	Rubin
Donna Patti	...	Rape Victim
Peter Savage	...	Thomas 'Mr. T.' Stokes
Mike Miller	...	Dr. Fallon
Hyla Marrow	...	Rosie
Frank Gio	...	Ptl. Shore
Raymond Serra	...	Court Officer (as Ray Serra)
Sal Carollo	...	Mr. Nulty
Sandy Alexander	...	Prisoner
Geri Martin	...	Nurse #1
Susan Phelps	...	Nurse #2
Gregg Stevens	...	Boy in Wheelchair
Burt Pittari	...	Felix
Kim Delgado	...	Leon
James L. Brewster	...	Bobby (as James Brewster)
John Caparosa	...	Police Officer
Alex Stevens	...	Alex
Ralph Monaco	...	Jake
Sandy Dell	...	Hooker #1
Ramona Brooks	...	Hooker #2
Enid Britton	...	Hooker #3
Nick Barbaro	...	Prison Guard
Harry Madsen	...	Bodyguard
Michael Irene	...	Angry Young Man
Mark Bruno	...	Truck Driver #1
Christopher Ferris	...	Truck Driver #2
Jerry Preiser	...	Squad Commander
Daniel Dod	...	Policeman #1 (as Dan Dod)
Joseph Winogradoff	...	Policeman #2
Gino Lucci	...	Limo Driver
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
William Lustig	...	1st Man Exiting Courtroom Elevator (uncredited)
Ron McLarty	...	Doctor (uncredited)
Vic Noto	...	Killer Joe (uncredited)
Filomena Spagnuolo	...	Old Lady Sitting Next to Eddie Outside Courtroom (uncredited)

Directed by
William Lustig

Writing credits
Richard Vetere		(written by)

Produced by
Andrew W. Garroni	....	producer (as Andrew Garroni)
Randy Jurgensen	....	associate producer
William Lustig	....	producer
Jerry Masucci	....	executive producer
John Packard	....	executive producer
Kenneth Pavia	....	executive producer
Edward L. Montoro	....	executive producer (uncredited)

Original Music by
Jay Chattaway

Cinematography by
James Lemmo		(director of photography)

Film Editing by
Larry Marinelli		(as Lorenzo Marinelli)

Casting by
Louis DiGiaimo

Production Design by
Mischa Petrow

Makeup Department
Cecilia Verardi	....	hair stylist (as Cecelia Verardi)
Cecilia Verardi	....	makeup artist (as Cecelia Verardi)
Cecilia Verardi	....	special makeup effects (as Cecelia Verardi)

Production Management
Mary Kane	....	unit manager
Randee Lois Smith	....	production manager

Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Randy Jurgensen	....	first assistant director
Hugh Rawson	....	second second assistant director
Joseph Winogradoff	....	second assistant director

Art Department
Jason Armstrong	....	carpenter
Dan Goldman	....	scenic artist (as Daniel Goldman)
William Douglas Levien	....	construction coordinator
Rex Piano	....	props

Sound Department
Robert Cardelli	....	sound effects editor (as Bob Cardelli)
Vern Carlson	....	sound effects editor
Rick Dior	....	sound re-recording engineer: Trans/Audio, Inc.
Clinton C. Elliot	....	loop dialogue editor
Bill Hudson	....	sound effects editor
Joseph Lesko	....	sound effects editor (as Joe Lesko)
George T. Norris	....	supervising sound editor
David Platt	....	boom operator
Gary Rich	....	sound mixer
Mollie Smollett	....	sound effects editor
Arthur Sokalner	....	sound mixer

Special Effects by
Don Berry	....	special effects assistant
Dee Debaun	....	special effects administrator
Jacques Godbout	....	special effects assistant (as Jacques Gadbout)
Drew Jiritano	....	special effects assistant (as Andrew Jiritano)
Perry McLamb	....	special effects assistant
Matt Vogel	....	additional special effects
Gary Zeller	....	special effects coordinator

Stunts
Daniel Dod	....	special car stunts (as Dan Dod)
Jery Hewitt	....	stunts: high fall
Randy Jurgensen	....	stunts
Harry Madsen	....	stunts
Franklin Scott	....	stunts
Alex Stevens	....	stunt coordinator

Camera and Electrical Department
Arthur Blum	....	grip
John F. Cassidy	....	grip (as John Cassidy)
Christopher Ferris	....	grip
Mark Garroni	....	assistant camera
Tony Giarratano	....	dolly grip (as Anthony Giarratano)
Paul Gibson	....	electric
Denis Hann	....	key grip
Tom Paul Hoppe	....	additional assistant camera (as Tom Hoppe)
James A. Lebovitz	....	additional assistant camera (as James Lebovitz)
Don Muchow	....	best boy
Rick Owen	....	gaffer
Mike Spera	....	additional photographer (as Michael Spera)
Peter Spera	....	additional assistant camera
John Verardi	....	assistant camera
Ken Waldman	....	additional assistant camera
Phil Gries	....	director of photography: Second Unit (uncredited)

Casting Department
Billy Dowd	....	assistant casting (as William Dowd)

Costume and Wardrobe Department
Susan Douglas	....	assistant wardrobe
Kristin McNiff	....	wardrobe
Carmela Ricottone	....	wardrobe
Mary Sferra	....	assistant wardrobe

Editorial Department
Noreen Evans	....	assistant editor
Joanna Jimenez	....	assistant editor (as Joann Jimenez)
Kirk Lavine	....	assistant editor
Lawrence Mischel	....	negative cutter
Michael Norris	....	assistant editor
Richard J. Rossi	....	assistant editor (as Richard Rossi)
John Schoos	....	assistant editor
Anezka Sebek	....	assistant editor
Richard Smigielski	....	assistant editor
Jim Finn	....	negative cutter (uncredited)

Music Department
Jay Chattaway	....	music arranger
Jay Chattaway	....	music producer
Mark Colby	....	musician: saxophone solos
David Michael Frank	....	electronic music realizations (as David M. Frank)
Alec Head	....	music engineer
Pete Levin	....	electronic music realizations (as Peter Levin)
Dan Pinsky	....	music supervisor
Frank Zubeck	....	music coordinator

Transportation Department
James Fanning	....	driver
Ben Salomone	....	transportation captain
Dennis Salomone	....	driver

Other crew
Annie Allman	....	production assistant (as Ann Allman)
Dan Burkarth	....	production assistant
Alyce Conrad	....	script supervisor
Nicholas Demetroules	....	production consultant
Georgia Gresham	....	location assistant
Michael Irene	....	production assistant
Jason Lustig	....	production assistant
Scott MacQueen	....	utility man
Aggie Mondorf	....	production assistant
Dale Oprandy	....	production assistant
David Sardi	....	production assistant
Eric P. Steckler	....	production assistant (as Eric Steckler)
Jay Tobias	....	production assistant
Edward Tomaselli	....	production assistant
Ian Woolf	....	production assistant (as Ian Foster Woolf)
Steven Wren	....	location assistant

Thanks
Peter Savage	....	dedicatee: with love and respect to the memory of

Production Companies

• Magnum Motion Pictures Inc.

Distributors

• Anchor Bay Entertainment (USA) (DVD)
• Another World Entertainment (2007) (Denmark) (DVD)
• Artists Releasing Corporation (ARC)
• Astro Distribution (2003) (Germany) (DVD)
• Avid Home Video (1992) (USA) (video)
• Blue Underground (2007) (USA) (DVD)
• Blue Underground (2008) (USA) (DVD) (Blu-ray)
• Cineplex-Odeon Home Video (1984) (Canada) (video)
• Exploited Film (1998) (UK) (VHS)
• Film Ventures International (FVI)
• Home Video Hellas (HVH) (1987) (Greece) (VHS)
• Interglobal Home Video (Canada) (VHS)
• Nacional Vídeo (Brazil) (VHS)
• Pan-Canadian Film Distributors (Canada)
• Pan-Canadian Video Presentations (Canada) (VHS)
• Umbrella Entertainment (2005) (Australia) (DVD)
• Vestron Video (1984) (USA) (video)

Other Companies

• Bon Bon Productions Ltd.  payroll services (as Bon Bon Productions)
• Centre Firearms Co. Inc.  weapons (as Centre Firearms)
• Cinopticals  titles and opticals
• City of New York, The  the producers wish to thank: for their cooperation in the filming of this motion picture
• East End Productions  post-production services
• General Camera Corporation  equipment (as General Camera Corp.)
• Hallen Steel  special thanks
• J&B Scotch Whisky  promotional consideration furnished by (as J&B)
• J.C. Caterers  catering
• Jack Daniels  promotional consideration furnished by
• Jordache Jeans  promotional consideration furnished by (as Jordache)
• Mayor's Office for Motion Pictures & Television  the producers wish to thank: for their cooperation in the filming of this motion picture (as The Mayor's Office of Motion Pictures and Television)
• Miller Brewing Company  promotional consideration furnished by
• New York City Department of Parks and Recreation  the producers wish to thank: for their cooperation in the filming of this motion picture (as The New York City Department of Parks)
• New York Department of Corrections  the producers wish to thank: for their cooperation in the filming of this motion picture (as The New York City Department of Corrections)
• New York State Governor's Office for Motion Picture & Television Development  the producers wish to thank: for their cooperation in the filming of this motion picture (as The Governor's Office of Motion Picture and Television Development)
• Philip Morris Cigarettes  promotional consideration furnished by (as Phillip Morris)
• San Miguel Beer  promotional consideration furnished by
• Sloan's Supermarkets  promotional consideration furnished by (as Sloans Supermarket)
• Sound One  foleys (as Sound One Corp.)
• Sound Shop  loop dialogue recording
• State of New York, The  the producers wish to thank: for their cooperation in the filming of this motion picture
• Trans / Audio  post-production facilities (as Trans/Audio, Inc.)
• White Rock  promotional consideration furnished by (as White Rock Products Corp.)

Also Known As:

"Street Fighters" - Belgium (English title) (video title)

Runtime:

90 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Certification:

Australia:MA | France:-16 | Norway:18 | UK:18 | USA:R | West Germany:18 | Iceland:16 | Finland:(Banned) (1983) (1989) | Norway:15 (uncut) (2007) (DVD) | Canada:16+ (Quebec) | Portugal:M/16 | Canada:R (Ontario)

Filming Locations:

Brooklyn, New York City, New York, USA

Company:

Magnum Motion Pictures Inc.

Trivia:

According to William Lustig, the final chase scene with Robert Forster was shot by Randy Jurgensen, who was a NYPD detective and also technical advisor on the film which was done without shooting permits. Jurgensen actually doubled for the gang leader and drove the Datsun for the majority the scene.

Quotes:

[first lines]
Nick:Hey, I don't know about you guys, but me... I've had it up to here. There are some 40-odd homicides a day on our streets. There are over two million illegal guns in this city. Man, that's enough guns to invade a whole damn country with. They shoot a cop in our city without thinking twice about it. Aw, come on. You guys ride the subway. How much more of this grief are we gonna stand for? How many more locks we gotta put on our goddamn doors? Now, we ain't got the police, the prosecutors, the courts or the prisons. I mean, it's over. The books don't balance. We are a statistic. Now, I'm tellin' ya, when you can't go to the corner store and buy a pack of cigarettes after dark... because you know the punks and scum are out there on the streets when the sun goes down, and our own government can't protect its own people, then I say this, pal: you got a moral obligation, the right of self-preservation. Now, you can run, you can hide, or you can start to live like human beings again. This is our Waterloo, baby! You want your city back? You gotta take it. Dig it? Take it!

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Video Nasties: Moral Panic, Censorship & Videotape (2010) (V)

Soundtrack:

Vigilante

The law plays second fiddle.

Director William Lustig's stirring low-cost vigilante picture is something a little more than your exploitative gung-ho revenge story, as while the material is lank and far-fetched its still implodes with some minor goods. Honestly the first time I came across it, I was left under whelmed and this can be attributed to the direction it went. The story has two sub-plots running, which would eventually come together, but the focus on one over the other really destroyed what could have a lasting impression. On one side of the coin has a small group of local vigilante's led by Nick (an inspired Fred Williamson) cleaning up punks that the law doesn't seem to want to touch and on the other side of the coin follows that of Eddie Marino (Robert Forster), a working class New Yorker coming home to find his wife has been brutally beaten and toddler killed. He's approached by Nick to join their cause, but refuses to let the justice system hand out the law, but after those who were responsible for the attack is left off with nothing but a slap on the wrists. It sees Eddie take it upon himself to hand out the punishment.

The constant shifts in the story seemed to get in the way of cooking any real sort of emotional hold. The cult actors do the best with what they got. Robert Forster's streamlined, if cold approach works and Fred Williamson's full-blooded bad-ass portrayal is nothing that's unexpected. Don Blakely and Willie Colon make for great, nasty pair of thugs. Also in the line-up are Richard Bright, Rutanya Alda, Joseph Carberry, Steve James and Carol Lynley. In brief, but welcoming inclusions are Woody Strode and Joe Spinell as a scummy lawyer.

The material is quite heavy-handed in what it's got to say on a flawed justice system, as Williamson spits out speeches about not living in fear and eventually the line between right and wrong is blurred. In the end don't read too much in to it. Lustig's pacing is on the spot and direction suitably controlled, as while not overly explicit it manages to have a brutal and gritty pulse. There are some intense interplays, and a disturbing moment or two, but in the end it's not particularly gripping like I would have hoped. It's quite underplayed in that department. Jay Chattaway's thumping score has a blaring sting and harrowing cloud that effectively balances the moods.