An Eye for an Eye

An Eye for an Eye

Year: 1981

Runtime: 106 min

Language: English

Director: Steve Carver

ActionAdventureThrillerCrime

Set in the dangerous Katlehong underworld, a man named Caesar finds himself seeking retribution against a powerful and ruthless crime lord. He must journey through treacherous streets and nightclubs, battling to survive and maintain his freedom while carrying out his mission of vengeance.

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Timeline & Setting – An Eye for an Eye (1981)

Explore the full timeline and setting of An Eye for an Eye (1981). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

Location

San Francisco, Sulu Sea (freighter), Canfield's estate

The film unfolds against a gritty San Francisco backdrop, with its shadows, alleys, and harbor settings establishing a noir atmosphere. Key locations move from city streets to the freighter Sulu Sea, where drugs are hidden inside fireworks. The climactic confrontations unfold on the Canfield estate, highlighting a brutal convergence of crime, media power, and police pursuit.

🏙️ Urban 🕵️‍♂️ Crime 🎬 Noir

Last Updated: November 22, 2025 at 15:34

Main Characters – An Eye for an Eye (1981)

Meet the key characters of An Eye for an Eye (1981), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Sean Kane (Chuck Norris)

A determined undercover narcotics cop who sinks into a relentless quest for vengeance after his partner’s murder. He is fearless and resourceful, but his fixation on revenge tests loyalty to colleagues and the law. Kane’s stoic presence masks a growing moral tension as he pursues leads through dangerous collaborations.

⚔️ Revenge 🥊 Action 🕶️ Stoic

Dave Pierce

Kane’s partner, a loyal, by-the-book detective who dies in the early assault that sets the whole vendetta in motion. His death acts as the catalyst that pushes Kane toward vengeance and the subsequent unraveling of the case. His absence haunts Kane and underscores the cost of their dangerous work.

🕵️‍♂️ Partner 💧 Loyal 🗡️ Fatal

Captain Stevens

A tough police boss who tries to keep Kane at arm’s length, preferring formal channels over vigilante justice. He later acknowledges the larger implications of the case, navigating pressure from the narcotics unit while aiming to assemble evidence for prosecution.

🏢 Authority ⚖️ Order 🕵️‍♂️ Bureaucracy

Tony Montoya

An informant whose promise to expose the drug network triggers a deadly chain of events. He’s cautious, self-preserving, and ultimately becomes collateral in a larger conspiracy. Montoya’s position highlights the danger of relying on informants who may be betrayed by the powerful.

🗺️ Informant 💥 Risk

Linda Chan

A fearless reporter who pursues truth through investigative journalism and media exposure. Her reporting drives key revelations, and her courage makes her a target in the crossfire between drug dealers and law enforcement.

📰 Reporter 🎯 Investigative 🧠 Sharp

James Chan

Linda Chan’s grieving father, a figure driven by loss who also seeks justice for his daughter. His presence emphasizes the personal stakes behind the pursuit of criminal networks and the toll it takes on families.

👨‍👧 Father 🕊️ Grief

Heather Sullivan

A news editor and Linda Chan’s ally who provides support and access to the media side of the investigation. She helps protect and propel Kane and Linda’s efforts, contributing strategic insight and courage to face danger.

🎬 Editor ally 💡 Determined

Tom McCoy

A detective who starts as an ally but is revealed to be a traitor in league with Canfield. His betrayal culminates in a rooftop confrontation where Kane confronts him, underscoring the theme that betrayal can come from within.

🧭 Detective 🗡️ Betrayal

Nicky LaBelle

Montoya’s boss and a key figure in the drug operation who reluctantly reveals Montoya’s location. He embodies the choking grip of money and power on illegal networks, and his cooperation is a thin line between survival and complicity.

💰 Corruption 🕵️‍♂️ Power broker

The Professor

The brute-force assassin employed by the drug network, known for his physical prowess and relentless approach. Kane faces off against him in a brutal, high-stakes fight that showcases the film’s physical intensity and threat from the criminals’ enforcers.

🗡️ Assassin 🛡️ Brute strength

Morgan Canfield

Editor-in-chief and suspected ringleader whose influence extends into corrupting information and protecting the drug network. He becomes a central target when the undercover investigation threatens his interests, culminating in his capture thanks to the discovered tape.

💼 Elite 🔒 Power broker

Last Updated: November 22, 2025 at 15:34

Major Themes – An Eye for an Eye (1981)

Explore the central themes of An Eye for an Eye (1981), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🗡️ Revenge

Sean Kane’s pursuit of vengeance for his partner’s death drives the plot, pushing him to operate outside standard police protocols. The narrative follows the intoxicating pull of revenge as it consumes personal relationships and blinds the line between justice and retaliation. This obsession fuels dangerous choices and near-misses with the law.

💰 Corruption

The story exposes corruption at multiple levels, from drug rings to the media’s power brokers. Canfield’s alleged leadership and the mole within law enforcement show how money can corrupt motives and obstruct truth. Trust frays as those in power manipulate information to protect their interests.

📰 Media & Truth

Linda Chan’s investigative reporting and the possession of a revealing tape demonstrate how media can uncover or threaten to expose criminal networks. The film contrasts the pursuit of truth with the self-interest of editors and executives who may be implicated. Public exposure becomes a weapon that changes the course of the investigation.

Last Updated: November 22, 2025 at 15:34

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An Eye for an Eye Timeline

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