Fighting Back

Philadelphia television reporters describe a surge of street violence beginning after President Kennedy's assassination in 1963. The city is portrayed as increasingly unsafe as crime spreads through neighborhoods. The opening montage sets a grim backdrop for the story.

While driving with his wife Lisa, John encounters Eldorado, a brutal pimp, who targets one of his prostitutes. Eldorado's attack leads to a violent pursuit that leaves Lisa injured and their unborn baby dead. The incident becomes a catalyst for John's later actions.

John's mother Vera is ambushed in the neighborhood as robbers attempt to steal her wedding ring. The assault underscores the ongoing danger in the community. The incident motivates John to act for safety.

John gathers neighbors to form the People's Neighborhood Patrol (PNP), a civilian vigilante group. They wear blue hats and vests, set up a headquarters, and take phone calls; Vince Morelli, a police officer, joins as the partner. The PNP's presence marks a shift toward organized citizen action.

The D'Angelo home is burglarized and their dog is killed, escalating fear in the community. The media silhouette also appears through a montage, showing Imperiale and other vigilante activities, amplifying public attention. With Vince's help, the police allow the PNP to patrol.

The PNP enters a notorious bar to confront criminals associated with Eldorado. John confronts the bartender, triggering a brutal brawl in which the PNP gains the upper hand. The incident introduces the group to the neighborhood and signals their willingness to use force.

As violence declines or changes, the media attention increases and the neighborhood rallies around the PNP. The group begins taking out street criminals, reshaping the local crime landscape. Public opinion shifts in favor of the vigilantes, despite concerns about legality.

John meets Ivanhoe Washington, a black vigilante leader who questions his methods. Ivanhoe presents two mugged men, one white and one black, forcing John to confront accusations of racial discrimination. John retaliates by beating the black suspect, illustrating the tension and moral compromise in the movement.

With broad media attention, John decides to run for city council. His bid capitalizes on the PNP's notoriety and the public desire for safer streets. The campaign mirrors the blurred line between vigilantism and political ambition.

Vince Morelli is gunned down in an act of retaliation by Eldorado and his gang. John's grief hardens into resolve to confront the criminal empire. The town mourns as the crime wave intensifies.

The PNP converges on a park where Vince's killers are present, demanding that criminals clear out. When their demands are ignored, they use force to clear the park, sparking a large brawl. Police arrive, and John chases Eldorado but is tackled and arrested.

John meets the Police Commissioner, who hints that Eldorado is beyond the reach of regular arrest. The Commissioner suggests John can understand the politics of favors and that he will owe him if he wins office. The exchange reveals the corruption entangled with law enforcement.

Having the Commissioner's implied permission, John surveils Eldorado's car from a rooftop. He drops a grenade through the vehicle's roof, blowing up the car and killing Eldorado and his men. The act substitutes for formal arrest and marks John's break from the legal system.

John's campaign culminates in an election victory, and the deli becomes the scene of a celebratory gathering with family and supporters. The PNP is credited with cleaning up the neighborhood, though the vigilante methods remain controversial. The community marks the transition from street-level justice to political power.

In the closing shot, children play in the once crime-ridden park that the PNP had policed. The neighborhood appears safer and more hopeful, signaling the cost and consequences of vigilantism. The film ends on a note of fragile restoration and civic change.