Back during the 1970s crime rates heavily increased across the United States, and especially within urban areas. From violent crimes to robbery, and everything in between, there was no lack of reasons one had to be extra careful walking around an inner-city area throughout the decade. Blame the political policies or the economic climate of the time, whatever it was, it was ugly and not easily forgotten.
A time which resulted in a booming vigilante styled film genre that was led by 1974’s Death Wish where Charles Bronson taking the lead, it was a cathartic release for citizens who had enough of feeling unsafe and helpless. A genre which carried over into the early ‘80s with films like 1983’s Vigilante, where this time Robert Forster took control, in 1982, another flick appeared by the name of Fighting Back.
Released in May of that year, it was an early entry from up-and-coming Director Lewis Teague; who would go on to further success with such films as 1983’s Cujo, plus 1985’s The Cat’s Eye and The Jewel of the Nile. Furthermore, Fighting Back featured a solid cast that began with lead actor Tom Skerritt (Alien 1979, Top Gun 1986), but also included a supporting cast of Patti LuPone (Witness 1985, American Horror Story: Coven series), Michael Sarrazin (They Shoot Horses, Don’t They? 1969, The Pursuit of Happiness 1971), and Yaphet Kotto (Live and Let Die 1973, Midnight Run 1988).
Coupled with a compelling enough script written by Thomas Hedley Jr and David Zelag Goodman, Fighting Back also had solid distribution behind it; being released by Paramount Pictures. So, how did it fare? Decently, but it did not blow the doors off the box office at the time when put up against mega films such as Conan the Barbarian, Porky’s, or Rocky III. Also panned by critics, sadly, Fighting Back is one of those films that have been lost somewhere in the sands of time.
One would think it might find new life in the world of physical format and home viewing, right? Well, not exactly, because it found a VHS release in 1991, but oddly never made the official jump to DVD in the 2000s. So, it made its way to DVD or Blu-ray in the 2010s, right? Wrong again. Truly a lost piece of cinema history, Arrow Video finally picked up Fighting Back for a Blu-ray release in 2023.
An exciting time for those who might have enjoyed this film back in the day, but could never find out a way to get a copy, Fighting Back hit Blu-ray on July 4th in a limited-edition format. Over forty years after the initial release, the limited-edition Arrow Video release offers you an illustrated collector’s booklet featuring new writing on the film by critics Rob Skvarla and Walter Chaw, but also features a new interview with Lewis Teague. Additionally, you get a double-sided fold-out poster with original and newly created art, as well as some other bonus features including interviews worth watching on the Blu-ray disc itself.
Nice extras, and giving this film its proper respect, the actual image quality is pretty fantastic as well. Clarified and bright, those who enjoy the grit and dirt of urban films of the ’70s and ’80s need not worry, because the atmosphere many appreciate is not lost within the transfer. In fact, much like other late ‘70s and early ‘80s films, the Blu-ray release of Fighting Back encapsulates the mood of the era quite well.
Now, if you are someone who perhaps missed Fighting Back because it has been floating around in obscurity for so long, you are in for a treat. Summarizing it briefly, the story follows John D’Angelo (Skerritt) who resides with an Italian-American populated neighborhood of Philadelphia. A stand-up guy who owns a deli in the neighborhood, D’Angelo is also a supportive husband and loving father. Unfortunately, crime has taken over the streets, there is a shortage of police support, so rather than people opting to protect themselves, they are living in fear or relocating. D’Angelo clearly thinks otherwise after being directly hurt by street criminals. Refusing to be pushed out of his home, he becomes the leader of a neighborhood watch patrol, but in the process becomes a local hero who is not afraid to really rattle the cage. Taking his life into his own hands, this character exhibits the bravery and strength many wish to have in the face of being threatened.
Perhaps this film and its theme is a bit too politically incorrect for the modern world, but it is still very relevant even four plus decades later. It provokes you to think about what would be your breaking point, what is right and what is wrong, but most importantly, that everyone has a right to protect themselves. Overall, whether you are new to Fighting Back or not, it will certainly keep your attention and it is a worthy addition to your collection. That is why Cryptic Rock gives Arrow Video’s Limited-Edition Blu-Ray release of Fighting Back 4.5 out of 5 stars.
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