ARCHIVE SUMMARY REVIEW OF 'VIGILANTE' WITH FRED WILLIAMSON

title: VIGILANTE  year: 1983 cast: Robert Forster, Fred Williamson, Richard Bright, Joe Carberry, Richard Bright, Willie Colon, Joe Spinell, Frank Pesce, Vincent Beck

rating: ****

The trio of vigilantes, sort of a neighborhood watch that kicks ass, are Fred Williamson, Richard Bright, and Joseph Carberry (SHORT EYES). The gang of vicious cold-blooded blood-thirsty thugs include shit-talkin' leader Willie Colin and henchman Don Blakley. And everyman machinist father/husband Robert Forster, friends with the (secret) vigilante group, is in denial about how bad society is until his child and wife are attacked by the gang. Everything collides wonderfully in this exploitation-DEATH WISH that delivers on every level, including street fights, prison survival, and an awesome guitar-driven soundtrack. Too classy for grindhouse and too gritty for mainstream, this is the perfect synergy of blood, guts, guns, and best of all, sweet revenge.