Fighting Back (1982) Movie Script

What is this?
That's it.
Well, take it back
to where he is in the square.
Where does he get shot?
We never
see him get shot.
What do you mean
you don't see?
I thought you said
it was in here.
I thought they had it.
I can't use this.
This is ridiculous.
Wait a minute.
Do we have any stills?
- What we have is...
- Italian television.
We have a still frame
of the gun.
I can't believe it.
Punch it up, would you?
- Can you blow it up more?
- Yes.
You can take
that still frame,
put in the shot
of the Pope before he's hit,
insert this still frame,
and after he's hit.
Okay, uh, could you punch up
the opening?
I'd like to take a look at it.
Right.
Recent FBI statistics show
an alarming increase
in the crimes of murder,
rape, and robbery
up 536% since this man
was killed in Dallas.
Up 536% since that
terrible November
when violence went public
in America's living rooms.
He's shot. Get the gun!
No one is safe
in this world.
No one, absolutely no one.
Today, a special report.
The killing of the Dream.
This is Michael Taylor
with the real story
on violence in America.
You know the rest?
- No.
- Me neither.
Bravo! Bravo!
Hey.
Fits you all right. Yeah.
Nice hat.
What good's
an Italian cowboy?
I'm not gonna make
Spaghetti Westerns.
Jesus Christ!
What are you doing
with that stuff?
What the hell?
You can get it in Denver!
You know you can only get
good provolone in the south.
What's the matter with you?
- You write me a nice letter,
I'll send you
some good cheese.
Oh, my God.
He's gonna start an
Italian deli in Denver,
What are you doing out here
like this?
Come on, button up here.
It's too cold.
I came to get some fresh air.
That's no good for the baby
- You gonna be warm enough?
- Uh-huh.
Johnny.
Why don't we have
this baby in Colorado?
- In the woods?
- Yeah, in the woods.
In the Rocky Mountains.
- Au naturel.
- It'll be spiritual.
Well, what do you say?
Hey, now, Danny, you got room
for one more in that box?
Three more. Four more!
Marianne.
Marianne.
Come on, let's go.
Bye.
Marianna, Marianna!
Danny, get up. Say goodbye.
I saw him here in
front of 250,000 people.
I'm glad he got shot
in Rome.
What do you mean
you're glad he got shot?
What is that?
- You know what I mean.
I'm glad he didn't
get shot here.
Everybody gets shot here.
Same old goddamn shit.
Shit!
Hey! Hey!
- Hey!
- Hey, forget it.
- Forget it?
- Come on!
Animal.
Get off of her!
What the hell was
going on here?
Get out of here!
Back off!
And you better stay out of
people's affairs, you understand?
Like hell I will.
Especially when you're
beating up on a woman.
Hey, it's none of your
fucking business, bitch.
Get in the car!
John, they're following us.
They're crazy, Dad.
We're almost home.
- John?
- No, John, don't use it.
Lisa!
Stay where you are!
Go get Harry!
is the baby, John?
Baby, man.
- John. John.
- Harry, I don't know what the hell to do.
Calm down, please.
Lisa, Honey.
Where does it hurt, honey?
My stomach. I think
I'm in labor, Harry.
Come on. We got to
take her to the hospital.
Harry,
she's bleeding.
- We'll take my car.
- She is hemorrhaging.
Hi, baby,
John.
I am so sorry.
Oh, God, it's all...
I love you, baby.
It's a lighter taste,
yet not bland.
Very reminiscent of
the northern style of cooking,
as opposed to the heavy-gas
spicy style of the Southern land.
- Is that right?
- Yes, of all the country.
You use sauce in
your household, Mr. Donizetti?
No need to answer that.
Compliments of the Groaner
Manufacturing Company.
Here is some samples.
You carry this,
and it's going to move.
- I'll put that on your tab, Mr. Donati.
Sure, you want to
think this over.
Here's my card.
Mr. D'Angelo, in case
you decide...
I got one word
for you, son.
Quality.
Well, that's exactly
the thing
our product has
is quality.
- I'll be hearing from you.
- All right.
Yeah, I'm sure you will.
God, somebody
should tell that guy
how bad business
really is around here.
Yeah, well, business is bad
'cause people like the Nardinis
keep moving out.
I'll tell you
something, Frank.
Running don't solve a thing.
Come on, Danny.
Walk your grandma home.
Hey. Hey, whenever
do I need a babysitter?
Momma, don't start, huh?
you know I don't want you
walking home alone.
I know how to
take care of myself.
Will you
get your jacket on?
Come on. How many
times do I have to tell you?
I want your grandma...
I'll tell you what I'll do.
I'll walk Danny home.
Come on,
Danny, let's go.
Straight home now.
You don't go out
to any bars now, Ma.
Don't be stupid.
Dad said straight home, Grandma.
I gotta go
for my prescription.
Don't move, motherfucker!
Stay down!
Do as he says, Vera!
Stay down! Or I'll
blow your fucking nuts off!
What are you doing?
Raggedy motherfuckers!
Stay there.
Mama?
Don't just stand there.
Call a fucking ambulance!
Right behind there!
Mama!
Oh!
Oh!
The assailants
were Black, huh?
Yeah, we got
the license plate, too.
Yeah, we checked that.
- Yeah?
- Car was stolen.
What are you gonna
do about it?
I'm doing
all I can do about it.
Hey, look, we waited 45 minutes
for the ambulance.
That's 45 minutes!
My mother waited on the floor
for 45 minutes, Vince.
So what the hell is that?
You know what our
problem is over here?
You know what kind of shortage
we got with police?
I don't give a shit
about your problems!
This is my mother
we're talking about here!
You want to
talk to him, Vince?
John, believe me, look,
there was a response
as soon as the call came in.
- Son of a bitch.
Look, we understand
how you feel.
- We know what your problem is.
- You understand nothing.
Now this is the reality
of my life.
My wife is on one floor
and my mother is on the other!
You tell me
what I should think
about the goddamn
police department, huh.
John, Vera is
going to be all right.
It looks like Harry Janelli
is going to pull through.
Thank God for that.
Yeah, well, I'm gonna
have to thank God for that.
Because I sure as fuck can't
thank the police department.
Let's go.
Yeah, where the fuck
you been? Vacation?
We gotta get out of here.
There's just
no question anymore.
You'll wake her up.
John. Listen to me.
We have to move.
Moving is out of the question.
Nobody makes me move.
Well, what are
we gonna do?
You tell me.
I don't want to
talk about it.
Sons of bitches!
It was more than
just hit and run.
My baby was killed,
for Christ's sake.
I know, John. What can I tell you?
The guy made his bail.
He was in and out
in two hours.
Well, that's wrong
for Christ sakes!
He knows
all kinds of shit.
Look, the guy's got a
complaint file all to himself.
I can't touch him.
It's like trying to bust the
mayor, for Christ's sakes.
Sergeant said to me, "Morelli,
what are you doing
"wasting your time?
Do your job.
"Stop messing with
the Mickey Mouse."
Mickey Mouse?
Does that look like
Mickey Mouse out there?
Look at those fuckers.
They own the park.
There's a guy who's
pushing dope right now.
Go on over there.
If you can't handle him,
you got two guys
with a hot stereo over there.
Get out that horse of yours
and arrest 'em right now.
I can't do it, John.
It wouldn't stand up.
What are you telling me?
I'm chicken. Okay?
I'll give you that.
It used to be
such a beautiful park.
Old Uncle Charlie.
Boy.
Take your life
in your hands now
if you walk
through that park.
Now, this...
What's his name, huh?
I don't remember him.
Guy with the thing on.
What's your problem?
Goddamn it!
Did you burn yourself?
Let me see that.
Don't touch me.
Get away from me.
- I'm just trying to help you for Christ's sake.
- John.
If you love me,
how can you keep me here?
- What are you talking about?
- I don't understand it.
I don't deserve
to live this way.
Your mother doesn't
deserve to live this way.
- What's wrong with the way you live?
- Please listen to me.
Please, just once.
Listen to me, please.
We have to move.
Please.
Please!
I love you, baby.
I love you too.
But you've got to get
your priorities straight.
If you don't get us out
of here, I swear to God,
I'm going to take Danny
and I'm going to leave you.
Please. You gotta
give me time.
Just give me time.
Okay?
Look at that.
What?
That's it.
That's the son of a bitch.
That's it.
That's that son of a bitch
that chased us and ran into us.
- I think you're right.
- Look at the fender on it.
Look, I'll tell you what,
I'm going to call the station,
get some police over here.
John, Don't go
in there. John.
Hey, hey.
John, let's get out of here.
Come on.
John?
John.
Get out of here!
I said get out of here!
Who out?
Well, well, well.
If it ain't Little Italy.
Messing in other people's
affairs again, huh?
John!
You know what they say about a
man that can't control his woman?
He can't control
his bowels either.
He shits in his pants.
John! Drop that!
Get out of here!
Get out here!
All right.
All right.
Let go!
Come on, man!
- Drop that gun, John!
- That son of a bitch, I'll kill him.
Give me that gun!
- Give me the gun.
- Son of a bitch
put Lisa in
a hospital.
- That son of a bitch killed my baby!
- Calm down!
John, you cannot go around
shooting up bars!
All right?
Now we're gonna
call the police.
What the hell you
trying to do anyway?
Get us both killed?
What the...
Jesus Christ!
John, let him go!
Son of a bitch!
John? John?
Most of us work.
How are we
going to find time?
I can't hear you, Frank.
Hey, Frank wants to talk.
Come on, let him talk.
Quiet, will ya?
John, I said most of us work.
How are we going to find time?
All right, we got to
find the time.
We got to figure out
how to do it.
Because families can't go
out on the street no more.
People is talking about
moving on. What is that?
What we've got to do is scare
some respect into the punks.
Hey, John, these guys
don't scare that easy, man.
We're not trained
in that kind of stuff.
Somebody mentioned before
something about a citizen's arrest.
I don't know anything about
making a citizen's arrest,
but I'm sure that there's
some kind of legality involved.
No, he's right.
According to the law,
you cannot take a suspect
into the station.
In making a citizen's arrest,
you have to wait
until an officer
arrives on the scene.
I guess that means I'll be
standing around all the time waiting.
- Hey, come on.
- Excuse me...
That's the point. These guys got
more work than they can handle.
So we get together a citizens
group and help them out.
That's what we're
talking about,
because they can't
do it all.
This whole idea is ridiculous.
At least it's about time
they do something like this.
Look what happened
to poor Mrs. D'Angelo.
It's a shame.
It's a shame?
It's appalling!
I don't understand why
any of us are still living here.
What else
are we gonna do?
This is our home.
Yes. And we're
established here.
Good night.
...on the streets.
I mean, other neighborhoods
are doing it, why can't we?
Excuse me, Vince,
can we carry guns?
Well, half of
you guys do carry guns.
Unlicensed.
The fact is, if you're
going to be exercising
your constitutional rights
by making a citizen's arrest,
pointing a gun
at that suspect's head
would not be construed
as self-defense.
You know what I mean? It would
fall into what they call a gray area.
Well, I'm going to hold on
to my gray area.
Which I notice you're getting
a little more up on these days.
All right. A little bit.
- John.
- Hey, quiet down!
Les wants to talk.
What do you want to say, Les?
John, I just
want to say, um...
I've got a lot of reasons for not
getting involved in any of this,
and I think you understand
what I mean.
But, uh, that cleaners...
My father worked real hard for them.
He's absolutely right.
And the last time they got robbed,
they roughed up Gene
and, well, I just back you
all the way.
What do you want me to do?
Hey, that's great.
That's great. Yeah.
Yeah. Vince and I, we grew
up in that park across the street.
How many of your kids go
over there and play now? Huh?
My kids don't go
near that place.
All of you got lives
in this community here.
All of you got lives here.
Because it's your life
I'm talking about here.
- What are you gonna do?
- I agree with that.
I draw the line.
Well, John,
you convinced me, pal.
I'm with you all the way.
I don't know about these
guys over here, but you got me.
What are you talking about?
What guys are you talking about?
Hey, John, we got to do it
right like you said, though.
All right.
Let's see a raise
of hands, huh? Come on.
Come on! Come on!
Where?
That's it, come on.
Hey, Mr. Moresco is with us,
both fists. Huh?
Heads up!
Here, here.
Just watch it.
What about this section?
Shouldn't it be smaller, Vince?
I mean, that's the main
problem area.
- It's a blow up, John.
- Yeah...
It's only eight blocks up here,
and about 12 down here.
I'm going to lay out
the other patrol areas
in here.
- Okay.
In here, we'll have radio
contact with headquarters.
I showed you how
we do the compressions.
Then we go back
and do the airway,
and everybody had a lot of fun.
Now, who's going to do it?
Who's gonna be the first guy
to return the demonstration?
I think
I know this girl.
You have an unconscious victim.
I'm on the scene.
What's the first thing you're gonna do?
- First thing I'm gonna do,
I'm gonna deflate her,
put her in my pocket,
take her to the car,
blow her up in the driveway.
- What's the first thing you're gonna do?
- I'm gonna yell in her ears.
Let me see you do it.
Hey, lady, get up!
Will you? Get up!
Shake her shoulders
a little bit.
Not that... Not so hard,
not so hard.
You gotta shake...
I give her four breaths
in her mouth.
- Yeah, it's good.
- All right? Four breaths.
Ugh! that would
kill anybody.
I think she's alive,
look!
She's sticking her
tongue in my mouth.
Yeah, I swear to God,
I love you, too.
Hey, how's your arm?
How are you?
It looks pretty good. Will you
hold that for a minute?
- What's this?
- That's a bottle.
- For what?
- Hit that thing, give it a name.
You're kidding me!
I christen thee...
Looks like a battering ram.
It's a nice, quiet
little sedan, Vince.
Little Miley's
driven by a little old lady.
- Too much, John.
- Half-price.
I'm telling you,
it's too much.
Hey, John, what's Vince
so pissed about?
I don't know. He thinks you shouldn't
drive around tanks or something, I guess.
What does he expect?
Hey, Morelli,
come on back here.
I want to give you a ride
in my tank here.
Don't give me that.
I'd say a girl scout.
You've got an honest face.
I'll give you good credit.
I think it's time to introduce ourselves,
gentlemen, to the community,
leave a calling card,
and I think
the place to do it,
is a bar.
Right now we're gonna go
down there and we're gonna
rejuvenate the place
we've got,
take down some
wallpaper samples,
redecorate a little bit.
So you're going down,
have a good time.
- I want to play some pool.
- You wanna play some pool.
Here's your pool.
I wanna do a little...
Anybody want chops of wood?
Um, I'm using my hand,
I'll use the hands, that's all.
Come on over here, Ben.
John, it's funny, but I don't
think I've heard a word you said.
As a matter of fact, I don't think
Tom and I are even here tonight.
But, have a good time, huh.
- I understand.
- All right, Vince.
- Come on, let's go.
- Come on, let's go.
Hey, give me a beer!
Not you again.
Me again.
You come to pay us
what you owe us?
Hey, Leroy.
He literally came here
to pay us what he owes us.
I've come
to ask your help.
Shit! The man wants some help.
Give it to him.
What kind of help
you want?
Well, somebody hurt my mom at
Janelli's drug store up in Lincoln Street,
I thought you might
just know who did it.
Hey, brothers!
Anyone hurt his mama?
Nobody laughs at my mama.
You son of a bitch!
Agh!
Kung fu!
What do you think, John?
I'll leave the walls?
Leave the walls.
Hey!
Hey!
Come up here!
Look at me.
My name is John D'Angelo.
I run an Italian deli,
and I make the best
hot perro in town!
Haha! Come on,
let's go and have a beer!
- What's up?
- She won't open the door.
Mama, mama!
Are you sure she's here?
Yes, I can see her
in the window.
- Vera.
- Mama!
- Vera, please open the door.
- What about the back door?
- It's locked.
- What's the point of all this?
Mama,
come on out here,
unlock the door,
we've got groceries out here.
Come on. This is crazy!
I'm going crazy here.
Who wouldn't go crazy
in this place?
The whole neighborhood
has gone crazy.
All right, mama, I want
to take you out for a walk,
get you some fresh air.
Now, come on!
Better get the priest.
I'll drop you off
at the bus stop, huh?
I'm getting a little
tired myself.
Wait, wait, wait, wait, wait.
You see that?
- What is that?
- Where?
Right over there,
in the building.
- The warehouse?
Yeah, that ain't
no barbecue.
Let's check that out.
- Yeah, let's go.
- Hey, wake up, you guys!
Hey!
Frank, get on the radio,
get the fire department,
and the cops right away.
Uh, we're at 2700
American Avenue.
We need the fire department here.
The place is burning up.
Headquarters 10-4.
Also, we need the police department.
I think it's an arson.
Okay, you got it.
Forget it, Bill. Come on,
let's get back inside.
Drop it.
- John, I'll go check with Frank.
- All right.
Holy shit!
John, you all right?
I'm right behind.
Are you all right, Johnny?
You're okay?
You're sure
this guy just fell?
Yeah, yeah, he fell.
Yeah, well, the man
says he was pushed.
- He fell. He fell from up there.
- Okay.
I'm gonna have to take us in
for obstructing justice.
Ah, come on, Sarge,
that won't flow.
Just exercising my
constitutional rights, huh?
Well, we'll just
have to see, all right?
- Which one of you guys want to come with me?
- Me, I'll go.
No. No, I'll go.
I know how to handle these things.
Yeah, okay,
I want to go, too.
I'm sure these people are
a pain in the ass, gentlemen,
but I don't see that they've
done anything that's illegal.
Oh, no, Chief, there's nothing illegal
about throwing a man off a fire escape.
- That's not a crime.
- Where's your proof?
All right. What about the
interfering with police procedure?
There are certain
civil prerogatives.
I'll tell you what?
Keep your eye on him.
If they break any laws,
book 'em.
All right. What do you want to do
about our guys running around with him?
That's a problem.
Keep an eye out
for irregularities.
Danny, get the
groceries, please.
All right.
What?
I don't know.
Lucky!
Lucky, come here, boy!
Lucky!
Is John D'Angelo there?
This is his wife.
He's on patrol.
Well, please radio him, uh...
Our house has been destroyed.
- Can you hang on?
- Yes.
Danny?
Danny?
Danny?
Danny?
Danny?
Mom, what is it?
Just turn around, honey.
Danny, come downstairs.
Come downstairs, Danny!
Come on. Don't fight me now.
Just come down the stairs.
Come on. Come on.
Just stay here. Sit down.
Sit down and don't move.
Just don't move!
You all right?
I want you to get
those bastards, John.
What happened?
Jesus Christ,
what happened?
Go upstairs,
to the bathroom.
This is
Tony Imperiale in Newark.
This is ten years
after the Newark riots.
There was this piece of fat guy
with the gun, and his buddies.
They used to drive around in cars,
patrolling the neighborhood,
and he started the North Ward
Citizen's committee.
They had self-defense
classes, karate.
One! Two! Three! Four!
And here he is now.
Just listen to him.
This is really something.
If the law
cannot control it
because the mayor
will not make them,
then it is time for us under the
constitution to defend ourselves.
to the limit!
This is Imperiale
at target practice.
Also, women, target practice,
and, of course, Ney York,
The Guardian Angels,
Beverly Hills
self-defense class.
Ladies of Beverly Hills learning
how to protect themselves.
- Okay, you can cut it there.
- Cut take, please.
Michael, this stuff's
fascinating,
but this whole vigilante
movement's scary.
It's very effective.
Yeah, for all
the wrong reasons.
I'd like you to talk
to this guy.
He seems to be establishing
quite a following.
I'd like that.
Remember, Dad,
we have to be home at 7:30.
Why?
The hockey game tonight.
Ah, how could I forget it?
Listen, can we do it next week?
- I got to get going.
- The tickets are for tonight!
Yeah, I know.
Maya, go with him.
I can't go with him.
I gotta be home by dark.
- You gotta go!
- I can't.
- John!
- Ask your mom.
- She's coming.
- John!
Your mother won't open
her door again.
Oh, God, why me?
John, you're not leaving this street
until you go inside and take care...
What the hell do
you expect me to do?
You're her son.
Uh, look, guys...
The game starts at30.
Look, I... I can't.
I'm late. They're expecting me.
Call Father Leone.
John! John!
Hey, John,
what's happening?
Looks like I'm at a dead end with these
sons of bitches who hurt my mother.
I mean, from this neighborhood,
somebody would have spotted him for sure.
Hmm.
Well, I think they might be
from this area in here.
There's been a lot of stickups
there with the same M.O.
- Yeah?
- Yeah.
Ski masks, stolen car,
hitting mostly drug stores.
Ivanhoe Washington's
territory, huh?
Yeah, he's got
a patrol, too.
Yeah.
Well, maybe you should try
and arrange a meeting.
He might be able
to help you.
Ivanhoe Washington
help me?
Every 24 minutes, someone
gets murdered in this country.
- What else?
- Yeah, well,
at least we got our facts
in common, huh.
Let me tell you something
right now.
We've got
nothing in common.
I'm a novelist
and a community leader.
You're a shopkeeper
and some kind of vigilante.
We've got nothing in common.
Hey, wait a minute. I'm helping my
people, you're helping your people.
- No one's helping anybody.
- We're helping our people!
We're helping
our people, aren't we?
You're up in arms
against the poor.
I'm trying to
help the poor.
Oh, hey, well,
all right, all right.
- We all get together, huh?
- Okay, let's take it from the top.
- We cooperate.
- Five, six, seven, eight!
- Now, come on!
- Relax, John.
Extend those arms.
- Relax, John.
- Don't bunch up, don't bunch up.
Hey, Washington!
Goddamn it! I don't have
any more time than you!
Come here,
so I can talk!
- Hold it, Johnson.
- I'm talking to you!
Goddamn it, I don't have
any more time than you!
Now give me an answer!
Don't come yelling
in this studio.
Don't you ever
do it again.
This is my studio.
I'll talk to you.
I'll tell you this
right to your face.
These, uh, statistics and these
crimes you're talking about,
that are being committed by people
who live below the poverty line,
These people happen
to be Black people.
- So, don't come in here talking...
- Hey, wait a minute.
- Wait a minute, punks are punks,
- I'm telling you...
- Whether your punks or my punks,
- I'm telling you to your face.
- Punks don't have no...
- I'm telling it to you to your face,
we are not talking
about punks.
We are talking about
Black people.
And the problem is a lot
more serious than punks,
or the fact that your mother
got a finger hacked off.
- Now get out of the way!
- Take it easy, man.
Don't tell me to fucking
take it easy!
- Do you know what's happened to my mother?
- Don't tell me!
Relax, John.
You don't come in here
tell me to take it easy!
- John, take it easy, man.
- We're talking about problems in the street.
- You control what's going on.
- Just stop, now! Stop, please!
You control what
happened to my mother.
- You control what happened to my family!
- Five, six,
seven, eight!
- I lost my family, man!
- I lost my baby!
- Let's go, band.
That's it!
Extend those arms.
- Come on, man, forget it, let's go.
- Those drums, let's get it up.
That's it.
Let me tell you
something, D'Angelo,
let me tell you
something right now!
You wanna know
the truth?
You're naive.
Number two,
you're fucking racist.
- Now, get out!
- That's not called for, Washington.
- Get the colored guy out.
- Shut up!
Oh boy, oh boy, something's
going on at the Top Hat.
Mike, there's always something
going on at the Top Hat.
Somebody help me!
Somebody
help me, here!
Help me! Please help me!
- I don't know what's going on!
- I got an idea.
What the hell happened?
That son of a bitch
shot my old man!
Now, get John!
It's a Code 3.
Send the ambulance,
and send John if he's around.
- Code 3.
- Headquarters 10-4.
John!
Loot at that arrogant son of a bitch
just standing there.
How could you
people do this?
How can you people
just stand there?
- Wait a minute. Hey, hey, hey!
- Somebody call the fucking cops!
- Shut your fucking yap.
- Come on.
I'll tear your tits off,
you dirty bitch!
You're dead, you bastard!
You're dead!
All right, all right,
I'm all right, I'm all right!
I'm all right!
I'm all right!
I swear to God...
And I'm gonna get
your little sneaky boyfriend!
Come on over here!
It's getting real ugly here.
And the guy that did the shooting
is still hanging around.
I've already called the cops.
They're on their way.
We'll be there in a second,
with an ambulance. Just hold tight.
Come on over here,
you fucking cunt!
- I'll rip your fucking head off!
- Fucking bitch!
Hey paco. Get the fuck out
of our neighborhood.
All right, John, we got
a guy down over here.
- Batman and Robin.
- And, that's the guy who did the shooting.
Dirty son of a bitch!
I'll kill you!
You lost him,
you dumb shit!
Hey, motherfucker!
You wanna come back here?
Motherfucking shit!
Hey, don't worry about it.
Just a pimp car.
It's pretty good.
Exercising your
constitutional rights, huh?
Danny, get your coat on.
John, what about
Mrs... Carter's order?
I'll be right there.
What about the pasta?
I gotta get the kid to school.
What about opening up
the store?
We're opening right now.
Go out.
Ah, this is crazy.
What are you doing,
Giuseppe, what is this?
I am here...
We're here to...
To thank you and to
have some espresso coffee
and to show you our support
for what you do for us.
This man,
he gave us back our streets.
We love him.
We love him.
We love him.
We love you.
We love you.
Wait, wait.
- This...
- Don't worry about that.
No, wait, wait.
I got to make a speech, now.
What do you got here?
- Oh.
- God bless you!
Viva l'Italia!
What's in there?
A Cracker Jack.
Huh?
That's beautiful.
You put...
Look, how... Look.
One of my...
gave him the flag.
Hurray for...
Hurray for John!
Well, you want some espresso,
go on, back there.
There's a little Sambuca too.
Go on, help yourself.
Let's go. Let's go.
That must have been
a very special moment for you.
Hey, you're on TV, aren't you?
Channel Six, Sara Rogers.
And I'd like you to join me for an
interview on the Michael Taylor Show.
Well, I don't know.
John, I don't think so.
We just opened the store,
we have a lot of work to do.
It won't take any time.
Well, how long?
The crew's right here.
We can go right outside.
Right out here?
Right out front.
How long will it take?
No time.
Two or three questions.
Oh, I see, yeah.
Yeah. Yeah.
That sounds
pretty good. Yeah.
Okay.Okay, I'll do that.
Okay?
John.
Huh?
I'm gonna go
to the movies.
What are you
talking about?
It's not even 8 o'clock
in the morning.
I'm going to a matinee.
What about all that stuff
in the kitchen?
It's not my job, man.
Yeah.
The fact is
you're a vigilante.
No, vigilantes save people,
we don't do that.
We're just exercising our
constitutional rights, Ms. Rogers.
I'm just saying that when
you take the law into your...
No, no, wait a minute.
Wait a minute.
Some guy comes into
my neighborhood and I don't
care what color he is,
but he comes here
to rob and mug.
He's taking the law in his
hands and he's breaking it.
I take the law in my hands,
I'm on the right side of the law.
That's... That's an
interesting distinction.
You walk
a delicate line.
Delicate? Well, that's not something
we use in this neighborhood.
Do you want to know
what delicate is?
We look around.
Just go on, look around here.
See what delicate is here.
In the park there or...
You want to take a look
over the park?
Get out of the way.
Get the camera over there
and look over there.
Look over there.
That's delicate.
That's what we call delicate.
- This is very good.
- Brothers beating on brothers.
It's a city of brotherly love.
Now, if the agencies of this city
cannot protect the rights of my children
to live in this neighborhood,
then we as parents,
we reserve the right
to protect the rights
of our children,
whatever way we can
and that's that.
You really think
he's after your seat?
I think this guy is very shrewd.
That's what I think.
It looks to me like he's building
a power base for himself.
Al.
With all due respect, this guy
couldn't care less for your seat.
A man like John D'Angelo
has no use
for the whole concept
of City Hall.
Now that's bullshit,
Commissioner.
That's what that is.
You know, there's
a whole tradition
of political ambition
from these guys,
these vigilantes
in this country.
It's always been like that.
Let me ask you something.
You ever hear of a guy by the name
of Colonel William Lynch from Virginia?
Hmm? It's the guy that invented
lynching, and you know what?
He went on
to a political career.
Oh, Jesus, Al,
we understand how you feel.
But there's nothing illegal
about what he's done.
I helped both you guys
get where you are today.
Now I want you to
stop this guy.
Somehow.
This business is all about
favors, Commissioner.
Remember?
You owe me a couple.
John D'Angelo, right?
- Yeah.
- I'm Councilman Brusco.
Right.
You know, you've been a real
inspiration to our constituency.
I got to hand it to you.
Thanks.
You ever need anything, I want you to
know my office is always open to you.
Good to know.
I'll see you.
I'm going to get right
to the point, John.
We have reports
on your activities.
Frankly,
we're not happy.
Yeah, what kind
of report?
We know you're not adverse to beat
the living shit out of your suspects.
Hey, what the hell
are you talking about?
You infringed on a
man's rights, Mr. D'Angelo.
Even though
that man's a criminal.
And I'm talking to you not
only as the police commissioner,
but as a Black man.
Now you do that
and you open the door
to your own rights
being infringed upon.
And when this country
gets to the point
where they forget
the Constitution,
forget where their
laws come from...
Hey, wait a minute.
What, do you want me to do?
Flash the Constitution,
when I'm looking down
the barrel of a .44 magnum?
Leave it to
the police, D'Angelo.
The police?
We've got no problem
with the police.
We've got a few of them
to ride with us.
Look, this thing is bigger
than what the police can do.
You're a goddamn fool
if you think that.
Hey, look, if I'm doing
something illegal, arrest me!
I do what I got to do!
Hey, Commissioner,
I'll tell you something.
My family breathes
a hell of a lot easier
because I'm doing
what I'm doing,
And I'll lay odds, if your
family lived in my neighborhood,
they'd breathe easier, too.
John, I want you to
consider this meeting
as two things.
An introduction.
A warning.
Now I want you to
feel free to phone me,
come and see me about this
anytime you want.
But I also want you to know
that I'm going to make
your life miserable.
I'm going to
make your life miserable,
because what
you are doing is wrong.
Nice meeting you, John.
Yeah, sure, Commissioner.
He'd never get
the Black vote.
Get him! He's got
my bag, get him!
Agh! Agh!
Don't you ever do that in this
neighborhood again, you got that?
'Cause I'm everywhere.
You understand?
All right, you tell your friends
to stay out of this neighborhood.
What is that?
What a jerk.
What is this?
I think what they need
in local government
is someone like John D'Angelo,
somebody who is responsive
to the needs of the community.
I think you'd make
a first-rate councilman.
Yeah, well,
I appreciate that. But...
dealing with the streets
is one thing and...
Well, I just don't think I'm
the political type, you know?
Well, the businessmen who put your
name forward obviously think you are.
I know you are.
You have a lot of support
in the community.
You made the ward's safe
for business again.
That's certainly
a political asset.
Yeah, well, this is really
something, you know?
I'll think about it.
Do. Do, John.
- Cigar.
- Cigar?
Thanks.
Do think about it, John.
I'd appreciate it.
You know,
men like you have
special responsibilities.
Men like you know how to
meet the challenges of life.
Can't say that about
many people today.
That's true.
Guys like me, we got
special responsibilities, Vinnie.
I mean, the problem ain't just
in the streets, you know,
it's the politicians, judges,
you know what I mean?
Councilman.
That's just the beginning,
though, Vinnie, you know.
Governor D'Angelo,
how's that sound to you?
You know something, John?
What?
You're an asshole.
Fuck this.
John, what qualifies you
to run for office?
What the hell's that
have to do with it?
Look, if I'm elected,
I can pass legislation.
I can do things we
can't do in patrol.
I know
what to do, too.
John, when was the
last time you voted?
Oh, come on, Lisa.
I don't need that now.
Come on, I didn't vote
for Brusco, I'll tell you that.
Didn't vote for him.
- Mario, keep your food on your plate...
- Hey, wake up, will you.
Come on. Get your
head out of that.
Why are you
resisting me, anyway?
What the hell is wrong with me
running for councilman?
Nothing, John,
please believe me.
Nothing, I want...
I want you
to run for office.
I want to see
the best for you.
I just want you to know
that you're neglecting me,
you're neglecting your son.
You're neglecting
your business.
- I'm not going to work double shift...
- Hey, wait a minute.
Wait a minute.
- You let me finish. You let me finish!
I'm not going to work double
shift in the deli anymore.
I'm not gonna be the man
and I'm not going to be the
woman in this relationship.
You telling me I don't do
my share around here?
I'm not telling you...
I'm not telling you
you're not doing your share.
You're just never
around anymore.
Oh, Mario.
Oh, come on.
What's with you, Mario?
You...
What's the matter
with you?
Hey, you sick?
What's the matter with you?
Open your eyes.
You on medication?
Look at his eyes.
He's on something.
- Is this your stuff?
- Dad, no.
Hey, you just sit tight!
My God, he's on smack.
You're in trouble,
Danny.
He's on smack.
Look at this.
Call his folks.
I'm all right.
Let me see.
Let me see here.
You and me are
going to have a talk.
Okay,
which one is Dusty?
He's the fat guy with
the blue coat and glasses.
He doesn't look like
a pusher to me.
What did they... What did they
use to look like in your day, Dad?
Tell the truth,
we've always been straight
with each other.
You're try
any of this shit?
No, Dad.
Well, let me
tell you something.
Mario is in
a lot of trouble.
He's okay now, but if he
continues the way he's going,
I wouldn't count
on tomorrow.
Stay here.
Agh!
Just shut up!
Just shut up.
I ever see
your business over here,
it's gonna be your ass.
You understand?
You'll get in a lot of
trouble for this Mr...
What're you going to do,
call the cops, huh?
Look, we own the cops.
Ow!
All right.
You tell me where
that shit comes from
or I'm gonna break
the other arm.
Oh, look,
there's John D'Angelo.
Hey, Mr. D'Angelo.
John D'Angelo, let me
shake your hand.
I think you're doing
a really terrific job.
- God bless you.
- I saw you on TV.
Yes, yes.
Don't go in there.
It's poison.
Lupo here?
Lupo!
Can I help you?
Dusty call ya?
Laurie, why don't you go
in the back and fix you hair?
So, you're D'Angelo, huh?
You broke his arm?
Hey, Lupo, we don't need people
like you in the neighborhood.
You're real tough, huh?
I don't want trouble.
You want trouble? You got it.
You're real fucking
tough, ain't you?
When I come back,
I don't want to find you here.
If I do, I'm going to
redecorate your face.
I'll be waiting
for you, D'Angelo.
You're mixed in
the family business here.
You just made a fucking move,
you're going to be sorry for it, boy.
'Cause you know why? You don't know
what fucking trouble is. All right, jerk?
I know what trouble is.
You don't know
what fucking trouble is.
Jerk. Click the fuck off,
asshole.
Fucking creep.
Look at the heap
he's driving.
Hey, Mr. Crusading Citizen.
You got here early, huh?
Hey, I know enough
not to be late for Mr. Donato.
You said
a mouthful there, kid.
Now, look, you've got two
minutes with him. That's it.
He means
two minutes, kid.
Down front.
Uh-uh.
Over there.
Uh, Mr. Donato?
Shh!
Go ahead.
I got this here,
People's Patrol
and we go around
the neighborhood and we...
No need to tell me,
I know about you.
Your father was
Anthony D'Angelo
a greengrocer
from Genoa.
He always wore
a red vest.
Yes.
His heart gave out.
I was sorry.
Thank you, sir.
Mr. D'Angelo, I got maybe
two minutes for you.
Tell me just one thing,
you're not using this patrol of yours
to move in on my business?
You know what I mean
by my business?
Yes, sir, I do.
Nothing wrong with
ambitious men.
I was brought up
in this neighborhood.
I know all about your
business, Mr. Donato.
Yeah. What do you want?
Well, I want to be safe and
I want my family to be safe.
It's tough
as hell out there.
Well, I don't have to
tell you that.
When you live in a nice,
big house now with the...
iron gates all around it.
But it wasn't so long ago
your family lives where I live.
What do you want?
I hear you don't
hold with dope.
Bad business, too...
emotional.
Well, this...
Captain Chicken guy sells
smack to kids in high school.
He says he's got
your protection.
I don't eat chicken.
Chickens eat chicken.
I don't hold
with cannibals.
Mr. D'Angelo,
what you're doing,
I respect.
I understand protection.
Here.
Coin from the old country.
Time between
our families.
Show it.
People will understand.
You do seem Mafioso.
Thank you, Mr. Donato.
You got it, sucker.
- No!
- Come on.
That ought to take care
of the damages.
This somebody
happens to sell dope
down the school
where our kids go!
That's not
the point, John.
What the hell
is the point?
It's the way you do things,
you're such a goddamn hot-head.
What are you talking about?
The patrol works.
He's overworked, John.
And if he keeps this up, it won't be
long before he's out of work altogether.
Vincent's job
is at stake, John.
We've got a couple of kids
to think about, John.
- Lillian.
- We pay the mortgage.
We help support
his parents.
- Lillian.
- I know that,
I understand all that.
- You turned my husband into
a 24-hour cop.
- I know that!
- Lillian!
- I know that!
All right, I'll tell you
exactly what it is.
Okay?
In the beginning,
when we first started this,
I saw something,
I don't know,
good.
An option
for the neighborhood.
But it's not
working out right.
The patrol's changed,
they're getting out of hand.
And you've changed, John.
You know what
you're becoming?
And I'm going to tell you this
because I've known you all my life.
You're becoming another
goddamn police problem.
I'm sick and tired
of police problems.
You think about it.
I gotta go to work.
See ya.
He may have to
quit the patrol.
The hell he will.
John.
Where are you?
We got the guys that cut
your mama's finger off.
Come on.
Are you sure this is him?
We don't even have to take
him to church for a confession.
What the fuck
are you doing?
Stop!
What's the matter with you?
There's your Black male
suspect, about 20.
There's the nigga that hacked
your mama's finger off.
Picked him the fuck off
the ground.
Hey, John!
John!
Don't, man.
It's unbelievable.
It's always got to be
the Black guy, right, John?
Get him out.
Hey, Superman,
go home!
You're out of
your element.
I'll be out
in a minute.
Hey, old man,
got a match?
- I dropped...
- Have any money?
Money? Money?
Go work,
you son of a bitch!
This is a job
for the citizens' patrol.
Neighborhood patrol.
Yeah, Neighborhood Patrol,
John D'Angelo there?
I'm sorry,
he's on patrol right now.
Well, you tell John D'Angelo
that an elderly Italian gentleman
just got mugged
in the park.
- Pearson Park?
- Yeah.
Who is this? Hello?
Go.
Christ,
it's Giuseppe.
Okay, Laz,
Get the ambulance.
Giuseppe?
Laz, call the...
Okay, hold it there, buddy.
Jim. Jim, it's okay.
I'll take care of it.
John, remember now,
it's a crime scene.
Don't touch anything.
Steve, come on.
Take a break.
John. Come on, John.
Come on, John.
You can't do this.
Come on, John.
Fellows. You want to
take him home?
Attention!
Present arms!
Go on, Daddy,
I'll be along.
Go on.
Let's walk.
In a surprising display of support,
Vincent Morelli's widow,
instead of riding
in the family car,
is walking with John D'Angelo
and his
People's Neighborhood Patrol.
And now, echoing the
conviction of Lillian Morelli,
dozens of
Philadelphia police officers
have joined the ranks of John
D'Angelo's celebrated patrol
Ladies and gentlemen,
this could not
have been rehearsed.
What you are witnessing here is
the making of an American star.
Son of a bitch.
You wouldn't listen to me.
Look, John, I know this
funeral was a terrible tragedy.
And believe me,
I share your grief.
But let's turn it
into something good.
Times, right, John.
You are hot.
And the funeral just gave you
a national profile,
that's all.
I haven't made up my mind yet.
Timing's everything
in politics.
It's just a game
of opportunities.
Vincent's death was
a tragedy for all of us!
But we've got to turn it
into something good.
We can't let his death
be for nothing.
Now, these punks have been
running this park just too long.
So, tomorrow we're going
to go in there all together
and you know
what we're gonna do?
- We're gonna kick ass.
- You said it.
John, you're crazy.
This is the police matter.
Hey, goddamn it! Vince Morelli
died trying to clean up this park
and I ain't gonna
let him down!
Ready?
Okay, let's go.
This is the People's
Neighborhood Patrol!
We're closing the park as of now,
so that we may clean it up.
Please leave the park now!
Why don't you
kiss my ass?
Take a hike!
What's going on?
Pull it up!
Please move on. Come on!
D'Angelo's
up to his shit again.
I want you three guys
to go down there and ice him.
Keep 'em going!
Get out.
Hurry up and get out!
Get off me!
Damn it!
You sons of bitches!
Ah, shit.
Four counts of felonious
assault, resisting arrest,
inciting a riot.
Do you know how much time
I could give you for that?
And you wouldn't
like it, John,
The food in our jail
system is terrible.
I've met the chef.
Believe me, John, the man
can't even spell linguini.
The fact is,
I'm gonna let you go.
A police record,
come election time wouldn't
look good now, would it?
Here's a little something
for your campaign.
The bullets that killed Officer Morelli
can be traced directly to these three men.
Son of a bitch.
We're not going to
pick them up immediately.
I'm sure you can understand
how understaffed we are.
I don't know how to
thank you, Commissioner.
Oh, yes, you do.
Yes, you do.
Remember, this business
is all about favors.
Right.
Right.
Come on,
let's go.
Put it up, so I can
straighten it out.
Up, Grandma, up.
Nice. Up!
Will you listen to me?
Mrs. D'Angelo.
Oh, hello.
How are you?
Good. You've got
to be excited.
Yes.
Husband around?
He's here some place.
He was just here.
- Girls, look at them.
- Man!
Oh, man,
what kind of shit is...
Whoa! Hold the music.
Hold the music!
Hell! The TV's coming on!
At this point, only five percent
of the votes have been counted.
So the results
are not conclusive.
But we do have an indication of how
the candidates are doing in some areas.
In the hotly contested
Fifth Councilman District,
where John D'Angelo is challenging
incumbent councilman Al Brusco,
early returns show
Al Brusco with 11,730 votes
and John D'Angelo
with 12,231 votes.
Oh my God. And now stay tuned
for other local news.
Hooray!
What's wrong?
Where have you been?
- Hi.
- Hi.
Hold on, guys.
Hey, cut it.
There's Dad.
Over there.
Let's go.