IMDb 6 1982 HD

Fighting Back

Fighting Back

1982
Action Crime Drama Thriller
98 min R USA
5.632 / 10
6 IMDB

An Italian deli owner forms a vigilante group to rid his Philadelphia neighborhood of street punks.

Personnel // Cast & Crew

Director Lewis Teague / José López Rodero / Ellen Rauch / Deborah L. Marrs / Laurie Cohn / Alan Gibbs
Starring
Tom Skerritt / Patti LuPone / Michael Sarrazin / Yaphet Kotto / David Rasche / Jim Lovelett / Joseph Ragno / Frank Sivero

How Viewers Describe This Film

Common themes and sentiments

gritty frustrating determined raw community tense moral action realistic bleak solid compelling

Reviews

I
Isabelle Moreau
May 22, 2026
3.5 / 5
3.5

This 1982 release offers a stark look at a neighbourhood pushed to its breaking point. Tom Skerritt anchors the film with a robust performance, embodying the spirit of defiance that ignites a vigilante movement. The narrative effectively captures…

A
Arthur Pendelton
May 22, 2026
2.5 / 5
2.5

While 'Fighting Back' attempts to tackle weighty themes of crime and community action, it often feels like a film treading well-worn ground. Tom Skerritt's central performance is solid, conveying the desperation of a man driven to organise a…

G
Genevieve Dubois
May 22, 2026
4.0 / 5
4.0

A compelling snapshot of urban unrest, 'Fighting Back' stands out for its earnest portrayal of citizen empowerment. Tom Skerritt delivers a commanding performance as the catalyst for neighbourhood action, imbuing his character with a believable mix of anger…

M
Marcus Thorne
May 22, 2026
3.0 / 5
3.0

'Fighting Back' presents a gritty urban tableau where a community's patience wears thin. Tom Skerritt anchors the narrative with a performance that conveys palpable frustration and resolve as he organises neighbours against local delinquents. The film’s tone is…

E
Eleanor Vance
May 22, 2026
3.5 / 5
3.5

This 1982 crime drama offers a potent, if somewhat familiar, exploration of community frustration. Tom Skerritt leads a compelling charge as a deli owner pushed to form a vigilante group against escalating street crime. The film effectively captures…

FAQs

The film's setting in a Philadelphia neighbourhood targeted by street punks suggests it offers a commentary on aspects of urban life during the early 1980s. It likely reflects anxieties surrounding crime rates and the challenges faced by communities in maintaining order. The narrative of residents forming a vigilante group can be interpreted as a response to the social and economic conditions prevalent in some urban areas at that time.