Terror in Brooklyn

This entertaining but often overlooked film stars Jan-Michael Vincent as a seaman who must temporarily reside on the tough, crime-filled and gang-infested streets of New York, where he is persuaded by fearful residents to join them in their war against "The Souls," a local Puerto Rican gang led by Angel Cruz (played by the underrated Rudy Ramos, who would later work on "Quicksilver" (1985) with Kevin Bacon). "Defiance" was filmed mostly in New York's East Village (specifically on 12th Street between Avenue A and B) at a time when street gangs did in fact control that particular area of Lower Manhattan. This film brings to mind the highly controversial release "The Warriors" (1979), about a group of young fighters framed by a rival gang. Director John Flynn is dead on with the emotional aspect of the film, capturing the heart-wrenching struggle between good and evil, the romance between Tommy (Vincent) and Marsha (Theresa Saldana) and the brutal and poignant deaths of two characters - Whacko (Lenny Montana, who played Luca Brasi in "The Godfather" (1972)) and Abe (Art Carney).

Highly recommended for cult film enthusiasts. I would love to see a DVD edition in the near future by MGM/UA (formerly Orion).

Jan-Michael Vincent portrays a suspended young seaman who takes up temporary housing in a neighborhood overrun by a gang,while waiting for his next orders to ship out.The gang is in dominating control.They steal and rob at will.No one will press charges due to fear of retribution.So he takes matters into his own hands to combat the growing violence spurring his fellow neighbors to join him.I remember seeing "Defiance" on Polish TV many years ago.I am also a big fan of John Flynn's earlier revenge thriller "Rolling Thunder"."Definace" doesn't disappoint.It's a gritty drama/thriller with excellent central performance of Jan-Michael Vincent.The look of the film is ugly and washed out,but the violence is kept to minimum.A must-see for fans of "Death Wish","The Warriors" and the likes.8 out of 10.

Tom Gamble, a young merchant seaman who was suspended for brawling decides to stick it out in a rough New York neighbourhood until he can get his union card and find employment on another ship. Terrorising the area is a Puerto-Rican gang known as "The Souls", which Tommy is doing his best not to get involved with. But soon enough they begin to clash with each other and Tommy is starting to find some allies in a once shell-shocked community.

This might look like another very ordinary nitty gritty urban flick of the 70's and 80's fodder, but John Flynn's "Defiance" actually has a emotionally stimulating story to it. This element gives it a real backbone than just being a plain revenge / vigilante film centred just on the violence. It never loses sight of detailing the characters in a very realistic plight. I just watched Flynn's "Rolling Thunder" a couple of week's back and "Defiance" shares that hardboiled approached without wiping away that sincere touch. Flynn's sharp direction is very workable towards the hearty material, capturing the dominantly rough and raw N.Y. setting and letting it move at a brisk pace. The intensity of some certain tit for tat scenes are very well done and the exciting final confrontation between Gamble and the gang's leader Cruz doesn't let you catch a breath with it stinging ferocity. The dynamically funky and uncanny music score by Dominic Frontiere and Ric Waite's jarringly grounded photography also added to the film's unstably edgy and emotionally charged vibe. Thomas Donnelly and Mark Tulin's story is downright solid, without the need to go out big, but keeping it virtually simple and drawing you in with well-grounded characters and compelling situations that somehow feels fresh despite the rancid subject matter. The well-balanced script has a nice humorous edge (although there are couple unintentional moments -- stamping in a garden bed) and the drama of it holds up well with its street talk. Jan Michael Vincent superbly plays his aversely troubled character Tom Gamble like a ticking time bomb waiting to explode when needed. An exemplary Rudy Ramos makes one ultra-stylish thug and is truly fitting of the part as Angel Cruz. Theresa Saldana is wonderfully touching in her performance as Gamble's next-door neighbour. The supporting cast make real headway too. Lenny Montano, Art Carney, Tony Sirico and the lively kicking Danny Aiello are very good in their parts.

This diamond in the rough is an extremely focused and poignant picture that delivers on the main goods.

Defiance is one of those films that you can find once in awhile on cable TV at some odd hour. Jan-Michael Vincent portrays a merchant marine who makes his home in a rundown tenament that's undersiege by a local street gang. Highly enjoyable film with a depressing aura of realism. Many of the films stars are veterans of this genre. Sadly, this film has been over looked for years and it's deserves a release in the future on DVD. The movie has the markings of a cult classic.

Highly recommended if you can find it.

B.

Back when Jan Michael Vincent could be recognized, physically and vocally, and he had so much going for him he slipped this smallish cheesy cult classic into his filmography. Tommy Gamble is a sea merchant suspended for fighting. He gets stuck in a tough rundown New York neighborhood while he waits to get reinstated so he can catch a ship out of the scummy rough neighborhood overrun by the hoods and thugs (laughable & absurd 'Cholo' gang stereotypes) known as the 'Souls'. During his stay he has multiple run-ins with the Souls and stands up to their antics and bullying, showing the neighborhood that fighting back may be the answer to their problems. The plot is a tad thin but, like screenwriter Walter Hill's other efforts, there is a surreal atmosphere that is a lot harder to find in films these days. The acting is good and you don't feel like these actors are surrounded by cameras like most films today. The supporting cast includes actors Danny Aiello and Art Carney but there are few others who are memorable. It's a very hard film to find but it's a good watch if you have nothing else to do on a very late Saturday night.