John D'Angelo (played by Tom Skerritt) is a protagonist in Fighting Back.
Italian-American deli owner who becomes the leader of the vigilante group People's Neighborhood Patrol after his wife is injured and his mother is mugged. He organizes neighborhood patrols, operates above the law, runs for councilman, and ultimately assassimates the pimp Eldorado with a grenade upon tacit approval from the Police Commissioner. Vince Morelli (played by Michael Sarrazin) appears in Fighting Back.
John's best friend and a police officer who assists in securing police tolerance for the PNP's patrols. His shooting by Eldorado's men serves as the catalyst for John's final retaliatory park attack and grenade assassination. Ivanhoe Washington (played by Yaphet Kotto) appears in Fighting Back.
Leader of a parallel Black vigilante movement who meets with John. He provides the two suspects responsible for mugging John's mother, leading John to violently beat the Black suspect and inadvertently confirm allegations of racial bias.
Fighting Back (1982) character relationship network mapped with AI analysis. Explore the connections, alliances, and conflicts between characters.
Characters
John D'Angelo
(played by Tom Skerritt) — protagonist
Italian-American deli owner who becomes the leader of the vigilante group People's Neighborhood Patrol after his wife is injured and his mother is mugged. He organizes neighborhood patrols, operates a...
Vince Morelli
(played by Michael Sarrazin) — supporting
John's best friend and a police officer who assists in securing police tolerance for the PNP's patrols. His shooting by Eldorado's men serves as the catalyst for John's final retaliatory park attack a...
Ivanhoe Washington
(played by Yaphet Kotto) — supporting
Leader of a parallel Black vigilante movement who meets with John. He provides the two suspects responsible for mugging John's mother, leading John to violently beat the Black suspect and inadvertentl...
Key Relationships
John D'Angelo → John D'Angelo
(Meta Moral Transformation)
Vince Morelli → Ivanhoe Washington
(Unknown Indirect Antagonist)
John D'Angelo → Ivanhoe Washington
(Conflict Ideological Rival)
John D'Angelo → Vince Morelli
(Alliance Co-Leader)
Story Analysis
A grieving deli owner forms a vigilante group to combat rising crime, escalating from neighborhood patrols to ruthless assassination and political ambition.
Plot Progression
Shadows of the City
The Vigilante Rise
Blood and Betrayal
Grenade Justice
A Safer Tomorrow
Directed by Lewis Teague
Fighting Back (1982) · 5.8/10 · action, crime, drama, thriller
