Defiance

1980
PG
1h 43m

IMDb RATING

6.1/10

1.5K

YOUR RATING

Tommy takes up temporary housing in a New York City neighborhood plagued by a violent gang called the Souls. Tommy is waiting for his next assignment as a seaman, and though he tries to avoid the gang and his neighbors, it does not work.

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Action Crime Drama

An out-of work merchant seaman single-handedly tames a powerful street gang "The Souls" that has been terrorizing his neighborhood on New York City's Lower East Side.An out-of work merchant seaman single-handedly tames a powerful street gang "The Souls" that has been terrorizing his neighborhood on New York City's Lower East Side.An out-of work merchant seaman single-handedly tames a powerful street gang "The Souls" that has been terrorizing his neighborhood on New York City's Lower East Side.

See production info at IMDbPro

IMDb RATING

6.1/10

1.5K

YOUR RATING

See production info at IMDbPro

Tommy
(as Jan Michael Vincent)

Theresa Saldana

Marsha

Danny Aiello

Carmine

Rudy Ramos

Angel Cruz

Lenny Montana

Whacko

Art Carney

Santos Morales

Paolo

Frank Pesce

Herbie

Don Blakely

Abbie

James Victor

Father Rivera

Randy Mark Herman

Tito
(as Randy Herman)

Lee Fraser

Bandana
(as Lee Yuro)

Joseph Campanella

Karenski
(as Joe Campanella)

Fernando López

Kid
(as Fernando Lopez)

Alberto Vazquez

Slagg
(as Alberto Vasquez)

Church Ortiz

Luis

Ismael 'East' Carlo

El Bravo
(as East Carlo)

Tom Reese

1st Cop

Storyline

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Did you know

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Trivia
Because of this film, Theresa Saldana gained a stalker. The Stalker stabbed her ten times in the torso. Theresa survived and went on to play herself in a television movie based on the events.

Goofs
The leader of the Souls walks into the bingo room at the church twice.

Connections
Featured in Vintage Video: A Chronological 80's Film Rewatch Podcast: A Small Circle of Friends (1980) (2020)

Soundtracks
Bad Times
Composed by Gerard McMahon
Performed by Gerard McMahon

User reviews22

Review

Featured review

9/10

One of the top three

I doubt I know all of them, but the three films of street gang genre which came out in the very late 70's and very early 80's were "The Warriors"; "The Outsiders" and this one, "Defiance". Each one had it's own positive and negative points, in my opinion. I have to admit that I've watched "The Warriors" several times over the years, and I never tire of it. On the other hand, one viewing of "The Outsiders" was enough for me, it just didn't hold up. "Defiance" however is an excellent film from start to finish, and I'll be sure to watch it again and again. The film does an outstanding job of showing the essence of what it was like to exist in a then gang-ridden neighborhood in NYC. And there is story behind it, as well as good acting, a touch of a love affair, and most importantly the grittiness of people who are determined to regain what was once theirs, only to be snatched by a gang of merciless thugs. Cheers!