Original subtitles

I wouldn't have said those things about Randy calling him a thief. All you need

to know is that I'm going to crack you wide open. Every time I think about that

guy, I want to pound him right in the ground.

I'm getting a gun. You do that and those men win.

Elephant gun, man.

What are you doing? We got a rat. We're taking Joe.

I didn't know what I'd tell you. Your friend have chosen another target.

What are you doing? I'm trying to give you a message.

You won't learn, will you?

Wasn't that concert the greatest, man?

I'm gonna take the shortcut.

Yeah, my mom always stays up. So I gotta get home, okay? Alright, I'll see you

then.

It takes 45 minutes for the cops to get there.

I mean, they clean the place out.

Well, they could have gone to New York and back in that amount of time.

And then the cops think they can handle it. Where were they a couple of years

ago when we were the only thing on the streets?

People are plenty happy to see the civilian patrol land.

Okay, first shift will be back any minute. Let's saddle up.

Hey, listen.

It's an alarm.

No kidding.

What the hell are you waiting for, Lou? Get going.

Move it.

dun dun dun dun dun dun dun dun dun

He just fell. We didn't hurt him. I told you guys to lighten up.

Where did you get a tire iron? You know the rules. No weapon. Shut up. We didn't

kill anybody.

It's a damn accident.

What are we going to do now?

I'll tell you what we're going to do.

This kid is guilty as hell. And he's going to look that way.

And this is for all of us.

We've got to stick together.

Well, go call the cops.

Hi, Sylvia. It's Miriam.

I'm sorry to bother you so late, but did Randy stop by there tonight? He went to

a rock concert and he hasn't come home yet.

No?

Okay. Thank you.

He's probably hanging out with a guy.

Would you lighten up?

You see?

He's home, and the road space lost his keys again.

What's, uh... What's happening?

Are you the mother of Randy Blaine? Yes, yes, yes. What's happened?

Mrs. Blaine has been an accident.

Hey, Lieutenant.

Can we go now?

We gotta get to work in the morning.

Vic, you mind?

Lieutenant's got his job to do, too.

We just don't know what else to say.

We told your detectives everything we know.

Why don't we go through it one more time? I'd like to get it firsthand,

Oh, sure.

It's simple. We were patrolling down Leland Street.

We heard the alarm go off. Pulled in the alley, and that's when we saw him.

Breaking into the warehouse.

No, he was coming out.

He started to run and fell off the dock.

That was it.

That's as close as you got to him?

Until he took the head up.

We tried to help him, but it was too late.

God's truth, Lieutenant.

other ID'd the body.

Yeah? Well, what's the medical examiner say?

Skull fracture consistent with a fall.

Wound matched the machinery to point of impact.

Any other injuries? No.

As always, I'll check, Lieutenant.

I cut the men loose.

Hell, I thank him.

Was that right?

Okay, that's it for now, gentlemen. Thank you for your cooperation.

You're free to go.

Cut it out.

Aren't these the men who said things about my Randy, the ones in the Citizens

Patrol? Are you letting them go?

Mrs. Blaine, I'm very sorry. Wait a minute. Wait a minute.

Don't you leave. I want to talk to you.

Easy,

easy. I said easy.

I said easy.

Letting them go.

Mrs. Blaine, I know this is hard for you to accept, but they didn't do anything.

Oh, yes, they did.

Otherwise, they wouldn't have said those things about Randy calling him a thief.

He ain't... He wasn't no thief.

He was one block from our house. He was just coming home. Let's see that

Mrs. Blaine and her son get home safely.

Here's to better days.

I mean, your divorce is through, your financial situation is much more stable,

and, uh, well, you're on the up and up.

Cheers.

You're not going to believe this, McCall.

I started dating her again.

Your former wife?

Yeah, yeah, I know, I know.

You mean the one you just divorced?

The one whose lawyer took you to the cleaners? That one.

I don't believe it. I just don't believe it.

I know, I'm an idiot. I thought I was going to be so happy without her.

I mean, I hated her guts. How many times have I told you that?

I was happy for about three months.

Then I got lonely as hell.

I don't know why, but one night I went down to the neighborhood bar where we

first met, just to get a drink, you know.

Anyhow, I slid into our old booth.

It's got a real high back, and I thought it was empty.

You know something?

She was sitting in there, crying, all by herself.

Anyhow, we're not back together or nothing, but it's a start, and we're

take it one day at a time.

I can't... Oh,

no, no, I wouldn't say that, Jimmy.

I could say that, but I won't.

You're a braver man than I am.

Or something.

Excuse me, Mrs. Blaine.

Yes?

Robert McCormack.

I've read all the newspaper reports, and I've been thinking very carefully about

what you told me on the telephone.

I have to say this to you, Mrs. Blaine.

Do you really want to get into all of this?

These are the things the police gave me.

It was everything that Randy had on him.

And yet...

Randy

wasn't a thief.

He was at the rock concert that night. I called the theater.

It got up late after the last bus.

He went through the alley because of the shortcut.

It's right behind our street.

Very well, Mrs. Glenn, if you... I mean, this is what you want.

I will take whatever steps I can to help.

Thank you. And what are you going to take us for?

Eugene? No, I got a right to know.

How much? Because we don't have that much to take. I won't be taking

My services are free.

Then that must mean you're going to steal it because there ain't nothing for

free. Eugene.

No, no.

Your son is right.

Everything has its price.

My services in particular come with a very high price.

But you see, I've already paid it.

Eugene, you have a criminal record, don't you?

Yeah.

Sure.

Petty stuff, made -up stuff.

But Randy was clean.

That's good, that's good.

Well, let's just say that I'm doing this for you, shall we?

What do you mean?

It seems to me, young man, that you are rather upset.

It means you could do something foolish.

And if you were to do something foolish, you might have to pay a price that none

of us could afford.

Hello, McCall.

Hello, Jimmy.

Got a little job for you? Pay the usual compensation?

All right.

I'm listening.

I want you to run this list of names through your little system.

Martin Bennett.

Yes, he's a small -time politician.

West Grove, New Jersey.

He ran for city council once. He lost. Wants to try again.

And the other four?

Small -time businessmen, so -called decent citizens.

What do you want, general dirt of bank accounts, credit rating?

No, no, I want you to be a little more creative.

I'd like to find out one piece of truth that nobody else knows about each one of

them. Gotcha.

I'll do it.

Oh, uh, also, I would like a copy of the agency printout on the West Grove

Police Department.

You're really going to do a number on these guys.

No, not unless I have to.

I don't like digging into people's past.

However, if that's the only way to make people face reality, so be it.

And I'll need it soon.

Take care, old chap.

Can I help you, mister?

I was looking for the loading dock where the Blaine boy died. This is it, isn't

it?

You got some business here?

No.

I was just puzzled by a rather interesting question.

Why should a young burglar break into a warehouse filled with styrofoam pellets

when right next door there's some very expensive stereo equipment?

Rather odd, that, don't you think? Look, this is private property.

Why don't you get the hell out of here before I call the cops, huh?

Yes, of course.

I'd hate to upset a member of the citizens' patrol.

Good day, gentlemen.

talk to you.

Over here.

Wouldn't you prefer an alleyway with a loading dock?

You know, you've got a real smart mouth, mister. Yeah, Mr. Big Shot, a real

smart mouth.

Hello, Marty.

You know this guy?

I never saw this guy before in my life.

Marty Bennett, Vic Ruffelli, Lou March, Al Weaver.

All we need now is Ben Kerrigan.

and your vicious little group will be ready for its nightly patrol.

So you know our names. So what?

Oh, I know more than that.

I know from this little exercise in intimidation that you must have been

involved in the death of Randy Blaine. We didn't murder anybody! I'm handling

this. I don't know who you are, mister, but you don't know what you're talking

about. We're not a bunch of vigilantes out to kill someone.

Two years ago, we were the only thing that held this town together.

We've got a right to protect our property. An innocent teenage boy who

anybody any harm? I don't think so.

Oh, no.

Possibly at some time your little group had some purpose, but not anymore.

What that boy really needed was someone to protect him against you.

Look, what's your stake in this?

Are you a private investigator? Are you working for that kid's mother?

What I am doesn't matter.

All you need to know is that I'm going to crack you wide open and the truth is

going to come forth. Is that right?

Take it easy.

I suggest to you that you start telling the truth before it's too late.

This meeting is now at an end, gentlemen.

It's a day.

Hold on.

Mr. Ruffelli.

Please don't do anything you will never live to regret.

Hello? Is this Robert McCall?

Yes, it is.

Somebody told me that you're looking for information about the death of that

kid. Mrs. Blaine's son, am I right?

Yes.

Well, I saw something that night.

I saw the citizens group go into that alley. They were tailing him, you see.

But you know, I live here, so I don't want any trouble.

Oh, yes, yes, of course. I understand that. Well, I could meet you in the

But there's an old canning factory at the end of Whitaker Street.

Foray's Foods.

Meet me there in an hour.

All right, of course.

Which way is it? Ah, yes, down here.

Lieutenant Wojciech, I would like to speak to you. You're leaving now, fella.

Take your hand off me, Sergeant.

Your name's Sergeant Bertelli, isn't it?

The last three major cases you submitted to the district attorney were rejected,

right? They were rejected because of insufficient investigative evidence from

you and also charges of brutality, correct?

Who are you?

My name is Robert McCall.

What I am, you will find out if you call that unlisted number.

Some of your men have just tried to set me up at a place called Foray's Foods.

Leave it alone, Vitelli.

Now, why would we want to do that? I never heard of you before this morning.

received an anonymous telephone call asking me to be there.

Tell me, why did you stake out that factory?

Was it because you had a tip from the Citizens Patrol?

You seem to know a lot about our business.

We were told there was a fire being planned, an arson.

Oh, how very convenient.

So I walk in, you arrest me, and lo and behold, somebody finds a couple of cans

of gasoline in my car. Is that it? Why would anybody want to do that to you?

Well, it could be because I am looking into the death of the Blaine boy.

Well, that case is closed.

Oh, really?

Since when have you closed investigations without looking at the

What are you talking about?

You sent that boy's coat back to his mother.

It had a piece of cloth missing from the right arm. Well, I found that piece of

cloth. It was attached to a nail on a wall 100 feet away from where the

citizen's patrol say the boy died.

Does that suggest anything to you?

I don't know.

You don't know? Well, I'll tell you what it suggests to me.

It suggests to me that that boy was thrown against the wall and then taken

chased by one or more of the so -called citizen's patrol.

down the alleyway to where he died.

Lieutenant, I understand that you have two distinguished service awards.

That means that you know your job.

Sir, can you please tell me why you allow the Citizens Patrol even to exist?

Well, if you're not from West Grover, you'd understand.

A few years ago, this town was dying. The steel mill closed.

There was unemployment.

Street crime was up.

There was no money for anything but a skeleton police force.

And these men filled the gaps.

They walked the line until we were back up to strength.

You just don't turn around and slap them in the face.

I admire your community spirit.

But they're not walking the line anymore, are they?

They've cropped it.

I'm afraid I don't see it that way.

I think you will.

Don't forget the number.

Marty's plan didn't work out.

I told him, get in the conference room. Yeah,

well, now it's time for my plan.

This guy works for her.

That means that old lady Blaine and me are going to have a real serious

discussion.

I'll watch the street.

Make it fast. Be careful.

What do you want? Please get out.

Not until I finish talking. I said to please, please get out. You made a big

mistake calling in that investigator.

It was you who made the mistake.

Your people killed Randy and Mr. McCall is going to prove it. Now, please get

out of my house. You call off that guy and you're going to be real sorry.

Don't touch me.

What are you doing? I'm calling the police because I'm going to get you out.

What are you doing? I'm trying to give you a message.

You won't learn, will you?

He was trying to kill me. I had to use the knife.

Easy. Wait.

Taking a life.

It shouldn't be like that.

No, it shouldn't.

I worked so long for this.

Ten years, working two jobs, saving enough money so we could move.

Out of the city.

I didn't want my boys to grow up with so much violence.

And now Randy is dead and... I've killed somebody with my own hands.

It was self -defense, Mrs. Blaine.

You had no choice.

Yeah.

Well, I hope you're ready to pay for the lawyer, McCall, like you paid for the

bail. Eugene.

Because I know the man.

And he's going to send her away for a hundred years.

Eugene. You know what those patrol dudes are saying? They're saying that he came

up here to apologize and she knifed him.

And the jury's going to believe him, too, because they know how to lie.

No.

There will be no trial.

Once I have proved that the citizens' patrol is violent, all charges against

your mother will be dropped.

Big talk.

But you're wrong.

There's only one thing that'll make them stand up and listen. I'm getting a gun.

You'll do no such thing.

You do that and those men win.

You try to harm them and you will be proving their lies against your family.

This man.

All those men need is one little push and they will start tearing each other

apart.

I start pushing tomorrow.

I'm telling you, it's falling apart.

Vic, you've got to look at the total picture.

What the hell are you talking about? Al's dead.

He was our friend.

But he made a bad mistake. He should never have gone to see that woman.

Marty's right.

Look, you guys have got to trust me. I'm handling this thing. It's under

control. Oh, yeah, you're handling it all right, Marty, just like you handled

McCall. Hell of a plan, Marty. Shake him up.

Get him arrested.

Only it didn't work.

All it did was get the lieutenant screaming down her neck.

Okay.

But think about this.

If McCall had something, he would have used it by now.

Every time I think about that guy, I want to pound him straight in the

He's the cause of all our trouble.

Come on, Vic.

There's been enough violence. Will you forget about McCall?

What if they make us be at that woman's trial?

We go.

And we tell the story just like we've been telling it right from the

Nothing's changed.

We've got this thing licked.

All we have to do is stand together.

Sure, Marty.

And we read you loud and clear.

All we gotta do is watch out for each other.

Right, Marty.

I'm looking for Jumping Jack.

Yeah, well, you found him. Now, what you want?

I want to buy a gun.

You mean like this one?

Yeah. I got $150.

Hey,

get lost, boy.

Cost you $350.

Yeah, well, I'll be back.

At six.

7, 8, 9, 10. Thanks a lot.

Take care now.

What's this?

Just got this sent to my store.

McCall knows about my affair with Edie.

My wife finds out I'm dead. Yeah, well, he knows something else, too. We got a

rat on board.

Somebody in the group sold out.

Who? There's two possibilities.

And I'm betting on the wimp at the corner.

Carrigan?

Robert McCall.

What do you want with me now?

If I were you, I would get down to Ben Kerrigan's place straight away.

Why? What's going on down there?

It's all going out of control.

Out of control?

Look at this.

That's from McCall.

Ben's the only one who could have told him.

What the hell is this? It's no big deal. Two months ago, I bought a hot

Mercedes. He was the only one who knew.

It came at 3 a .m. He was here making his damn cookies.

You bought a stolen car?

It was nothing. Half the guy's in the body business, dude. It's no big deal.

I promise you, I didn't tell nobody nothing.

I promise you. My God.

What were you going to do, kill him? Marty, you butt out.

This ain't a patrol meeting. You ain't in charge anymore.

You...

Don't you understand?

Get out of here or we're all dead.

McCall knows about this.

He was the one who told me.

That's real interesting.

When did you stop being such great buddies with McCall?

You're crazy.

Come on, let's get out of here.

I can't stand the odor.

You got here fast.

I was expecting your call.

You really got my men jumping.

I guess you know that.

Sped them all their weakest, meanest parts.

Twisted them all up inside.

If you keep this up, someone is going to get killed. Someone's already been

killed. Perfect, innocent young boy. And let's not forget Al.

He'd live a little longer. Who knows? He might have had time to repent.

What do you want?

How about the truth?

They'd probably try us for manslaughter.

Maybe even murder.

Every one of us has to account for his crimes, either now or later.

Your time's now.

I've got to think fine just don't take too long about it

your friends have chosen another target

All his savings and some of mine.

I'm frightened.

I'm scared he's going to buy a gun.

Mrs. Blaine, try not to worry. I'll find him.

All right, where would he buy a gun?

McCall? I'm ready to talk.

Where do you want to see me? The alley where it happened.

At five o 'clock. I'll be there.

44, man.

Elephant gun, man.

Dirty Harry?

Five snacks.

Or 38 snub nose.

It'll do the job.

350.

Get an early start, kid.

I'm not starting anything. I'm just going to finish.

Like hell you are. Hey, you're a dead man. I'll kill you.

Hey.

I thought

I told you not to go out and buy a gun.

Yeah, you told me.

Then why the hell did you...

You don't run my life. I'm going to get them. I'm going to blow them away for

what they did to Randy and my mama.

That is not the way.

It's what you do, isn't it?

You think I don't know you got a gun under that coat?

If all I did was blow people away, those men would have been dead days ago.

Then who would be the bigger criminal?

You're all talk.

Sure, you can push people around in an alley, but you're really afraid of

killing anybody.

I wish to God you were right.

You think it makes you more of a man to go and pick up a gun and take someone's

life? Is that what you think?

Every time you pull that trigger, you see a face.

You never, never stop seeing all of their faces.

Every single one.

Every single one!

Never! They are always with you.

Now, perhaps that is part of the price I have paid.

But let's say that I paid it for both of us.

Okay.

So what happens now?

Go home to your mother.

Look after her.

And then perhaps...

I can get a little justice around here without any more violence.

You know, it's funny.

When you want to believe something bad enough, it almost becomes real, even if

it isn't.

Yes, I understand that.

I've lived in this town my whole life, Mr. McCall.

I was born here, married here.

It's all I've got.

That's why I started the patrol.

To stop the violence and make it safe for kids.

Isn't that a laugh?

You know, I played stickball right here when I was growing up.

Me and Ben, a bunch of others.

Vicky was just a little guy.

There were no warehouses then.

Tenements.

They were real clean, you know.

I bet I walked down this alley a thousand times in the dark.

When I was the same age as Randy Blaine.

What happened that night, Monty? We didn't hate him, Mr. McCall.

We were afraid of him.

When that alarm went off, it was like something snapped inside.

We chased him down the alley, trapped him. That kid was so scared.

He wasn't near this warehouse. We pushed him here.

Cornered him like an animal. That's when he tripped and fell.

Yeah, yeah, I'm all right

None of this would have happened if you'd done your job.

Can we get this thing moving? Come on!

There's no need to be ashamed of tears.

I was just thinking.

Somehow, if we could nail those two, it would make a

difference.

Stop.

Yes,

he is.

There's really no point in revenge, is there?

And hitting back, just for the sake of hitting back, well, that never takes the

hurt away.

But now you understand.

What about you?

You've got another face to remember.

Mr. McCall.

Why don't you come home with us?

Have a little dinner.

And to talk.

I would like that very much indeed.