Vigilante Force (1976)

Vigilante Force Poster

In a small town in California, the quiet citizens find their lives disrupted by boisterous, lawless oil-field workers who have infested their community. One resident, Ben Arnold, enlists his brother Aaron, a Vietnam veteran, to assemble a group of men to restore law and order to the town. Though Aaron's crew succeeds, the newfound power goes to some of their heads, and Aaron and Ben must again reclaim the town for the citizens.

Introduction
"Vigilante Force" is a 1976 action film directed by George Armitage and starring Kris Kristofferson, Jan-Michael Vincent, and Victoria Principal. The film is embeded in a small town that struggles with a boost in crime and violence, resulting in the formation of a vigilante group that eventually ends up being much more hazardous than the original lawbreakers. This summary will provide an overview of the movie's plot, characters, and styles, together with an analysis of its lasting influence on the world of cinema.

Plot
The film focuses around the small American town of Elk Hills, which has actually experienced a financial boom due to the discovery of oil. This newfound wealth draws in a criminal aspect, and the town discovers itself plagued by violence, arranged criminal offense, and cyclist gangs. Desperate to restore order, the mayor (Hoyt Axton) hires a group of mercenaries to form a "Vigilance Force", led by the enigmatic Vietnam War veteran Aaron Arnold (Kristofferson).

Ben Arnold (Jan-Michael Vincent), a local citizen and Aaron's more youthful bro, is initially hesitant of the Vigilance Force however ultimately joins them out of issue for the community. Aaron trains his employees in guerilla warfare and they successfully drive the criminal gangs out of Elk Hills. Nevertheless, Aaron has a hidden agenda, using the Vigilance Force to frighten locals, become associated with organized crime and exploiting the town's oil resources for his personal gain.

Unbeknownst to the townspeople, Aaron is also linked to the biker gangs and plans to utilize the neighborhood as a main office for his criminal enterprise. As stress rise, the people of Elk Hills are caught in a power battle in between Aaron's totalitarian routine and the significantly violent biker gangs.

After understanding Aaron's true objectives, Ben unwillingly partners with a bicycle rider leader named Tom (Bernie Casey) to eliminate versus the Vigilance Force. A strong, fatal battle ensues, with high-stakes car goes after, shootouts, and dramatic explosions.

In the final confrontation, Ben handles Aaron in a ruthless hand-to-hand face-off, eventually beating his older bro. The Vigilance Force is dissolved, and the town of Elk Hills starts the process of restoring and recuperating from the turmoil.

Characters and Themes
"Vigilante Force" explores the styles of power, corruption, and the effects of unchecked violence. Aaron Arnold functions as the film's primary antagonist, with his improvement from supposed rescuer to corrupt totalitarian illustrating the risk of outright authority. His character is a stark contrast to Ben Arnold, who is more focused on safeguarding his community and is at first resistant to the concept of the Vigilance Force.

The motion picture also illustrates a review of the Vietnam War and its impact on veterans like Aaron. His character is revealed to have been deeply impacted by the injury of war, driving him to look for power and control as a means of managing his past.

Impact and Legacy
"Vigilante Force" received mixed reviews upon its release, with some critics applauding the movie's action sequences and efficiencies, while others criticized its plot and pacing. Regardless of these combined responses, the film has actually given that gotten a cult following and is commemorated for its representation of small-town America throughout the 1970s.

In the years since its release, "Vigilante Force" has been credited for motivating subsequent films focused around vigilante justice, consisting of the "Death Wish" series and the "Punisher" franchise.

In conclusion, "Vigilante Force" is a captivating action movie that exposes the unsafe consequences of corruption and unattended power. It stays an intriguing expedition of moral ambiguity, vigilante justice, and social commentary on the 1970s in America. Though it got mixed evaluations upon its release, "Vigilante Force" endures as a cult classic that is still delighted in by fans of the genre today.

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