James as Ptl. Gibbons (as Steve W. James) Woody Strode as Rake Vincent Beck as Judge Sinclair Release Vigilante premiered at the Cannes Film Festival on May 18, 1982. This was followed by a sneak preview in New York City on July 23, 1982 and a wide release in the United States on March 4, 1983. It grossed $5,091,888 in the United States. Blue Underground released it on Blu-ray for the first time in September 2010, and again on Ultra HD Blu-ray in December 2020, boasting a new 16-bit restoration from the original camera negative, HDR10 and Dolby Vision, and a new Dolby Atmos soundtrack. Reception Dave Kehr of The New York Times wrote that Vigilante was "directed with classical, self-effacing skill". Kehr identified influence from New York street realism and stated that the film was only possible in the period between the collapses of the Motion Picture Production Code and grindhouse theaters. Randy Fox of the Nashville Scene called the film "a grindhouse classic". Rodney Perkins of Twitch Film called it derivative of Death Wish but memorable for its cast and nihilistic tone. Chris Claro of DVD Verdict called it an incoherent ripoff of Death Wish that is still entertaining. Stuart Galbraith of DVD Talk rated it 2.5/5 stars and called it "an undistinguished, forgettable throwaway". See also List of films featuring home invasions List of hood films References External links 1980s crime films 1980s vigilante films 1982 films American action thriller films American crime films American independent films American vigilante films Films directed by William Lustig Films scored by Jay Chattaway Films set in New York City 1980s English-language films 1980s American films