DEATH WISH II

1982
Action / Thriller

Sequel to DEATH WISH (1974)

Paul Kersey (Charles Bronson) has relocated to Los Angeles, having been asked to leave New York due to his actions as a vigilante in the original 1974 film. In a relationship with radio reporter Geri Nichols (Jill Ireland, Bronson’s real-life wife) and living with the support of a housekeeper, Rosario, he takes his daughter, Carol, still comatose from her rape ordeal in the first film out for ice-cream with Nichols, only to be mugged of his wallet by a gang, who invade his home and rape Rosario.

Kersey and Carol return home and are attacked by the gang. Carol is kidnapped and dies, prompting Kersey to reembark on the same vigilante action that defined his life in New York. However, NYPD Lt. Frank Oocha (Vincent Gardenia) is also in Los Angeles, determined to track down Kersey to make sure he stops…

Controversial sequel (the rape of Rosario was cut down for UK release by the British censor James Ferman) which still managed to generate sufficient box-office revenue, followed by three more sequels, with score by Led Zeppelin legend Jimmy Page.

Effectively the same kind of film as the original, which is still the best of the series (and also led to a Bruce Willis remake which co-starred Elisabeth Shue (KARATE KID 1984, LEAVING LAS VEGAS, for which she was nominated for an Oscar as Best Actress), but far more exploitative.