Search - South Bronx Heroes on DVD

MPAA Rating: NR Content Advisory: Not For Children Movie Release: 1985 DVD Release: 01/30/2001 Format: DVD - Pan and Scan Audio Tracks: English SwapaDVD Credits: 1 Number of Discs: 1 Run Time: 1 hrs 45 mins Studio: Direct Source Members Wishing: 0 Genres: Drama, Crime Drama See Also: South Bronx Heroes, South Bronx Heroes, South Bronx Heroes, South Bronx Heroes, South Bronx Heroes

Filmed independently in 1983, Runaways was released in 1985 under two alternate titles, South Bronx Heroes and Revenge of the Innocents. 14-year-old Paul (Brendan Ward) and 11-year-old Michelle (Melissa Esposito) escape the cruelties of foster father Bennett (Martin Zurla). They run off to the nether regions of the South Bronx, but not before Paul has appropriated some photos that will expose Bennett as a kiddie-porn merchant. Inner-city youths Tony and Chrissie (played by real-life siblings Mario and Megan Van Peebles) use these photos as part of a blackmail scheme. Ultimately, however, Tony and Chrissie turn out to be good kids and help bring Bennett to justice. So much ad-libbing occurs onscreen in Runaways that Mario Van Peebles is given an "additional dialogue" credit. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Brendan Ward - Paul
Mario Van Peebles - Tony
Megan Van Peebles - Chrissie
Melissa Esposito - Michelle
Martin Zurla - Bennett

In a bland treatment of a tough subject, Tony (Mario Van Peebles) is just out of a Mexican jail and has come to stay with his sister Chrissie (Megan Van Peebles, Mario's real-life sister). Meanwhile, the 14-year-old Paul (Brendan Ward) and his slightly younger sister Michelle (Melissa Esposito) have run away in fear from their foster father Bennett (Martin Zurla). Bennett is involved in child pornography and uses his foster children as subjects for his photo sessions, in one instance, killing a six-year-old when he was through with him. After the young runaways break into Chrissie's apartment, they are caught, and the truth about Bennett comes to the attention of Tony. It does not take long for Tony and Chrissie to decide to help the siblings, and a much-deserved revenge is plotted. ~ Eleanor Mannikka, All Movie Guide