Band of the Hand 1986

In this gritty drama, we follow the journey of five young misfits, each grappling with their individual tendencies for troublemaking. They are granted a second chance by Indian Joe Tegra, portrayed by Stephen Lang, a tough-as-nails Vietnam veteran and Native American leader. This troubled quintet includes:

• Ruben Pacheco, played by Michael Carmine, the ruthless head of the Home Boys, currently serving time for aggravated assault and armed robbery;

• Moss Roosevelt, brought to life by Leon, his counterpart in the 27th Avenue Players, incarcerated for similar offenses;

• Carlos Aragon, depicted by Danny Quinn, a sly drug trafficker sentenced to four years due to a police sting operation;

• James Lee “J.L.” MacEwen, portrayed by John Cameron Mitchell, the youngest and most volatile individual in the group, serving a hefty ten-year sentence for manslaughter and arson;

• and finally, Dorcey Bridger, characterized by Al Shannon, a slippery car thief facing multiple charges, including auto theft and a notorious history of attempting to escape from juvenile halls.

These young offenders are forced to navigate the unforgiving landscape of the swamp, discovering that their survival depends on their ability to rely on one another while adapting to their harsh new environment. As they traverse this treacherous terrain, they begin to lay the foundations for redemption, tackling the challenge of revitalizing a neglected neighborhood in Miami’s most dangerous district. They take action against pimps, prostitutes, and drug dealers who have taken over a vacant house they claim as their own.

However, their budding sense of purpose is precarious and soon encounters severe backlash. Their efforts provoke the wrath of a notorious drug lord, Cream, played by Laurence Fishburne, whose loyal clientele reacts violently, leading to a tragic series of confrontations that ultimately results in the death of Joe. In the aftermath of these events, the surviving members of the group, ignited by their sense of injustice, embark on a reckless mission. They plan a daring offensive against a heavily armed drug manufacturing facility, equipped with nothing less than an M-134 Minigun, diving headfirst into the chaos they have stirred.