From the sight of a police officer this movie depicts the life in New York's infamous South Bronx. In the center is "Fort Apache", as the officers call their police station, which really seems like an outpost in enemy's country. The story follows officer Murphy, who seems to be a tough cynic, but in truth he's a moralist with a sense for justice.

越战老兵查尔斯·拉内在战俘营呆了多年后回国，被视为英雄。当暴徒入侵他的家偷走他因服役而获得的银币时，他们砸碎了他的手，让他和他的家人死去。拉内活了下来，并痴迷于复仇。在他的忠实朋友约翰尼·沃登的帮助下，拉内现在挥舞着一只手的钩子，开始了他的复仇使命。