This 1979 documentary depicts the daily life of gangs in the South Bronx. It deals primarily with two African American and Puerto Rican gangs known as the "Savage Skulls" and the "Savage Nomads".

After witnessing her lover being murdered by his jealous wife, Angela seeks refuge in a church where she encounters a young priest named Michael, who gives her sanctuary. But the killing was not a simple act of passion, as the victim had ties to organized crime, and, surprisingly, so does Michael, whose father is a powerful don. When the priest finds himself falling in love with Angela, his religious vows and family ties are both severely tested.

Angie lives in Bensonhurst, Brooklyn, and dreams of a better life. When she finds out she's pregnant by her boyfriend, Vinnie, she decides she'll have the baby; but not Vinnie as a husband. This turns the entire close-knit neighborhood upside-down and starts Angie on a journey of self-discovery.