In order to escape the rampant poverty of inner London, Reuben (Denzel Washington) joined the British Army serving in the Parachute Regiment eventually seeing action in Northern Ireland and then participating in the Falklands War where he became a war hero.He returned to London and back to civilian life six years later to discover that his community is still plagued by the very same things that made him leave. He suffers abuse on him by racist white police and the pressure on him to go into a life of crime was strong and getting stronger.
His struggle to adjust to ordinary civilian life proves very difficult. His girlfriend left him, he is unable to find work, and a new legislation ensures that he lost his British Citizenship.
Reuben began to feel betrayed by the same country he had served with his blood. He becomes a vigilante bent on change instead of becoming a criminal himself.
