Ausbruch zur Hölle

It's easy to pass Fight for Your Life off as 'Last House on the Left' inspired racist garbage, but this film approaches it's subject matter in an assured and straight-up manner, and while it often gets uncomfortable to watch; it's hard to deny that the film provokes a reaction in the viewer - and that is the most important thing about a film like this. The film definitely takes influence from Wes Craven's pioneering shocker, as well as the rest of the 'rape and revenge' genre, but by adding racist themes into the mix, director Robert A. Endelson instantly gives his film more scope and more potency, as rather than have the violence directed against one, or a group of people; it's directed against a whole race of people. The plot follows three inmates that escape from prison. While on the run from the cops, they decide to hole up in a house in the woods, inhabited by a family of black people. These convicts aren't very nice anyway, but their leader also happens to be an astute racist; and so decides to take out his frustrations on the captive family in the most brutal and humiliating ways possible.

Fight for Your Life benefits from some surprisingly good production values, and a host of well worked and convincing performances. Most of the characters are a little over the top, but it's easy to believe them and the situation that the film presents. There isn't quite as much brutality in this film as there has been in many similar films made before or after this one, but the way that the director puts the focus on the things that the characters say increases the tension ten-fold, especially in this day and age, as it's difficult to comprehend how someone could be so uncompromisingly racist. The scenes that see the lead convict take his frustrations out on the well-mannered family are uncomfortable and shocking, and this is where the film's power lies. It's hard to sit there and simply watch what is going on, and while I can't deny that I thoroughly enjoyed this film; it doesn't always make for easy viewing. It all boils down to a satisfying conclusion that both gives the audience what they want and brings credence to the lead characters. Overall, this won't be everyone's cup of tea; but I found it to be an excellent slice of exploitation and comes recommended to all the right people.

Fight for Your Life (1977)

*** (out of 4)

Downright insane exploitation film has three convicts (a white, Asian and a Hispanic) breaking free from a van carrying them to prison where they're about to serve life sentences. They end up at the house of a black preacher and his family who they take hostage and abuse.

FIGHT FOR YOUR LIFE is the type of exploitation film that certainly wouldn't be made today and when you really think about it it's actually hard to believe that anyone would have produced this even in 1977. This film has a rather notorious reputation and this is one rare case where the film actually lives up to the hype. Many people have called this another cash-in on Wes Craven's THE LAST HOUSE ON THE LEFT and while there are a few minor connections there's no question that this thing takes on a life of its own.

This is without question one of the most racist movies that you're ever going to see. The white leader Kane (William Sanderson) is quite evil from start to finish but he gets a sadistic kick out of picking on the black family and making them feel less than human. There are countless racist names being thrown at the family but some of the harshest things to watch in the film isn't the violence but instead it's the father (Robert Judd) being humiliated in front of his family. Being forced to dance and call Kane "master" are just a few of the racist scenes that play out in front of your eyes. In all honesty, I'm really surprised that they were able to find actors willing to put up with this.

The performance are pretty much split down the line but none of them are horrible enough to take you out of the picture. Sanderson easily steals the picture as the racist nut who is constantly shouting and humiliating people at every move. There's not a single second where you feel like you're not watching a real wacko and this certainly helps sell the movie. Judd is also good in the movie and manages to present a very stern performance. Lela Small has some unintentional hilarious moments as the grandma in the wheelchair who is constantly getting fed up with the comments.

Is FIGHT FOR YOUR LIFE a good movie? I guess that will depend on your definition of what a good movie is. It's certainly not an Oscar-caliber picture but it wasn't meant to be. If you're looking for something trashy, downright dirty and sleazy then the film certainly succeeds at that. FIGHT FOR YOUR LIFE is one bizarre exploitation film that manages to entertain and shock.

FIGHT FOR YOUR LIFE (1977) **** William Sanderson, Robert Judd, Dan Faraldo, Peter Yoshida. If there was ever a movie that could push the audience's buttons, it was Fight for Your Life. During its limited theatrical run, it reportedly caused near riots in theaters wherever it was shown. It's easy to see why. The movie follows three escaped convicts, led by racist hillbilly psychopath Jesse Cain (William Sanderson), who take an African-American family hostage in their home and torture them. Cain spews vicious racial epithets almost constantly as he and his cohorts (who, ironically enough, are Latino and Asian) subject the family to a host of racial and sexual humiliations. Though it's easy to dismiss as mere exploitation, Fight for Your Life speaks volumes about what America had on its collective mind in the late 1970's, reflecting anxieties about the effects of drugs, violent crime and volatile race relations on the country. Of course, it's also great entertainment. Thanks to a strong script from Straw Weisman and Robert Endelson's smart direction, there's never a dull moment in this film, though it certainly isn't for all viewers.

Fight For Your Life (FFYL) is a hugely misunderstood film. Pretty much every low budget film with any kind of violent content was labelled a "video nasty" in the 80s but FFYL's notoriety even stands out from the rest of the "video nasty" crowd.

FFYL's bad reputation mostly stems from the film's rape/revenge scenario, which has resulted in comparisons with films like "I Spit On Your Grave" and "The Last House On The Left". While I greatly admire both of those films, they really have little in common with FFYL as far as tone and context are concerned. They all share a rape/revenge plot twist but the sexual assault in FFYL plays a relatively minor role in the film and is less graphically presented than rape scenes in mainstream fare such as "The Accused", let alone "Irreversible".

The other main aspect of FFYL's notoriety is the accusation of racism. The use of racist terminology is confronting and the scene in which Kane makes Ted dance and sing is, in my opinion, more shocking than any of the violence. However, the film is never less than sympathetic with the plight of the Turner family and the way in which their revenge is presented excludes the presence of any kind of racist agenda as far as I'm concerned.

Overlooking the controversy, what remains is a tightly constructed and expertly paced thriller. The film is quite brilliantly scripted. The characters ring true and the dialogue is sharp and often funny. The actors, with the exception of the ham who plays Lt. Reilly, all give great performances. William Sanderson, in particular, is magnificently vile as Kane.

Don't let this film's unjust reputation put you off. FFYL is a very good movie that deserves a wider audience.

It's easy to see why "Fight For Your Life" would provoke certain viewers into a fury. The chief bad guy of the movie is an extreme racist, and over and over he subjects the black family that he holds hostage to various kinds of humiliation and degradation.

However, while the movie does have some shocking moments, I wasn't as offended as I thought I would be. There is a touch of an absurd (and comic) tone in the background of the movie throughout. This has the movie frequently going over the top, and thus it's often hard to take things completely seriously. Also, the performance of William Sanderson is one that's of the right note. Although you'll hate his character's guts, he is so energetic and playful that at the same time you'll find him entertaining.

But this movie is DEFINITELY not for everyone. If you haven't been offended by other notorious extreme exploitation movies like "Last House On The Left" and "I Spit On Your Grave", then it's probably safe to give this movie a look. If you are very politically correct and/or easily offended, stay away.