Nonureva Really Surprised!

Executscan Expected more

Freaktana A Major Disappointment

Stoutor It's not great by any means, but it's a pretty good movie that didn't leave me filled with regret for investing time in it.

Leofwine_draca What we have here is a scuzzy helping of no-budget exploitation, coincidentally rumoured to be Quentin Tarantino's favourite movie (and let's face it, films he had a hand in – like FROM DUSK TILL DAWN – bear plenty of similarities to this one). It's a simply-plotted 'hostage' film, one of an extreme sub-genre (others include HOUSE ON THE EDGE OF THE PARK and TERROR TRAIN) detailing the tortures and depravities carried out by a criminal gang when they take an innocent bunch of people hostage. Here, the criminals are a trio of deranged escapees, led by William Sanderson (who actually had a respectable Hollywood career after this) playing possibly the most racist character I've ever seen in a film; the bad news is that they hole up at the home of a god-fearing black family, and sure enough all hell breaks loose.The story is nothing new and the hostage drama rather slow paced, lacking some of the intrigue or tension seen in other films (such as THE COLD EYES OF FEAR and DAY OF VIOLENCE). It seems to take forever before the tables are turned, and even then the punishments meted out to the oppressors are somewhat languid, ill-fitting the crimes they've committed in the rest of the movie. Staples of the exploitation film are present (a tacked-on sex scene at the beginning; a topless woman being chased through the woods; an unpleasant rape scene) but the violence is surprisingly tame, aside from an often-cut shocking moment involving an innocent kid. It really is all about the racism here, and the script goes overboard as Sanderson taunts the black family with all manner of insults and degradation.For a sleazy flick like this, the acting is of a pretty good calibre. Sanderson was good enough for Hollywood to come calling, and Robert Judd is very effective as the noble father driven to desperation. I liked Peter Yoshida's almost-mute portrayal of a hulking psychopath and as a whole the actors playing the put-upon family are decent, especially the hard-ass, wheelchair-bound grandmother and the tough-as-nails kid! For a change the other sub-plot, concerning the police investigation, is also interesting with some nice twists and surprises along the way. The criminals do get their just desserts (nice slow-mo at the end there) but it's a long time coming. I'd recommend this film for those who aren't easily offended as a prime example of the kind of stop-at-nothing situations film-makers would resort to in order to get audiences watching back in the '70s).

ElijahCSkuggs Don't get that twisted, I liked this flick. That was just one of the many offensive lines our lead villain had. And he had a couple doozies. I really enjoyed the time he told his Asian side-kick to get a move on by saying, "Chop-chop!" What made it funny was that he laughed at his own creativity. We all know creativity makes racism funny so take it easy.Anywho, what we got here is a story about a trio of villains who are out on the lamb and trying to escape the coppers. They take shelter at a black family's house and let's just say they aren't the most polite guests the Turner family have entertained. So now the Turner family have three murderous convicts in the house and they're making themselves comfy by drinking loads of booze, humiliating the head of the house, threatening the grandma and a whole bunch of other awful things. Do the Turner's make it to see another day? Find out in Fight For Your Life.Overall, FFYLife was a pretty entertaining ride. From the over-the-top acting and writing the villains had, to the look at how the family is reacting to their abuse. The picture managed to keep the viewer (me) interested in what will go down next and how the picture will finally end. And by the end, I was completely satisfied. Alright! Definitely give this flick a looksee if you're into some old-school exploitation. It's a serious drama at heart, but it has that hardcore racism and violent themes to throw it over into exploit territory. Really good film here, y'all! Just ask Turd.

HumanoidOfFlesh Three escaped convicts led by racist Jessie Lee Kane head across the state line in a stolen car.They conduct a convenience store robbery where they shoot the owner and take black woman Corrie Turner hostage.They drive to her place where they take the Turner family prisoner as they sit down to Sunday dinner.There the gang proceed to torture,rape and racially abuse the family.This blacksploitation version of "Last House on the Left" is worth checking out especially for insane William Sanderson's performance as Kane.His racial hatred and use of racial insults can be pretty hard to stomach for non-exploitation fans.The scene of a young boy,who has his head bashed in with a rock by Chinese criminal is also pretty brutal and disturbing.It's a shame that "Fight for Your Life" was the last film Robert A.Endelson would ever get to make.

The_Void 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.