MovieChat Forums > Fight for Your Life (1980) Discussion > Not what i was expecting. A bit lame rea...

Not what i was expecting. A bit lame really. (SPOILERS)

posted 17 years ago by RuggeroAja
8 replies | jump to latest

I'm not here to bag out the film, i'm just stating that i was a bit disappointed. On the DVD i recently viewed (the US uncut version) it went on about it being banned in Britain and causing outrage in cinemas, and being compared to 'I Spit On Your Grave' and 'Last House On The Left'.

The only possible reason for it to be banned would be the racist content. I can understand that. But comparing it to 'I Spit On Your Grave' and 'Last House On The Left'? Come on. 'I Spit On Your Grave' has some of the most intense rape scenes ever put on film (second only to 'Irreversible' from what i've seen), making the so-called "rape" scene in 'Fight For Your Life' look very tame and not even worth mentioning, largely because you barely see anything. The rape scenes in 'Last House On The Left' were also more intense. So when you add the torture and disembowelment scenes, it puts the film in a whole different league to 'Fight For Your Life'.

On the whole, the expectations i had for 'Fight For Your Life' led to me being greatly disappointed. It is more of just a typical 'Crime' film than an 'Exploitation' film. The rape scene was timid, the violence was very limited, and the racism was limited to just a few childish, redneck remarks. Also, the main convict character was VERY lame. He talked the talk but was too much of a sissy to walk the walk.

Not a bad film for what it was. Plot was okay, and some bits were funny, but comparing it to 70s 'Exploitation' flicks is a bit misleading.

[–] andiesimun 17 years ago

I totally agree with your comments. I read the cover and it lead me to expect more than what I got...

[–] ecrisisny 17 years ago

I agree. Its only shock factor was the racism and the fact they killed that little kid. I still think it's a great film for what it is, but overrated in the "video nasty" sense.

[–] 17 years ago

[deleted]

[–] andrew_kelly_uk 17 years ago

I agree with all your observations. But do you really need to see the details to feel the impact? Fight for Your Life's problem is that it's more intelligent than people give it credit for. It impressed me that the rapes weren't graphic or salacious.

No way can the filmmakers be accused of using rape to titillate, or get a kick out of the white man having his way over the black girl - just 2 examples of how this film ISN'T what everybody says it is!

[–] iceknuckles2288 16 years ago

I totally agree with the OP. I just watched 'Fight for your Life' today and I was expecting a dirty, nasty movie and all I got was some 2nd rate racial insults.
The highlight of the film for me was the grandmother (I'll blow your balls off!!) and the over top death of that redhead kid's dad.
The "revenge" part of the movie didn't last long enough and was not brutal enough to make up for what the convicts had done to the family.

I'm interested in 'Last House' its supposed to be a pretty good exploit flick.

[–] freudified_n_funkified 16 years ago

[–] iceknuckles2288 16 years ago

The problem is that it's not really an exploitation movie in it's execution of the more controversial elements. The makers seemed to exploit that niche but their restraint indicates they were more concerned with the implications and effects of the violence rather than indulging in the nitty gritty of the actions themselves. People expecting exploitation on that level are bound for disappointment. People expecting a kind of hard boiled blaxploitation Desperate Hours are in for a treat.
__________________________________________________________________________________
Very good points. I think one reason why the movie was such a let down for me is, everything I heard about it touted it as a shock exploitation flick so I prepared myself for some really nasty stuff, when its much more of a hard boiled blaxploitation like you said.

[–] ElectricWarlock 10 years ago

Yes, you are correct. It has the same sleazy feel of a movie like I Spit on Your Grave I believe, but except for the scenes related to rape and where the little boy Joey gets his head bashed in with a rock there really isn't that much shocking violence. But this movie doesn't really need it. It's more interesting for the story about a family being tortured and victimized while struggling to decide whether or not fighting back goes against their faith and dignity. While the violence and exploitation side does hold a fascination, there is a bit more to this movie than that and people should keep that in mind if they're just expecting 90 minutes of straight torture.

Death lives in the Vault of Horror!