Three escaped convicts invade the home of a black minister and his family. But whilst initially they are at the command of the criminals, the tide begins to turn.

There are many parallels between Fight For Your Life and Wes Craven’s Last House on the Left. Race plays a HUGE part in this film though with every racist trope being aired and exploited. This is like an episode of Love Thy Neighbour extended to feature film length and made into a particularly violent exploitation film.

Whilst I don’t have a problem with an exploitation film dealing with such issues, I can’t help thinking that Fight For Your Life could have been such a better film which deals with such important issues. The moment of the uprising of the black family happens way too late in the film and, up until this point, feels way too one-sided. More on the issue of race and racism could have been explored from the perspective of the black family, rather than the uncomfortable, vile racist ramplings of the escaped convicts.

This is also a film that pushes the envelope regarding onscreen violence in other ways too. A prime example would be the liquor store scene and who could have been shot if the leader of the convicts hadn’t run out of bullets (if you’ve seen this scene, you’ll know the moment I’m speaking of).

One great thing about the film is that it clips by at a really fast pace. Theres no dilly-dallying. If the narrative states that something is going to happen next, it then cuts to the chase which is fantastic. If only more films did that.

But, more than anything, my lasting impression regarding the film is that it was a missed opportunity. It could have been a thought-provoking masterpiece but is, instead, a hidden ‘tough watch’ from the Video Nasties list.

Apparently there were two different strands to the film’s marketing, with one aimed at caucasian audiences and another aimed at non-caucasian moviegoers.

Fight For Your Life was originally refused a certificate from the BBFC for cinema release but was then released uncut on home video, so at least some got to see it before the DPP outlawed it.

2 out of 5 stars