10 Classic American Exploitation Movies

2. Fight For Your Life (1977)

Explosive racial conflict movie, the film played to white audiences who cheered on the white baddie and also to black audiences who cheered on the revenge seeking of the black protagonists. A veritable video nasty back in the day, Fight For Your Life was considered far too racially charged to be given a video release in Britain. It is also brutally violent and filled with humiliating racial abuse epithets. The plot concerns Kane, a racist red neck who absconds from jail with his cohorts - a Mexican and an Asian. They take refuge in an isolated country house that belongs to a black minister and his family. Kane racially abuses them and intimidates them. The Reverend, a peaceful man of God realises that he might have to take violent action against the intruders to protect his family. There are moments that are more disturbing than the violence such as when Kane forces the Reverend to sing and dance for him. The rape scene is actually quite low key although there are highly unpleasant moments such as a gun being held to a baby's head. But it is the language which is the most offensive thing. As the Reverend, a pacifist man, fights back, he begins to use offensive racial terms too like 'spic' and 'honky'. Eventually the baddies get their comeuppance but not after they wreak destruction. Probably the best Last House on the Left home invasion/rape revenge rip off made, Fight For Your Life is sleazily entertaining and you may find yourself laughing at some inappropriate moments. In these PC times, it is highly unlikely a film like this could be made again or we would have a race war on our hands. Entertaining viewing for scuzzballs like me and a bonafide exploitation classic.