Probably better known as one of those infamous exploitation flicks that you've heard of, rather than one that you've actually seen - Fight For Your Life has a reputation that's far more obscene than the actual onscreen shenanigans. Now don't get me wrong, the film is indeed quite offensive and manages to squeeze in more than its fair share of racial slurs and onscreen brutality in a less than 90-minute running time. Fight For Your Life has those moments designed to shock, including a few standout scenes that are sure to cause viewers' hair to stand on end, no matter how seasoned an exploitation fan one may think they are. However, with the ultimate "message" and honest character portrayals, the film is less an exercise in racism, than a power piece of revenge and comeuppance.

Easily comparable to the likes of Last House on the Left (you'll even hear that comparison in the audio commentary), Fight For Your Life does one better by throwing in the race card, adding an extra ingredient to fuel our enthusiasm for the survival of the family unit - and our hopes for a successful dose of vigilante justice. Our story opens as three prisoners manage a crafty escape from their paddy wagon prison cell after a well-timed crash. The criminals, Gino (a Latino), Ling (Asian) and Jessie (racial slur spouting redneck played by William Sanderson who later starred as "Larry" on Newhart) are all stereotypes in their own right. Car jacking a pimp (in one of the few comical scenes you'll find here), they head down the open road, their next stop...a gas station. They rob and stab the attendant on duty and then make a stop at the local liquor store. They hold up the liquor store, killing the attendant behind the counter (leaving his infant who happened to be back there with him alive and crying) and kidnapping a young black woman who is also in the store, purchasing a bottle of wine (wrong place, wrong time). The three outlaws force the young lady to take them back to her home, where her family (the Turners) are preparing the family meal.

Once the criminals arrive at the Turners' residence, the racial slurs and abuse begin to fly. It isn't long before the man of the house makes it home (oddly enough, named Ted Turner) and the entire family is now held hostage. While the (all too white and not so bright) police are hot on the criminals' tail ("All right, that's enough killing" they yell out at one point during the hostage crisis), there is plenty of time for the outlaws to put the held up family through their paces - which includes hours of verbal and physical abuse. This is of course until the tables are eventually (and predictably) turned on the criminals themselves.

So what we've got here then is a preachy and predictable exploitation flick. Sure it's got some disturbing moments and at times is pretty over the top in its graphic depictions. However, along with the pure exploitation elements comes the all too important message that I spoke of earlier. Yea, it's not just all for nothing here...there is a message. Now, it's this message that will either turn people off, or turn them right on. For some will most likely find this message and its delivery to be even more exploitative then the violence and racial slurs before it. You've got the obviously mismatched criminal trio, and the youngest of the Turner clan who had just become a blood brother to his best friend, who also just happens to be white. There's also an interracial element that I'm not even going to bother going into right now - and let's not forget the hot-to-trot silly white policemen!

You may be inclined to think that I didn't care for the flick too much after reading that last paragraph, but you'd be wrong. I do indeed appreciate Fight For Your Life and its cinematic achievements now more than ever. It's an amazing thing...to revisit a film you haven't seen in so long, with the ability to view it under a completely different light. The film is indeed a bit predictable and preachy (even more so than Last House) but is still an extremely enjoyable cinematic experience and a heaping slice of classic exploitation - ready to serve. On the plus side we've got some great tense and well executed scenes, a fantastic ensemble cast and some clever scripting. On the minus, the film goes exactly where you think it's gonna and the message is forced on you worse than those plaid pants when you were 5. On the side that some will either view as a plus or minus, there are the few standout scenes that your mother would disown you over, including the baby left in the liquor store and in another scene, the disturbingly unexpected and brutal murder of a child.

Presented in its original 1:85.1 aspect ratio in a new anamorphic transfer, all I can say is that Blue Underground has hit another one out of the park. No one ever could have expected Fight For Your Life to look this good. Blue Underground managed to locate the films' original negative and sound elements...and it shows. Picture quality is quite stunning and aside from the groovy fashions, you'd be hard pressed to think this was an 80,000 film from the 70's after watching. There are indeed a few rough spots as the film opens and a couple of scenes suffer from some grain, but other than that, there are no complaints. The mono soundtrack is serviceable - nothing to write home to ma about. There are some moments in which the sound is slightly muffled or "canned" if you will - but overall, quite pleasing and efffective.

Extras include a very enjoyable commentary with writer Straw Weisman and DOP Lloyd Freidus moderated by Blue Underground head honcho Bill Lustig. Also included is a brief stills gallery and a very cool collection of theatrical and TV trailers. Trailers include "black" and "white" versions, each tailored to its intended audience, a nice little history lesson and a very nice addition to the package.

Being a fan of the film, I can't recommend Blue Underground's DVD of Fight for Your Life enough. It's certainly "out there" and quite disturbing, but never comes across as mean-spirited or as racist propaganda. While the film won't be for everyone and some may find it's "message" a little sappy and predictable - Fight for Your Life is still a solid and unforgettable cinematic experience. Luckily for fans, Blue Underground has come through once again offering up a top notch presentation of a fantastic exploitation flick, and easily one of the first discs that I can honestly say will make my top 10 list of DVDs for 2004. Throw those bootlegs away, this one comes highly recommended!