Fight for Your Life (1977)

User Rating:

6.3/10   

Director:

Robert A. Endelson

Writer:

Straw Weisman (writer)

Genre:

Crime | Drama | Thriller

Tagline:

There is no greater violence than a father's revenge for the rape of his daughter

Plot:

This video is mostly taken up by talking about vengeance rather than getting on with the job. A mean...

Plot Keywords:

Convict | Escape From Jail | Table | Vengeance | Exploitation

Cast

Robert Judd	...	Ted Turner
Catherine Peppers	...	Mrs. Turner
Lela Small	...	Grandma Turner
Yvonne Ross	...	Corrie Turner
Reggie Rock Bythewood	...	Floyd Turner (as Reginald Bythewood)
Ramon Saunders	...	Val Turner
Queenie Endelson	...	Dog
William Sanderson	...	Jessie Lee Kane
Daniel Faraldo	...	Chino
Peter Yoshida	...	Ling
Bonnie Martin	...	Karen
David Cargill	...	Lt. Reilly
Richard A. Rubin	...	Captain Hamilton
David Dewlow	...	Joey
Nick Hardin	...	Tony (as Nick Mariano)
Robert Whelan	...	Liquor Store Owner
Lenny Chance	...	Drunk Driver
Peter Charbonneau	...	Gas Station Victim
Stephen Griffith	...	Reporter
Maxine McCrey	...	Prostitute
David Francis	...	Pimp
Billy Longo	...	Police Van Driver
William Spitz	...	Store Robber
Jane Endelson	...	Baby in Liquor Store
Claudia Angelos	...	Police Radio Voice (voice)
Steve Hasday	...	Sgt. Hasday

Directed by
Robert A. Endelson

Writing credits (in alphabetical order)
Straw Weisman		writer

Produced by
Richard Endelson	....	associate producer
Robert A. Endelson	....	producer
William Mishkin	....	producer
Straw Weisman	....	associate producer

Original Music by
Jeff Slevin

Cinematography by
Lloyd Freidus

Film Editing by
Robert A. Endelson

Art Direction by
Ron Merk		(as Ronald Merk)
Ronald Merk

Costume Design by
Sara Brook

Makeup Department
Joan Puma	....	makeup artist

Production Management
Richard Endelson	....	production manager

Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Ralph Coleman	....	assistant director

Sound Department
Steve Brand	....	sound editor
Carl Kreigeskotte	....	sound recordist
Steve Morris	....	assistant sound
Aaron Nathanson	....	sound mixer

Special Effects by
Doug Hart	....	special effects

Camera and Electrical Department
Dwane Arthur	....	grip (as Dwayne Arthur)
Jim Falconer	....	gaffer
Philip Holahan	....	assistant camera (as Phil Holahan)

Editorial Department
Janet Merwin	....	assistant editor
Larry Taymor	....	associate editor

Music Department
Ron Carron	....	music arranger: strings and horns (as Ron Carran)

Other crew
Michele Berdy	....	production assistant
Bob Bovoort	....	production assistant
Ed Donohue	....	production assistant
John Doyle	....	production assistant
Peter Jonas	....	production assistant
Janet Merwin	....	script supervisor
Robert Scannell	....	production assistant
Philip Schaefer	....	production assistant

Distributors

• William Mishkin Motion Pictures (1977) (USA) (theatrical)
• Blue Underground (2004) (USA) (DVD)
• Cinéma International Corporation (CIC) (Canada) (as "Getting Even")
• Monterey Home Video (1984) (USA) (VHS)
• Stomp Visual (2005) (Australia) (DVD)
• Video Huset (1980) (Norway) (video)

Also Known As:

Blood Bath at 1313 Fury Road
Getting Even
Held Hostage
Hostage (USA) (alternative title)
I Hate Your Guts
Staying Alive (USA) (alternative title)
The Hostage's Bloody Revenge

Runtime:

82 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

New Zealand:R18 | Sweden:(Banned) | UK:(Banned) | USA:R | Canada:(Banned) (Ontario) | Canada:16+ (Quebec) | Singapore:(Banned) | Norway:18 (video premiere) (1982) | Norway:(Banned) (video) (1986) | Norway:(Banned) (1977-2003) (cinema release) | Australia:R | Germany:BPjM Restricted

Filming Locations:

Chatham, Ghent, New York, USA

Trivia:

The film was rejected for a UK cinema certificate in 1981 by the BBFC and later ended up on the DPP 74 list of official video nasties.

Quotes:

Jessie Lee Kane: [to Mrs Turner] I'm running the show, Deputy Dawg!

Superb exploitation with racist themes

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.