DVD Review: Lust For Freedom

By Brad Henderson

I’ve never been a big fan of Troma so I’ve only enjoyed a small number of the films among their extensive catalogue. Some Troma films pop up occasionally that I’ve never heard of but I still give them a chance even though they usually leave a bad taste in my mouth. Recently I came across a film called Lust For Freedom released by Vinegar Syndrome. It’s a Troma release from back in the day directed by the guy who brought us the sequels to Class of Nuke ‘Em High. As we know, Troma hasn’t been doing well lately and I think they’ve been licensing their films to other companies. Now Vinegar Syndrome has reissued this movie and they didn’t pick up one of Troma’s pieces of trash, either.

Lust For Freedom doesn’t even seem like a Troma film and that’s the best thing about it. The film is very mean at times like most Troma films, but it doesn’t have that Troma look or feel at all. It’s is more like a jail sexploitation or Women in Prison film than your normal run-of-the-mill Troma bullshit and that is a good thing. Have I mentioned Troma yet?

When the film first starts it’s kind of funny how cheesy it is and how the lines are delivered. Then the tone changes and goes to a much darker place than I expected. Lust For Freedom is full of cornball lines and goofy shit but 80 percent of the main character’s dialogue is a voice over, which is fucking hilarious. Sometimes the lead character says exactly what you are seeing on the screen and it makes you wonder why they thought this was a good idea. There are so many mistakes and little mishaps to the point where it becomes a kind of a game. If you set it up correctly you could play a killer drinking game. Hell, I’m going to set that up for you.

Lust For Freedom’s Drinking Game:
1. Drink every time Grim Reaper’s “Rock You To Hell” or “Lust For Freedom” plays.
2. Drink every time someone says a derogatory term to a woman.
3. Drink every time a bullet hole or squib DOESN’T appear.
4. Drink for every rape and murder that happens off screen.
5. Drink every time a weapon comes out of nowhere.
6. Drink every time a needless voiceover happens.
7. Drink every time you see boobs (of course).
8. Chug during the intense breakout.

Well, I think that will have you drunk by the end of the film . . . you’re welcome.

This is definitely a flick you can enjoy with friends who enjoy crazy stuff like this and I can guarantee a good time will be had even if you don’t play the drinking game. Vinegar Syndrome has, once again, pleased many film fans by releasing this “gem” and I hope others can have as much fun with it as I did.

Lust For Freedom was released on DVD through Vinegar Syndrome on April 8.