Fit to Fight is a silent sex hygiene film about the dangers of venereal disease written and directed by Edward H. Griffith. It was produced by the Commission on Training Camp Activities (making it the first film to be produced by the US government) and initially shown to American World War I soldiers. After the war, a slightly edited version was commercially released to the public in 1919, under the title Fit to Win. The film proved controversial due to its graphic imagery and its limited support for prophylaxis. It was subject to censorship attempts, and contributed to the emergence of the exploitation film as a distinct niche.
It tells the story of five recruits who exhibit varying degrees of compliance with the sexual health advice given to them at training camp and suffer corresponding consequences. The three men who have contact with prostitutes without seeking immediate medical treatment suffer venereal disease symptoms of varying severity. Ultimately, Billy, the only man who completely avoids contact with a prostitute, is held up as a model of ideal behaviour, and receives the admiration of his peers.
No footage from the film survives today.
Source: Wikipedia (CC BY-SA)
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