Billy Jack [DVD]

When I was a kid, I was drawn to the whole Hippie Culture. I seriously was planning to hitchhike to Woodstock, I wanted to go so badly (I was 10), I didn't make it. I'd always "felt" older than my age, more connected to what was going on at that time.My friends were regular kids, they didn'tknow or think about what was going on in the world at that time. They didn't "feel"the same way as I did about Vietnam or Music or Freedom. They were happy"just being kids", which was ok, it just wasn't me.When Billy Jack got to the $1.00movie theater, I would sometimeswatch it back to back. I dragged my friends (girls), to see it once and ran into some of my other friends outside the theater (guys),who were doing martial arts type kicks and stuff, they were there to see Bronson's "Death Wish" (the 1st one). I made a deal with them, they would watch Billy Jack with us, then we'd go watch Death Wish, with them.My girl group, thought Billy Jack was good(just good, that's all.. I cried every time I saw it).They weren't staying for Death Wish(which was fine by me).I was interested in seeing how(my guy group),would react to watching "Billy Jack".Would they get it..They were all quietly engaged in the movie(which was kind of a shocker), then they reverted back to the "martial art" guys during the fight scene in the park..."Billy Jack: You know what I think I'm gonna do? Just for the hell of it?Mr. Posner: Tell me.Billy Jack: I'm gonna take this right foot, and I'm gonna whop you on that side of your face...[points to Posner's right cheek]Billy Jack: ...and you wanna know something? There's not a damn thing you're gonna be able to do about it.Mr. Posner: Really?Billy Jack: Really".[kicks Posner's right cheek, sending him to the ground]That Was Way Cool !They finally, really settled in to the movie.When the movie was over, I asked them what they thought about it ?They really liked it, they were "jazzed" about it. My one best guy friend said,"yeah, it was pretty cool.. but not as good as Death Wish".He's Irish & gets that twinkle in his eye, with that sideways tilt of the headand that mischievous grin on his face and says.. "no, really, it was a good movie".I know that's a lot of back storybut I think you needed to be a kid back then, when the times were what they were,to "get" Billy Jack.I have been a loyal fan of the movie,the meaning behind the movie for many,many moons now. If you were a child of the "60's", then yeah, you should see this movie.I bet you'll "get it" too.

Bruce Lee and David Carradine came later. This is what started it all!

Watched this at the drive in theater when it first came outIt was better then. Lol.

This movie was one of my favs as a very young girl...I watched it for memories...The acting not so great but still a good story with cultural lessons.

Brought back childhood memories

Billy Jack is one of those movies that everyone should see at least once. It was the first movie I saw as a kid, that portrayed racism and bigotry (against Native Americans in this case). It also makes a strong statement on justice and injustice and the challenges of taking a stand against unjust laws. The movie is very quotable and you'll remember this one for a long time, "When policemen break the law, then there isn't any law. Just a fight for survival."There is some good acting from Laughlin and a funny skit with Howard Hesseman (of WKRP fame). Unfortunately, there are a few "painful to watch" scenes with dramatic role-playing at the school. That hippie stuff was in at the time this film was made, but I can't imagine what a teen would think of it now. Also, many of the "actors" do not seem to be actors at all. In my opinion, this makes the movie feel more like a documentary at some times, which I think is a good thing. Fortunately, there are enough good parts to make it unlike any movie you've seen before and worth a watch. Oh yeah, Billy Jack kicks the crap out of some bad guys.

The 60 and the 70'a were transitional times for mankind. We had to live with the fact that our global enemies like Russia could easily send Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles at us, delivering a 5O megaton warhead of leaving a blast radius of 100 miles. This was enough to lose sleep over.So to past the time waiting for Russia to nuke us, we watched movies at drive ins. I must admit Billy Jack was pretty much a true story of the time. Tom Laughlin pretty much the producer, director, star, special effects expert .This was a story of the oppression of Native Americans, brought on by the right wing establishment in the early 70's. The Freedom School, run by a pacifist, tries to bridge the gap between the tribe and local business owners. The school does have a guardian angel, Billy Jack. Part Indian, War Hero, he is the equalizer who watches and protects his Tribe.The towns people don't like being punked by a Half Breed, they have their own rule of law.. Billy is seeking guidance from a higher source, and also seeking enlightenment from the school's founder, who shows what it really means to be a PacifistThis all boils down to a confrontation with the one of the elite owners sons, who is pure loser., gets permanently retired, when Billy finds out he raped the pacifist. Of course the town is outraged and federal marshals show up at the school with a warrant for Billy.. Of course there is a standoff, with Billy getting national news coverage and a way to help the school.Good Movie, It showed a lot of class for a low budget movie; Great fight scenes. Love the scene where Billy puts Posner on the ground with a kick i didn't think possible.I grew up during this era, I could feel the oppression and bigotry, the hopelessness and corruption of the government when it comes to equality.

You cannot enjoy this movie if you take it seriously. If you look at it as an anachronistic piece of confused fluff then you might just have a ball watching this one. Howard Hessman is funny as a freedom school student who "creates" through comedy. The scene where Billy makes the bad guy drive his cherry corvette into a lake and the town consul scene are worth the price of admission.

I am guessing that the film was very good although I will never know as it wouldn't play in my region ! . When I bought the film it did say" Region 1" which meant nothing to me at the time of purchase unfortunately . I think that it should have been made clearer that this film will only play in one region , just stating "region 1" will not make it absolutely clear that this film won't play in certain areas and I am disappointed that having clearly stated my address when I ordered the film that the sellers still sold me the film knowing that the region I was in would not allow me to play the film . I don't think many people outside of the US would buy the film on DVD and then go abroad to watch it ! .

I first saw this film as a young(ish) man, and it impressed me hugely. Now, (a good 30 years later, I think) I still enjoyed it, but it's mannered and some of the acting... well, never mind. It's a fascinating snatch of the mood and feel of its time and valuable history for that reason.As a movie? Well, it's still a good tale.

Some good action, but its really dated. The story seems to get lost about half way through.The movie could have been cut ti thirty minuets & would have not lost any of the best bits of the film..Its sad as it could have been one of the best marshal arts films ever made.

Native Americans hold an intrest for me as they are so mil-lined and mis represented.Hence the reason for this Purchase !Although some years old I enjoyed this film .