well the indians talk about the white man's hate but the indians are the ones that sing songs like "Burn the white man's village down"..so i think the movie doesn't reflect reality very much but that doesn't make it a bad movie...since i don't beleive speech should be silenced even if statements are debatable...also, i do agree that the white political power-seeking trash has brought a lot of injustice to a lot of people ...and it is of value that someone would stand up against the rape and exploitation of helpless women.
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The lead characters were good. You have to watch this movie with an open mind, realizing that the story is coming from one viewpoint, cool movie when I was young and dumb, a little over done now that I have lived life.
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I saw the movie when it came out (I was young) and was most impressed with the violence and the sex, not necessarily in that order. It stands up because of the fascinating character of Billy Jack (Tom Laughlin), who, long before Rambo, was a Vietnam vet coming home just to mind his own business, carry on and not make trouble. True to his convictions, trouble brews, and the local bigoted town folk (big shot Stuart Posner and his horny son Bernard) give his kids a hard time and it just makes him go berserk. Interesting difference between Rambo and Billy Jack is the sheriff in Billy Jack is sympathetic to the hippies and "Indians" in town, whereas the sheriff pushes Rambo (and pushes and pushes) into indiscretion and Rambo flees into the hills. Billy Jack doesn't flee from anyone or anything, including death. Helps that he is a Hapkido master and slings a Winchester like The Rifleman. There is a silly scene where he becomes one with a rattlesnake, letting the reptile strike at him again and again. A vision quest, if you like. He would have died in real life. The weepiness of the "Freedom School" marm is tiresome, although she (Delores Taylor) pulls out a great performance as the peace-loving Jean. In the original script, Billy is killed by a police sniper. They should have kept that in and let the Billy Jack epic end with this movie, for the sequels are eye rolling. -claytonjohnmuirRead full review
This movie is set up in the late 60's and early 70's. During those tumultous times, life was hard on everyone. But life was unbearable for those minorities that did not have political parties helping them. The American Indian has been trampled by the American governement for centuries. This movie shines a light on the hard life of an Indian reservation in the Southwest. A local businessman, Mr. Posner, basically owns the whole town, with a few exceptions. He wants to own and run everyone's lives in this small town. He even owns a deputy, but not the sheriff. Mr. Posner's only son, Bernard, is a spoiled rich brat who makes it a point to harass anyone that is not like him. He hates, with a passion, the young people who go to the Indian Reservation school. The school, run by Jean, teaches the young people about creativity as well as the normal curriculum. Jean opens her doors for all people. So the school is made up of Indians as well as outcasts of the local small town. Bernard makes it a habit to persecute these students. That is until he meets up with the school's and Jean's protector, Billy Jack. Billy Jack is the "Original Bad-Ass". He is an ex-marine who was fed up with Vietnam and when he came home, decided to return to his heritage. Billy Jack may be a half-breed but he is all hero when it comes to the school and Jean. Billy Jack defends the school, the young people and Jean. After a collusion with Mr. Posner, Billy Jack takes his revenge out on those that have hurt his extended family. Justice is served in the end. The song at the end of the movie, "One Tin Soldier", examplifies the troubled times in which we survived at the time. This is a movie no one should miss if you want to know about the 70's.Read full review
I rememebered this as a great movie that came out when I was about 18. I did not see it so much as a political statement but as a statement about life. Things such as listening, respect, going the extra mile. Sometimes the acting is not the greatest, however it makes a statement and is thought provoking. I think it makes a great movie to watch for discussion. I do not think it was saying that nonviolence is always the answer. If it was trying to do that it failed. It would be great to have the theme song done again. It has a great message about what people treasure.
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