So, earlier today, I came across this big discussion/debate going on in the comments section of Arleigh’s review of the “Vatos” episode of the Walking Dead. One comment in particular caught my attention. It was from KO, one of my favorite frequent commenters, and it concerned the “Billy Jack” films of the 60s and 70s.
Now, I have to be honest. Of the four Billy Jack films, I’ve only seen the third, the 3-hour Trial of Billy Jack. It nearly put me to sleep but the character of Billy Jack continues to fascinate me. As a Native American, karate-kicking, Viet Nam vet, peace activist, Billy Jack appears to represent everything that was good and bad about the 70s.
So, with that in mind, here’s a chronological collection of Billy Jack trailers:
1) Born Losers (1967) — This was apparently Billy’s first appearance. On the one hand, it appears to be a pretty standard bikers flick. But, on the other hand, I want those white boots.
2) Billy Jack (1971) — Apparently, this was — for several years — the most succesful independent film ever. I’ve got it on DVD. The back cover reads, “Billy Jack’s just a man who loves children and other living beings.” Except, apparently, for old, fat, white guys.
3) The Trial of Billy Jack (1974) — Okay, so there’s some legal copyright issues that apparently makes it illegal for me or just about anyone else to post the trailer to this movie online. Well, it’s a pretty boring movie, to be honest. But there’s about two and a half minutes of karate action that’s kinda fun and here it is.
4) Billy Jack Goes To Washington (1978)
The final (completed and released) Billy Jack film finds Billy Jack appointed to the U.S. Senate in a remake of Mr. Smith Goes To Washington. From rebel to establishment in just 11 years, that’s our Billy Jack.
Apparently, the actor who created and played Billy Jack — Tom Laughlin — has been attempting to get a new Billy Jack film off the ground since the late 80s. He also ran for President in 1992, 2004, and 2008. Apparently, he’s been dealing with some health issues over the past few years but he still occasionally updates his Billy Jack web site.
I wish him the best and I look forward to the return of Billy Jack.
Through the Shattered Lens 
Watching all of these trailers, I remember many of the scenes. I hadn’t known that Born Losers” was the first in the series.
The “Born Losers” trailer is the most “exploitation looking”. I do remember Billy running around and protecting the short-haired girl, but that’s about it.
“Billy Jack” had a more cohesive plot and substantial characters, and the civil rights theme, as well as some really obnoxious behavior on the part of the bigots. I remember really liking that scene where Billy foretells of his fat white guy face-kick, and then validates his prediction. And did you recognize Howard Hessman, of “WKRP” fame, as the guy in the community center drug skit and in the courtroom?
In Trial”, I remember the beginning of the third scene in that trailer. The first part of Billy’s line was cut off there, but he said something like, “When you’re greatly outnumbered, the best strategy is to try to get in the first lick”, which, of course, he does, and the rest, well, you can see. I didn;t remember the film being 3 hours long.
Now that I have seen these clips, I think I enjoyed these films more than I had thought. There were some really uncomfortable scenes in “Billy Jack”, for sure. But I really did like watching Tom Laughlin kick ass. What can I say? He was cool. The bad guys really did deserve it, and it felt good to see it happen.
I was mature enough to recognize the manipulation, but not mature enough to resist it. Great to see these again.
And now I must see “Goes To Washington”. He really does throw some roundhouses in the Capitol building. Cool. Someone should.
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It looks like Billy Jack’s got some moves to him but how did he end up getting appointed to the U.S. Senate? That’s what I want to understand.
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Inspired by viewing these trailers, I went ahead and watched “Billy Jack Goes To Washington”, the only one of the four I had not seen.
Billy is appointed to the Senate to complete the remainder of a recently-deceased Senator’s term. The corrupt Senate leaders who select him figure he will appeal to the masses, since he was a war hero and social activist, and therefore enable their party to garner a bigger share of the populist vote in the next election. They expect him to fall in line with the party agenda, make no waves for the remainder of the term, and then be replaced after the election.
You will be surprised to learn that Billy doesn’t fall in line as “the appointers” had anticipated.
It’s certainly not a great film, but it’s not without its charm. And you will actually learn a thing or two about the legislative process.
That’s all I will say for now. We will have to wait for the other Ms. Bowman to review the series. Or, you could check it out yourself in the interim…
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