Billy Jack (1971)

Director:

Tom Laughlin

Writers:

Tom Laughlin (writer) and
Delores Taylor (writer)

Release Date:

2 August 1971 (Sweden)

Genre:

Action | Drama

Tagline:

Just a person who protects children and other living things.

Plot:

Ex-Green Beret hapkido expert saves wild horses from being slaughtered for dog food and helps protect a desert "freedom school" for runaway.

Plot Keywords:

School | Rape | Hapkido | Chevrolet Corvette | Cannabis

Awards:

Nominated for Golden Globe.

Cast

Tom Laughlin	...	Billy Jack
Delores Taylor	...	Jean Roberts
Clark Howat	...	Sheriff Cole
Victor Izay	...	Doctor
Julie Webb	...	Barbara
Debbie Schock	...	Kit
Teresa Kelly	...	Carol
Lynn Baker	...	Sarah
Stan Rice	...	Martin
David Roya	...	Bernard Posner
John McClure	...	Dinosaur
Susan Foster	...	Cindy
Susan Sosa	...	Sunshine
Katy Moffatt	...	Maria
Gwen Smith	...	Angela

Runtime:

114 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

UK:18 (video rating) | UK:AA (original rating) (cut) | USA:GP | Australia:M | Finland:K-16 | Sweden:15 | West Germany:16 | South Africa:(Banned) | Canada:A (Ontario)

Filming Locations:

Eaves Movie Ranch - 105 Rancho Alegre Road, Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA

Company:

National Student Film Corporation

Trivia:

The Hapkido fights in the film were choreographed by Hapkido master Bong Soo Han. Master Han not only choreographed but also body doubled for Tom Laughlin in the fight scenes.

Goofs:

Revealing mistakes: Billy Jack tells Bernard to drive into the lake and he does so. However, although partially visible, scenes with Bernard at the wheel show that the emergency brake is up.

Quotes:

Cindy: Hey! Why isnt anybody going in?
Martin: They're afraid to go in.
Cindy: Why?
Martin: Indians aren't allowed in some of the stores here.
Cindy: What do you mean "not allowed"? I don't see a sign.
Kit: Indians don't need a sign, they know damn well where they're not wanted.
Cindy: Then why are you going in?
Kit: 'Cause I like ice cream.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Rhoda: The Shower (#1.7)" (1974)

Soundtrack:

WHEN WILL BILLY LOVE ME

late 60s fun and social consciousness

This movie takes me back to 1969 (when it was first started) Also: note the high school football schedule for 1969 on the ice cream shop door with the school name marked out to preserve its anonymity). You really had to live through these days to appreciate the fact that some people really did think and act like the actors in this film.While all hippies were certainly NOT non-violent, this film earnestly tries to present an enlightened message to an adult audience that at that time was not the most socially aware in the world. =)And yes, people really did say things like: "Damn hippies! They oughtta get their hair cut! they're ruining the country!!"

The New Left movement which really became influential around 1972 and years following was the hippie fringe in 69.

This movie is simply a lot of fun. To insist it be more than that is unrealistic. It was independently produced by a guy (Laughlin) who believed in his message, wrote it and called all the shots himself. Its really not bad taken in that context. The little blonde girl singing the anti-war song is Tom and Delores' real life daughter Theresa. The comedy troupes used to appear on shows like the Smothers Brothers and were considered "way out". =) (amazing how cynical we've become isn't it??) While most of America in those days was more like the townspeople than the school people, it is still very very entertaining to see those days played out again.