This was such a heart warming film showing that someone cared about other people and protected them at any cost. I love this movie....and Tom Laughin....
Reading through these comments I see that he inspired others as well as me. Within weeks of seeing this movie - I was 14 at the time - I cut my long hair, started wearing black tee-shirts and jean jackets, enrolled at a Martial Arts school not far from my home and started studying Tae Kwon Do and lifting weights. All of these things I still do to this day. He also inspired me to stand up for the things I believe in. Tom Laughlin R.I.P.
I saw this when it came out back in '71.I remember standing up at the end as they were taking Billy away and raised my fist just like everyone else both on and off the screen.
BILLY JACK needs a remake... not that it hasn't been done... several times... just needs to be done in name as well. No one can tell me that this was not the insperation for FIRST BLOOD.
Boy this brought back memories- this is one of my all time favorite "bad movies"- bad in the sense that the acting is atrocious, what is spectacular is the few martial art scenes and I absolutely love this one. The complex Billy Jack persona fluctuating from wanting to be peaceful and wanting to kick ass is just compelling. For those of you who don't know- Master Han Bong-soo is the one doing those high kicks. Gonna rent this from Netflix now- ha
The incident at the ice cream shop actually happened. I mean the flour part. That part was inspired by an actual event against the Indians by the whites. As for the "kick" to the face in the park, it was Hapkido Master Bong Soo Han who executed that move even though Tom Laughlin was schooled in Hapkido he couldn't come to within inches of Posner's face for that scene to work, so they had Han fill in for him. As for Hapkido, its a great thing to learn & the Billy Jack movies is what made me want to learn this art. And looking back, I'm glad I did, because it conditions the body, mind, & soul. Its not just about fancy kicks & chops, Hapkido is a whole lot more.
defiantone Thanks for answering the question I had been about to write, and ask someone. The reason is that I noticed that kick, and a couple of other particularly difficult (almost impossible) ones were filmed from behind, at an angle where it was impossible to see Tom’s face, or tell if he was actually performing them, leading me to wonder if someone else had actually performed them. You answered that question!👍
RIP. Have a good journey. See you on the other side. From a cherokee to another. I'll always carry you in my heart. Your brother Shadow Eclipse Goldenhawk.
I learned Hapkido BECAUSE of the "Billy Jack" set of 4 movies. I would have LOVED to have earned Hapkido from Grandmaster Bong Soo Han, as Tom & Delores did! Man, what an awesome experience for them both, and one I hope she will treasure all the rest of her days, as Tom did his. Matter of fact, I JUST yesterday-finally- not only found out what style of denim jacket he wears in his first 2 movies (Wrangler 1970s model w/ 'pleated' front and zip front), but BOUGH ONE as well, brand new, in my now slightly larger than teenage self (size 42, brand new from ebay vintage dealer for $110 shipped!)...I was very pleased, after all these years, not only finding out what KIND he wore in the movie(s), but FINDING one, in a real person's size, new to boot!! Sounds stupid to some,now,I guess, but have wanted one forever. Miss Tom, and the fact he never made another 5th in the series of 'Billy Jack' movies as was talked about for awhile.
NICE on the jacket purchase!! When I took TKD and Shorin-ryu I practiced the crescent kick on the speed bag because of this scene. Used it a lot for in close sparring too. Worked like a charm.
Alan Craig Nice! Still got a beige denim version from early 70's but sadly I've grown "a little" in the wrong places. LOL Was studying before Billy Jack screened but only made me appreciate the martial arts more. Began with boxing at 11 by 13 Kodokan and Shotokan then went on to Sekiryukan Karate and Sosuishiryu Jiu Jutsu plus Iaijutsu several years later. Any of the Arts are good just stick with it.
Sometimes you kick ass... sometimes, you get your ass beat. Can't be afraid of getting your ass beat for something right. They will knock the shit out of you, and you still can't let yourself become afraid of it. When you become afraid of the ass beating: they win. Billy Jack got his ass kicked here. No one seems to care to mention that. And he got his ass kicked hard.
When Billy Jack came out .....it was when my father died n 1970 I was 9 years old I was 8 when my dad passed my mom took us to see Billy Jack I had also seen the Trial of Billy Jack & I seen Billy n born losers I seen Billy n Billy Jack runs for congress ....Tom Laughlin was a very good actor & his wife Deloris was as well I know when Billy Jack came out there was some problems because Tom he believed n his character & he also believed n freedom he also believed n the native american pple . He will be missed but he will be remembered . One Tin Soldier
Thank you, Mr. Laughlin, for providing us with a hero who is incorruptible because he has not sold out and therefore has nothing to lose but everything to gain, and for showing us that fighting the establishment is not a bad thing! You will be missed! God Bless You. RIP
Vavazelus I vote independently. Before that I was a lifelong Republican. I do not trust politicians of either party. They both have their own agendas. If you've ever watched this movie, you would know that a town boss, and there are still towns with them, is corrupt. We should stand up to any authority, Republican or Democrat that seeks to control, rather than to serve us, "We, the People"!
I just noticed that the fight scene filming technique is a LOT like the way they did it in the "Kung Fu" TV series. Digging into it, I see Fred J. Koenekamp worked on both productions as cinematographer (and both were from Warner Bros, so it all follows). What bothers me is that it took me about 39 years to notice the connection. Sheesh.
Billy Jack needs to take some Anger Management courses and learn to control himself. He has an uncanny knack for turning bad situations into even worse ones.
Uhm, yes, he DID go out of his way at the time, and it made Bong Su Han a lot of money and a very successful dojang at the time. He appeared in at least one of the Billy Jack films, with some hokey line about how very few people could do the spinning heel kick.
I first saw this as a college freshman and thought the townspeople were narrow-minded racists . . . . and now at age 61, I still think they are narrow-minded racists,
Oh, you are talking about the technical moves. Got you! Thanks for making it clear. I admit that I have no Hapkido/Karate background; only a tiny bit of Judo.
After some essentially ridiculous judo training (one day a week where everyone else in the class was bigger than my sorry 6th grade self) TKD was my first actual martial arts training largely because of the BJ movies--and because there was no Hapkido instruction in the Albany NY area in 1977. Now at age 55, my viewpoint on Hapkido being some ultimate MA is considerably jaded--like WAAY too many techniques and many of them, including those high kicks and the joint locks and such will get you in trouble if you actually try them against someone with any street experience
Anyone who understand Hapkido...and Bong Soo Han, who choreographed these films and was the expert practitioner of Hapkido in the US...knows that this is the most realistic fighting scene compare to other films.
I loved these movies growing up. and like so many people I was inspired to learn hapkido. this character symbolize what being a man meant when I was a kid. Billy Jack and Captain Kirk LOL where my role models. the idea of protecting the pretty hippie girls was very appealing to me at age 12. BTW that Infamous roundhouse kick will always be the stuff of Legend. all through my teens I worked on it. never did quite get it LOL. RIP Tom Laughlin
When BILLY JACK hit in ''71 was the new fad,people could not get enough of it.My four dvd video box set version don't got the 5th bonus dvd video that was in the 35th anerverseary box set version.R.I.P.Tom Laughlin, may the lord rest your soul.
you know that shit is going to hit the fan when the boots come off .that sick sense or gut feeling is very real most don't nurture it. and how can't you love that famous line !
' very good actor billy jack... respect him... why need parking meter on this film... take off all bad parking meters and throw meters in trash... better free free parking alot anyday / anytime / anywhere
Cindy did a great job with harry in the ice cream shop the came the flows bad move Bernard poured flower on the Indian women got slapped great job she stood up to him like any insulted woman the came trouble big time Billy Jack kicked one bully out. the window and the Posner insulted Billy Jack and he used his famous quote" you know what I am going to do just for the hell of it I am going to take this right foot and kick you on the right side of your face and Posner said really and like lightning down the bum. whent
Aragorn Stellar Hey, Billy. No shoes, no shirt, no service. ' that is okay... bruce lee was not use a shirt on while fighting another guy... he was not use a cap / hat on his head
Billy Jack reminds me of Mayor's court,and the corruption that still is there despite thier best effort of cleaning up that corruption on a,local,state,federal level.
Few Americans knew that Billy Jack was employing Korean Hapkido at the time. Most assumed it was karate. The Billy Jack movies didn't go out of their way to advertise the name of Hapkido. Hapkido originated from Korean Tang Soo Do and Japanese Daito-ryu aiki-jujutsu. Hence you see Billy Jack's high arcing and sweeping kicks, edge-of-hand blows, and arm joint locks, twists, and take-downs. Karate prefers fist blows with few knife hand strikes.
The best two scenes from the movie, for sure- the ice cream shop and the fight in the park. Looking closely at the fight in the park in the movie, and at the many alternate takes included on the "35th Anniversary" DVD, show how many of Billy's moves were actually Han Bong-Soo's moves. Han Bong-Soo, the "Father of Hapkido," is named in the opening credits of "Billy Jack," and had a co-starring role in the inferior sequel, "The Trial of Billy Jack." He passed away in January 2007.
They tell me not to be sad that it's over but, instead, to be grateful that it happened. What do they know of LOVE though; I ask you. NOT A GOTTAMNED THING, I TELL YOU!
I saw an incident in Walmart back in 2014. A black guy called his white girl a bitch. She slapped him hard and said don't you ever call me that again. In fact don't you ever talk to me again unless your complimenting me. He said have it your way I'm moving out. Good riddance.
He's giving his little "I really try" speech and the curly-headed toad in the background is paying NO attention, probably thinking about his bank account or something . . .
Didn’t even need to a ate a breath after knocking out 2 or was it 3 guys....I had forgotten about this...I must of saw it five times..Seeng it now brings back my childhood memories....nice
I finally went to see AVATAR last night. This movie is the Green Generation equivalent of Billy Jack: formerly dedicated, straight-laced, military veteran steps-in and takes on the oppressors of the native folk. Entertaining, but with a full dose of typical Hollywood stereotypes and tired themes. AVATAR was not as visionary and imaginative as I had hoped it would be.
Ya know,If adults want to carry the weight of racial prejudice with them wherever they go,fine.Just leave kids alone,that is just plain sick and perverted.And rightly so should go to hell for trying to scar young minds that don't know about race and the shit that goes along with it.
Oh, so people move in a circle, so completely in step that you can set music to it? (it is fun and artistic though) But yes, I noticed that BJ got beat up in the end and that rarely happens in other action movies.
What's not to like: choreographed fight scene, cardboard villains taking it on the chin, soliloquies while everyone just waits to get beat up....one of my favorite scenes from one of the best "bad movies" ever!
I really liked the "Billy Jack" format, and I always wanted a hat like his. The Person who is doing the fight scenes in the movie at this point is Grandmaster Bong Soo Han (deceased.) He did the right foot to the right side of the boss's face, not Tom. Now Tom and Jean are getting elderly and cranky and really have turned quite left-wing in their political views. But "Billy Jack" movies will still be the best MA movies for the time.
The outtakes are more entertaining. I first watched Billy Jack way back then. I even saw boys my age trying to act like him. But they just want to impress the girls. But I soon realize. Tom Loughlin himself wrote...directed...produced and stars. He did everything. Well he did have stunt cordinater. And he's in the first Billy Jack movie. Robert Tessier..who plays one of the gangmembers. Just look up Born Losers.
And hes not standing in one place, like Bruce Lee his first reaction is break out of the circle and be mobile, in RL its difficult for a gang to gang up on a single target if he is constantly moving in an unpredictable manner. Besides these guys are afraid of him, that gives him bit of an edge
is it just me, or does billy walk through the town square to draw posner's men out into the open??? AND longhorn hatters in texas make a spot on copy of the hat. my niece is making the band for me, but they're available all over the web. it's just a matter of how much you wabt to spend
His wife was a better fighter but the best fighter in the movie in real life was actually the sherrifs punk son who billy jack killed with a karate chop after the son was fornicating with that 13 yr old,Bernard was a 4th degree black belt instructor. He would have easily killed billy jack in real life.
not much,all those ass kicking he did to the town guys,why did all of them get right up?.Each shot he should have totally immobilized each of them but they all got up and kicked his ass.
Growing up I thought Billy Jack was the coolest, baddist dude around. He also inspired me to take karate lessons. He will always be my favorite coolest karate baddass!
@OTISG69 well its not today its a day and age where self defense were just being realized and like 200 yrs ago 100 yrs ago and yes today YOUR IGNORANCE IS VERY VISIBLE
@jasonpp1973 - For breach of (oral) contract because he claimed Laughlin told him he'd have co-star billing...but without having it in writing, suing was a bad idea.
Billy should of left his boots on, he would of done a lot more damage to those guys! But back in the day when I was a little boy the bare foot fighting was kick ass.
If you read his Bio, Tom was NOT a martial artist but an actor from the 50's and 60's. He only took six months of lessons prior to filming for his role. His Hapkido teacher/stunt double did 90% of the kicks in the Billy Jack movies.
This was such a heart warming film showing that someone cared about other people and protected them at any cost. I love this movie....and Tom Laughin....
Tom Laughlin was a man of integrity. He inspired me, both on screen and off, with his passion for truth and justice. He will be sorely missed.
Thank you Billy Jack for reminding us all that there is NOTHING WRONG with violence in a good cause.
Love it.Loved it as a kid and love it now
Reading through these comments I see that he inspired others as well as me. Within weeks of seeing this movie - I was 14 at the time - I cut my long hair, started wearing black tee-shirts and jean jackets, enrolled at a Martial Arts school not far from my home and started studying Tae Kwon Do and lifting weights. All of these things I still do to this day.
He also inspired me to stand up for the things I believe in.
Tom Laughlin R.I.P.
I saw this when it came out back in '71.I remember standing up at the end as they were taking Billy away and raised my fist just like everyone else both on and off the screen.
hell yea thanks for the memories tom and company
RIP BILLY JACK
BILLY JACK needs a remake... not that it hasn't been done... several times... just needs to be done in name as well. No one can tell me that this was not the insperation for FIRST BLOOD.
Boy this brought back memories- this is one of my all time favorite "bad movies"- bad in the sense that the acting is atrocious, what is spectacular is the few martial art scenes and I absolutely love this one. The complex Billy Jack persona fluctuating from wanting to be peaceful and wanting to kick ass is just compelling. For those of you who don't know- Master Han Bong-soo is the one doing those high kicks. Gonna rent this from Netflix now- ha
Miss your presence Tom
The incident at the ice cream shop actually happened. I mean the flour part. That part was inspired by an actual event against the Indians by the whites. As for the "kick" to the face in the park, it was Hapkido Master Bong Soo Han who executed that move even though Tom Laughlin was schooled in Hapkido he couldn't come to within inches of Posner's face for that scene to work, so they had Han fill in for him. As for Hapkido, its a great thing to learn & the Billy Jack movies is what made me want to learn this art. And looking back, I'm glad I did, because it conditions the body, mind, & soul. Its not just about fancy kicks & chops, Hapkido is a whole lot more.
defiantone Thanks for answering the question I had been about to write, and ask someone. The reason is that I noticed that kick, and a couple of other particularly difficult (almost impossible) ones were filmed from behind, at an angle where it was impossible to see Tom’s face, or tell if he was actually performing them, leading me to wonder if someone else had actually performed them. You answered that question!👍
RIP. Have a good journey. See you on the other side. From a cherokee to another. I'll always carry you in my heart. Your brother Shadow Eclipse Goldenhawk.
I learned Hapkido BECAUSE of the "Billy Jack" set of 4 movies. I would have LOVED to have earned Hapkido from Grandmaster Bong Soo Han, as Tom & Delores did! Man, what an awesome experience for them both, and one I hope she will treasure all the rest of her days, as Tom did his.
Matter of fact, I JUST yesterday-finally- not only found out what style of denim jacket he wears in his first 2 movies (Wrangler 1970s model w/ 'pleated' front and zip front), but BOUGH ONE as well, brand new, in my now slightly larger than teenage self (size 42, brand new from ebay vintage dealer for $110 shipped!)...I was very pleased, after all these years, not only finding out what KIND he wore in the movie(s), but FINDING one, in a real person's size, new to boot!!
Sounds stupid to some,now,I guess, but have wanted one forever.
Miss Tom, and the fact he never made another 5th in the series of 'Billy Jack' movies as was talked about for awhile.
NICE on the jacket purchase!! When I took TKD and Shorin-ryu I practiced the crescent kick on the speed bag because of this scene. Used it a lot for in close sparring too. Worked like a charm.
David N They tell you not to use it in real fight but if you try it in close sparring it catches people off guard.
Alan Craig doesn't sound stupid at all and I'm glad you were able to find it and it makes you happy!
Alan Craig Nice! Still got a beige denim version from early 70's but sadly I've grown "a little" in the wrong places. LOL Was studying before Billy Jack screened but only made me appreciate the martial arts more. Began with boxing at 11 by 13 Kodokan and Shotokan then went on to Sekiryukan Karate and Sosuishiryu Jiu Jutsu plus Iaijutsu several years later. Any of the Arts are good just stick with it.
signas82 Yes it certainly does, especially multiple attackers. Besides, it becomes automatic from my experience, no thinking, just happens.
Sometimes you kick ass... sometimes, you get your ass beat. Can't be afraid of getting your ass beat for something right. They will knock the shit out of you, and you still can't let yourself become afraid of it. When you become afraid of the ass beating: they win. Billy Jack got his ass kicked here. No one seems to care to mention that. And he got his ass kicked hard.
One Tin Soldier rides away...
Git em Billy
My all time hero. R.I.P. Tom Laughlin...
When Billy Jack came out .....it was when my father died n 1970 I was 9 years old I was 8 when my dad passed my mom took us to see Billy Jack I had also seen the Trial of Billy Jack & I seen Billy n born losers I seen Billy n Billy Jack runs for congress ....Tom Laughlin was a very good actor & his wife Deloris was as well I know when Billy Jack came out there was some problems because Tom he believed n his character & he also believed n freedom he also believed n the native american pple . He will be missed but he will be remembered . One Tin Soldier
"It's War".......................................TIMOTHY
I was very young when I saw all of the Billy Jacks Movies, and I would watch them all over again and again.
Thank you, Mr. Laughlin, for providing us with a hero who is incorruptible because he has not sold out and therefore has nothing to lose but everything to gain, and for showing us that fighting the establishment is not a bad thing! You will be missed! God Bless You. RIP
Vavazelus
I vote independently. Before that I was a lifelong Republican. I do not trust politicians of either party. They both have their own agendas. If you've ever watched this movie, you would know that a town boss, and there are still towns with them, is corrupt. We should stand up to any authority, Republican or Democrat that seeks to control, rather than to serve us, "We, the People"!
anyway he has a native American way about him he's awesome! Hoka!!
RIP Tom Laughlin.
I just noticed that the fight scene filming technique is a LOT like the way they did it in the "Kung Fu" TV series. Digging into it, I see Fred J. Koenekamp worked on both productions as cinematographer (and both were from Warner Bros, so it all follows). What bothers me is that it took me about 39 years to notice the connection. Sheesh.
i always looked up to billy jack. i played i was him a lot when i was a kid. he is cool.
My mom was there!
Billy Jack needs to take some Anger Management courses and learn to control himself. He has an uncanny knack for turning bad situations into even worse ones.
Billy Jack and Snake Eyes would have destroyed COBRA
desmoove wtf so random lol
I am 72 years old and this is still one of my favorite movies.
Uhm, yes, he DID go out of his way at the time, and it made Bong Su Han a lot of money and a very successful dojang at the time. He appeared in at least one of the Billy Jack films, with some hokey line about how very few people could do the spinning heel kick.
I first saw this as a college freshman and thought the townspeople were narrow-minded racists . . . . and now at age 61, I still think they are narrow-minded racists,
RIP Tom I'm so glad I had this inspiration when I was a child in the 70's
Has anyone actually faced a gang and pulled that off? Sounds great and all and it would probably work 9 out of 10 cases, but life is unpredictable.
Oh, you are talking about the technical moves. Got you! Thanks for making it clear.
I admit that I have no Hapkido/Karate background; only a tiny bit of Judo.
After some essentially ridiculous judo training (one day a week where everyone else in the class was bigger than my sorry 6th grade self) TKD was my first actual martial arts training largely because of the BJ movies--and because there was no Hapkido instruction in the Albany NY area in 1977. Now at age 55, my viewpoint on Hapkido being some ultimate MA is considerably jaded--like WAAY too many techniques and many of them, including those high kicks and the joint locks and such will get you in trouble if you actually try them against someone with any street experience
Anyone who understand Hapkido...and Bong Soo Han, who choreographed these films and was the expert practitioner of Hapkido in the US...knows that this is the most realistic fighting scene compare to other films.
I loved these movies growing up. and like so many people I was inspired to learn hapkido. this character symbolize what being a man meant when I was a kid. Billy Jack and Captain Kirk LOL where my role models. the idea of protecting the pretty hippie girls was very appealing to me at age 12. BTW that Infamous roundhouse kick will always be the stuff of Legend. all through my teens I worked on it. never did quite get it LOL. RIP Tom Laughlin
When BILLY JACK hit in ''71 was the new fad,people could not get enough of it.My
four dvd video box set version don't got the 5th bonus dvd video that was in the 35th
anerverseary box set version.R.I.P.Tom Laughlin, may the lord rest your soul.
Does that mean you want to zipper down a mans pants and go for it?
Vavazelus pea-wits abound
you know that shit is going to hit the fan when the boots come off .that sick sense or gut feeling is very real most don't nurture it. and how can't you love that famous line !
How about the poor SOB that eats the fountain, owww.
RIP Tom. I'll always love rewinding your fight scenes over again. Rest well.
@bedank he never drop kicked the sherrif, that was Mr. Posner, a rich guy who ran the town
'
very good actor billy jack...
respect him...
why need parking meter on this film...
take off all bad parking meters and throw meters in trash...
better free free parking alot anyday / anytime / anywhere
I love that classic 'fall to the ground' noise @ 4:38 . Billy Jack FTW.
He has a funny-shaped mouth. For a man, that is.
Cindy did a great job with harry in the ice cream shop the came the flows bad move Bernard poured flower on the Indian women got slapped great job she stood up to him like any insulted woman the came trouble big time Billy Jack kicked one bully out. the window and the Posner insulted Billy Jack and he used his famous quote" you know what I am going to do just for the hell of it I am going to take this right foot and kick you on the right side of your face and Posner said really and like lightning down the bum. whent
Hey, Billy. No shoes, no shirt, no service.
Aragorn Stellar
Hey, Billy. No shoes, no shirt, no service.
'
that is okay...
bruce lee was not use a shirt on while fighting another guy...
he was not use a cap / hat on his head
IT'S WAR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!.........................TIMOTHY
Actually more realistic than any other fight scene in history...think about it.
They should have stomped Billy's pimp hat flat as a pancake.
This is one of the best movies ever about people getting kicked.
@guitarttimman I bet Billy Jack could have, too, if it was in the script.
Keep fighting the Good Fight Tom. My Inspiration through life. God bless !
Kickin' ass and takin' names! :-D
Billy Jack reminds me of Mayor's court,and the corruption that still is there despite thier best effort of cleaning up that corruption on a,local,state,federal level.
Few Americans knew that Billy Jack was employing Korean Hapkido at the time. Most assumed it was karate. The Billy Jack movies didn't go out of their way to advertise the name of Hapkido. Hapkido originated from Korean Tang Soo Do and Japanese Daito-ryu aiki-jujutsu. Hence you see Billy Jack's high arcing and sweeping kicks, edge-of-hand blows, and arm joint locks, twists, and take-downs. Karate prefers fist blows with few knife hand strikes.
The best two scenes from the movie, for sure- the ice cream shop and the fight in the park.
Looking closely at the fight in the park in the movie, and at the many alternate takes included on the "35th Anniversary" DVD, show how many of Billy's moves were actually Han Bong-Soo's moves.
Han Bong-Soo, the "Father of Hapkido," is named in the opening credits of "Billy Jack," and had a co-starring role in the inferior sequel, "The Trial of Billy Jack."
He passed away in January 2007.
They tell me not to be sad that it's over but, instead, to be grateful that it happened. What do they know of LOVE though; I ask you. NOT A GOTTAMNED THING, I TELL YOU!
I saw an incident in Walmart back in 2014. A black guy called his white girl a bitch. She slapped him hard and said don't you ever call me that again. In fact don't you ever talk to me again unless your complimenting me. He said have it your way I'm moving out. Good riddance.
He's giving his little "I really try" speech and the curly-headed toad in the background is paying NO attention, probably thinking about his bank account or something . . .
Didn’t even need to a ate a breath after knocking out 2 or was it 3 guys....I had forgotten about this...I must of saw it five times..Seeng it now brings back my childhood memories....nice
I finally went to see AVATAR last night. This movie is the Green Generation equivalent of Billy Jack: formerly dedicated, straight-laced, military veteran steps-in and takes on the oppressors of the native folk. Entertaining, but with a full dose of typical Hollywood stereotypes and tired themes. AVATAR was not as visionary and imaginative as I had hoped it would be.
I, for one will miss Mother Earth. So GOAN HEAD & LAUGH IT UP, GASOLHOLICS! I'm telling Jesus on you. Yes I am too.
Ya know,If adults want to carry the weight of racial prejudice with them wherever they go,fine.Just leave kids alone,that is just plain sick and perverted.And rightly so should go to hell for trying to scar young minds that don't know about race and the shit that goes along with it.
Oh, so people move in a circle, so completely in step that you can set music to it?
(it is fun and artistic though)
But yes, I noticed that BJ got beat up in the end and that rarely happens in other action movies.
What's not to like: choreographed fight scene, cardboard villains taking it on the chin, soliloquies while everyone just waits to get beat up....one of my favorite scenes from one of the best "bad movies" ever!
I really liked the "Billy Jack" format, and I always wanted a hat like his. The Person who is doing the fight scenes in the movie at this point is Grandmaster Bong Soo Han (deceased.) He did the right foot to the right side of the boss's face, not Tom. Now Tom and Jean are getting elderly and cranky and really have turned quite left-wing in their political views. But "Billy Jack" movies will still be the best MA movies for the time.
The outtakes are more entertaining. I first watched Billy Jack way back then. I even saw boys my age trying to act like him. But they just want to impress the girls. But I soon realize. Tom Loughlin himself wrote...directed...produced and stars. He did everything. Well he did have stunt cordinater. And he's in the first Billy Jack movie. Robert Tessier..who plays one of the gangmembers. Just look up Born Losers.
And hes not standing in one place, like Bruce Lee his first reaction is break out of the circle and be mobile, in RL its difficult for a gang to gang up on a single target if he is constantly moving in an unpredictable manner. Besides these guys are afraid of him, that gives him bit of an edge
is it just me, or does billy walk through the town square to draw posner's men out into the open??? AND longhorn hatters in texas make a spot on copy of the hat. my niece is making the band for me, but they're available all over the web. it's just a matter of how much you wabt to spend
His wife was a better fighter but the best fighter in the movie in real life was actually the sherrifs punk son who billy jack killed with a karate chop after the son was fornicating with that 13 yr old,Bernard was a 4th degree black belt instructor. He would have easily killed billy jack in real life.
yes! as I did so. Then it fwd. me to extrema and so fourth. but it was billy. being ok indian help to. great comments guys! lovenit!
Aww. You cut it off just when he was about to get his ass kicked. I would've liked to have seen how (or if) he got out of that mess.
Aww. You cut it off just when he was about to get his ass kicked. I would've liked to have seen how (or if) he got out of that mess.
not much,all those ass kicking he did to the town guys,why did all of them get right up?.Each shot he should have totally immobilized each of them but they all got up and kicked his ass.
Growing up I thought Billy Jack was the coolest, baddist dude around. He also inspired me to take karate lessons. He will always be my favorite coolest karate baddass!
@OTISG69 well its not today its a day and age where self defense were just being realized and like 200 yrs ago 100 yrs ago and yes today YOUR IGNORANCE IS VERY VISIBLE
@jasonpp1973 - For breach of (oral) contract because he claimed Laughlin told him he'd have co-star billing...but without having it in writing, suing was a bad idea.
Billy should of left his boots on, he would of done a lot more damage to those guys! But back in the day when I was a little boy the bare foot fighting was kick ass.
always bothered me that he took off his boots. I don't know any martial artist who would prefer to be barefoot during an actual fight outside the gym.
The Crescent/Axe kick to Posner? It's pretty commonplace too, actually. But these were still good movies, and carried some worthwhile messages.
Some people think this is bad acting.....it's one of the most realistic scenes ever....and it's a lot of fun to watch.....kick-ass Green Berets
Tom Laughlin is a libertarian.He even ran for president on the Republican ticket in 1988.I didn't know seeking justice was a liberal concept.
His biggest mistake was not breaking that sheriff's nose and a couple of ribs while he was down so wouldn't have been able to get back up.
The first movie that got me interested in the martial arts in the early 70s. Always looked forward to watching it.
BTW...at 6 inches, they would have been almost kissing. I was closer to two feet...at the face anyway...
instead of people fighting him one at a time in these movies all of them should jump in at one time each grab an arm and a leg
Bong Soo Han responsible for most famous kicks in movie history -- got almost no credit.
I love this movies of Billy Jack kicks butt There are people that are still like that today.
David Roya ( who played villian Bernard) actually sued Tom Laughlin and Dolores Taylor, I'm serious!
@brucedavis76 I had the same thought. Terrible acting, cinematography, and plot.
Chuck norris did'nt come out with Good guys wear Black till 79. Billy Jack was the First.
I saw this movie when I was a kid in the 70s....that shit still makes me laugh... Lol
Tom Laughlin could beat your butt. He Really was a Green Beret
This is a great fight scene, well done! Especailly when he drop kicks the sherriff
man wheni was young this fight scene was cool now i cant believe how lousy it is
I'd prefer bare feet to cowboy boots. Of course, I'd never wear cowboy boots.
If you read his Bio, Tom was NOT a martial artist but an actor from the 50's and 60's. He only took six months of lessons prior to filming for his role. His Hapkido teacher/stunt double did 90% of the kicks in the Billy Jack movies.
Yes...you can tell in many hat covered scenes that it's Master Han delivering those kicks...
check out the actors sitting in the chairs. they don't move a muscle!