Scanialara You won't be disappointed!
CheerupSilver Very Cool!!!
Jeanskynebu the audience applauded
Beanbioca As Good As It Gets
Michael Morrison For some reason, I remember this as being the target of jokes and sneers when it was new.Making sure to avoid prejudice, wanting to see it myself and know for sure, I recorded it when it premiered on Turner Classic Movies so I could watch in the right mood.What a pleasant surprise it turned out to be.To the best of my weakening memory, I don't believe I've ever seen Tom Laughlin and now I wonder why.First, he was a really good-looking guy, and he was a very pleasant personality on screen. He should have become a major player.Elizabeth James might not have been the best actress around in the '60s and '70s, but my gosh was she a looker. She had a fit, athletic presence, and just glowed on the screen, and she should also have been a major player.And why isn't there more information about her? She seems a fascinating person.Not such a surprise, but really deserving prominent mention, was Jane Russell's performance.She has not been treated with the respect I think she deserves, having not completely recovered from the "wouldn't you like to tussle with Russell?" PR nonsense from her first movie, "The Outlaw." But she was, frankly, great in this small part. Actually, she had been turning in great performances for a long time, and she has been great because she made the effort to become an actress, and not just coast on her looks.Jeremy Slate was so good in his villainous role, his character was almost admirable, almost likable. The man is a standout in any movie he is in. He's been gone a little more than two years now, and he left a void.Let's be honest: The script could have used a good editor. There were some hokey moments that could have been fixed with just a little effort before production.But all in all, this is a good movie, within the context of what it tried to do and be.Now I look forward to seeing the other "Billy Jack" movies.
MarieGabrielle Tom Laughlin created an interesting character here, although he doesn't really have the physical complexion of a Native American, and is the most civilized and essential part of this film.There is a cameo scene with Jane Russell as the traumatized mother (her daughter has been raped by the gang). The California bike gang includes such characters as "Gangrene" and "Crabs" clearly people who are on the lunatic fringe, and will not be missed in the world.While it's campy and obvious at times, for its time this was a fun endeavor at delineating societal issues and conflicts. Albeit a bit veiled and mild in its messages of discrimination, it's acceptable for a fun Saturday night flick. 7/10.
qormi This flick was pathetic. So bad, it's still not good enough to be "so bad, it's good". Billy Jack is an Indian? From what Native American tribe? The white Irishmen? They say this guy Laughlin has a martial arts background? I know at least ten residents of an assisted living home that could mop the floor with his self righteous ass. He has the strange ability to render people helpless with feeble karate chops. And what about that biker leader with the white-framed sunglasses? Was this a fem bike club or what? And the chick riding around on a scooter with white gogo boots and a white bikini? Who the hell did she think she was? Girls who cavorted around like that were considered to be sluts anyway, so what's the point? Jane Russell hit rock bottom here. Tom Laughlin is definitely talent free. A loser indeed. This movie reeks!
Brian T. Whitlock (GOWBTW) The legend of Billy Jack all started from this movie, "The Born Losers". A fellow instructor told me about this character, and this is what took it off. Here you got a soldier named Billy Jack(Tom McLaughlin), an ex-Army Ranger, half-breed the towns-folks know of him very well. This man is a fighting machine so don't get in his way! A group of bikers come into the small coastal California town, and stir up some trouble. One victim is named Vicky Barrington(Elizabeth James), a spoiled rotten princess who has plenty of attitude to back herself up. She is very tough, but when she was raped, Billy Jack gives her courage to do the right thing, even if she sacrifices herself to the gang. Since everyone in town dreads Billy Jack, the gang thought they have the upper hand. They Don't! A solider is always a better shooter than a hood. I liked it when he shoots the leader right between the eyes! And left Child(William Wellman, Jr.) in charge. Disturbing scenes and violence don't tend to faze me a bit, this 60's movie is all right! A keeper! 4.5 out of 5 stars!
