Review of Billy Jack (1971) by Richard D — 05 Mar 2014

Being an Indian isn't a matter of blood, it is a way of life.

Billy Jack is a former Green Beret who served in the Vietnam War. He didn't agree with the war, and when his time of service was over, he returned home to live on an Indian reservation. Billy is half American and half Native American, but he studies the old ways with a shaman in the caves. He also serves as the protector and police force for the Native Americans as well as a special school that has recently opened on the reservation. Unfortunately, some locals don't like Native Americans or the school, and Billy may go down fighting to protect his people and the children of the school.

"You're making a mistake.".

"I've made them before.".

Tom Laughlin, director of The Proper Time; Like Father, Like Son; The Born Losers; The Trial of Billy Jack; Billy Jack Goes to Washington; and The Return of Billy Jack, delivers Billy Jack. The storyline for this picture is okay but seemed too much of a mix of Indian culture and the school was almost depicted as "cult like." The racial stereo types and lessons learned were depicted well and the action scenes were definitely cool. The cast delivers okay performances and includes Tom Laughlin, Victor Izay, Delores Taylor, and Clark Howat.

"When was the last time you cut your hair?".

"When was the last time you brushed your teeth, sir?".

I watched this picture off Netflix because the plot sounded interesting (and it was scheduled to come off Netflix on 3/10). I will say the premise was okay and some aspects of this film were awesome; but overall, the run time was too long and some plot points were not as good as intended. This film is just okay and definitely could have been better.

"When police break the law there is no law.".

Grade: C+.