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billy jack was a great movie for its time

posted 19 years ago by kirbsmum
55 replies | jump to latest

I just wanted to make a few comments,having seen Billy Jack,Born Losers,and Trial of Billy Jack.....I was about 12 at the time,,impressed by the movie and Tom Laughlin....I must say though,,it was a movie of the times,I had heard somewhere back then,the actors were mostly college students,hence the lack of talent and stiffness in some of the lines,it was crudely made,low budget and even though watching it now I really can see the terrible acting for the most part,,the message was a sign of the times....the turmoil in the country was addressed and young idealistic people were influenced. I can remember how I felt watching it all those years ago,,the hate,violence,discrimination...all things going on during that time.......now looking back though,,it really was corny,but it was still a good movie....as for some peoples comments on doing a remake and who should star in it........1.A remake would be terrible...2.Most of the actors mentioned are way too old for the part..Tom was only in his mid 30s then and no one mentioned anyone that young....but the whole idea is bad anyway......Im really sick of all the remakes being made these days.....cant anyone come up with new ideas? 99 out of 100 remakes are awful.....

Judy

[–] ABetterDay 12 years ago

For those coming of age in the early '70s, this was a GREAT film. 5.8 on IMDB? Absurd. For those who lived this film, name 5 others that made as much of an impact on you. Answer? You can't.

Remember When Movies Didn't Have To Be Politically Correct?

[–] yatzo376 12 years ago

No argument here.

That's how teens looked, talked and thought in the late 60s/early 70s.

Very realistic from that aspect.

[–] mstanley-1 12 years ago

Exactly. The L.A. County Museum of Art did an appreciation screening last night at their Bing theater. It was great. Nick Offerman called it the ultimate independent film, saying it was almost punk in its DIY approach. I agree - it is very underappreciated. Hope last night gets it shown at more art houses and film festivals from now on.

[–] ABetterDay 12 years ago

If you could confine responses on IMDB for this film to those who were born in the years 1950-56, it would be rated at least a 9.0. This film spoke to a generation as well as any in history. However, that time in our history came and went very quickly. Someone 15-21 today, trying to understand the message or the power of this film, would have no clue. So much has changed.

If you lived it in 1971, you can't help but know what I mean.

Remember When Movies Didn't Have To Be Politically Correct?

[–] yatzo376 12 years ago

Amen!

[–] kevinswife 11 years ago

I just watched it with my 17-yr-old daughter & she loved it. We marveled at how similar the attitudes are to 2013, since the election of a black President.

[–] rc-108 11 years ago

I loved the movie.

[–] ABetterDay 8 years ago

There are a handful of films that I believe everyone should see at least once. This is one of them. If you were born 1948-1962, you almost certainly saw this film back in the day. It became an anthem for our generation (whether you believed in the message or not was irrelevant.) However, I think this film is essential for younger viewers as well. If you are born 1975 or later, and want to understand what it felt like to be a part of the 1960's, watch this film. Billy Jack spoke to an entire generation of young people of that day in a way that few other films have.

Everyone should see this film at least once in their lifetime.

Remember When Movies Did Not Have To Be Politically Correct?