I liked the scenes that had Billy Jack in them
...but those "drama class" scenes were too much. Shoulda been a nice trim 90 minute film. Even so, pretty good movie. I would have to say that I enjoyed Born Losers more.
shareActually, I mentioned this to the person who recommended the film to me, and he didn't recall the scenes I was speaking of. That is, the drama class improv scenes, and the little girl singing the song, etc. Is it possible that some deleted scenes were added for the dvd release? Or perhaps edited during television screenings?
shareTom Laughlin wasn't without filmmaking talents, but editing wasn't really among them, either in the writing or post-production processes. His films tend to be filled with scenes that don't advance the plot, or the characters, or the atmosphere, or anything, but just kind of exist. However, they're such forgettable sequences (and have so little to do with the film) that most people, on recollection (especially those who remember it fondly) don't recall those scenes. The scenes in the film that are iconic and worth remembering -- especially the breathtaking opening herding of the mustangs and the exhilarating fight sequence -- all involved Billy in some way.
shareI have seen this movie many times and i remember the scenes mentioned very vivadly. As a matter of fact you will see a somewhat young Howard Hesseman (AKA - Dr. Johnny Fever from WKRP in Cincinnati) in several of these scenes.
share"Actually, I mentioned this to the person who recommended the film to me, and he didn't recall the scenes I was speaking of. That is, the drama class improv scenes, and the little girl singing the song, etc. Is it possible that some deleted scenes were added for the dvd release? Or perhaps edited during television screenings?"
Yeah, I missed the scene where Billy Jack rides the Killer Whale.
I think when you saw the scene with Billy Jack riding the killer whale you must have been smoking the heathen devil weed marijuana!!!
shareThe scene where the little girl sang those two songs was in the original movie, as well. I know, because I saw Billy Jack pretty much as soon as it came out.
That particular scene, and the drama scenes, all looked like a bunch of kids at a pre-teens day camp, rather than a real "freedom" school.