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Billy JackRating:
Release Date: 22 June, 1999 Retail Price: $9.98 OUR Price: $9.98 You SAVE: $0.00! Cast: Complete Cast (11 total) |
Billy Jack Reviews
The Love Generation.. in all its Embarassing Splendor
I have been catching bits and pieces of this film on TV for years, always trying to discover its identity. Finally I was drawn in by the excellent cover of this DVD editon, and the mystery was solved.
Ok, even if you've outgrown the anarchist mumbo-jumbo, "Billy Jack" is undoubtedly a classic period film. You've got to admire its intrepid spirit. And furthermore, you've got to love the way it bombards you with cliches. It's made up entirely of 60's movie cliches. Maybe if you were to watch "Bonnie & Clyde," "Easy Rider" and "I Love You Alice B. Toklas" simultaneously, it would approximate the experience of "Billy Jack."
It's juvenile in its ideology and alot of the way it presents itself. But many scenes are surprisingly thought-provoking, especially when the actors are improvising. The scene where the school debates the city council is really intense, for example. Very true to life. Then the council members participate in one of the "psycho-dramas," obviously improvised. So this compounded with the actual conflict between the characters makes for an interesting dynamic. I think by letting the characters stretch out like this, they really captured some of the spirit of the times.
I also like the portrayal of the hippies as 'kids.' The idea of all these wayward kids and misfits under the thrall of one or two very charismatic but very troubled characters. It's poetic. More of an analogy for the 1960's than a literal depiction. And by 1971 when the film was made, displaying some historical hindsight, and a touch of satire. So I like to think.
"Billy Jack" is full of such icons. Billy confronting the snake. Bernard driving his car into the river. Classic mythology - entertaining and memorable.
As some have pointed out, the live music is awkward and will make you uncomfortable.. And what's with the theme song by Coven? Weren't they the first satanic band? What's all this "love thy neighbor" from the first satanic band? All the satanists must have felt betrayed.
Overall: too dated to be considered great. Too weird to be considered sappy. Too violent to be considered childlike or innocent. Better than "Hot to Trot." Not as good as "Throw Momma From the Train." Who will love this film? See it just once.
Stick it to The Man!
Billy Jack is one of those movies that seems to have absolutely no middle ground with people, i.e., one either hates it or loves it. I fall into the latter category.
Although this film was shot on a shoestring budget and contains some of the worst acting - and singing -- ever recorded on film, I love everything and I do mean *everything* about this movie! It will appeal to anyone who is: A) a major fan of the sixties; B) who still believes in the "peace and love" idealism of that time; C) those who love movies with scenes that are aimed directly at invoking your most basic emotions by way of manipulating you with cheap and shameless sentimentality.
Billy Jack panders to your sense of utter outrage at blatant hypocrisy and injustice, and invokes the hippie/flower child fear of living in a truly hostile environment infested with mindless townspeople and hateful rednecks.
Stick it to the man! Highly recommended!
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