The Trial of Billy Jack (1974)

it's hard to know where to begin with this movie. I Saw Billy Jack in the theater as a teen. I found this sequel on youtube and watched it. I had to pause it regularly because it was so bad. it really has no redeeming qualities whatsoever. Unlike many bad movies that are so bad, they are good, this one is so bad it does not even have that quality. bad script, bad acting, bad directing, bad story line. it's to political to even be political. it's like one of those really horribly made Soviet propaganda movies from the 50's and 60's. so over the top. every character is cartoonish in nature. Usually I like past era films with a political statement but, this one rambles on and on and on. the best part of this movie is, it finally ended. worth watching if you are totally bored. it will get you off the couch to clean the bathroom grout. or, inspire you to do your own dental work on a toothache.

Can anyone watch "The Trial of Billy Jack" and not relate it to TSA, Gitmo, Abu Grade? Yes, much of the acting is flat and amateurish. However, given our present sorry state, can't we give points to this movie for its prophetic warnings? Hate "The Trial of Billy Jsck" if you must, but don't ignore its powerful message. Ignore or disparage "The Trial of Billy Jack at your own peril, as "Freedom School, 1975" is "Anytown, 2010". The National Guard who put down their arms remind me of the Oathkeepers.Let's not discount the fine photography, action and frequently moving scenes. Tom Laughlin also gives another fun performance. I give "The Trial of Billy Jsck" a "7".

Overlong and indulgent by what feels like 15 different dream sequences, the sequel to "Billy Jack" barely redeems itself with bigger budgeted action scenes. Tom Laughlin may have been able to coax the Billy Jack character out of his slumber, but in this sequel the man practically needs a pair of crutches. Now the lovable hippie school from the first movie has become a regular college, this accompanied by plenty of ominous voice-over about the endangered state of American universities due to rioting and violent National Guard suppression. To further send home the point, Laughlin throws in a hideous Vietnam flashback massacre to boot. Now the town's hillbillies are better organized and subdue/harass the peace-loving long-hairs and Native-Americans with even the FBI involved. Laughlin gained weight after the blazing success of "Billy Jack"--instead of getting buffer like Stallone for his follow-up "Rambo"--and it shows in the fight scenes. Now, Billy Jack likes to talk even more to his combatants before kicking their heads in. One exceptional dummy thrown out a window, only to land on its head, is actually a real human, but the rest of the action is unremarkable. By the time the government soldiers roll in to mow down the hippies, we've grown so tired of their singing and ceremonies and the 15 hallucinatory dream sequences Laughlin has included to suggest his kinship with Jesus Christ (seriously!), it's reminiscent of the end of Michael Cimino's "Heaven's Gate", where every romanticized immigrant per screen hour practically justifies the finale massacre. Tucson and Florence, Arizona do provide some wonderful locations.

There's no point in going into detail -- it would take too long -- as EVERYTHING in this thing stinks. I loved The Born Losers, and even Billy Jack had its moments, but The Trial of Billy Jack is just too painful to endure. It was almost as if they made a conscious decision when making this film: "Okay, let's ramp up the hokeyness TENFOLD, and have Delores Taylor's character be sad, and cry through what seems like the entire film. We'll even have our daughter's character get all sad and cry a bunch, just like her Mother does!" You would think one would learn something about film-making after your first two films, but apparently Tom Laughlin and Delores Taylor were more interested in making a personal statement based upon their views of the condition of society in America at that time, than in making a quality film, and for that I respect them, and give them the "power salute." And thanks for giving more screen time to Lynn Baker in this one, even if much of that time SHE was crying too. She was kind of earthy and appealing in Billy Jack, but wasn't on screen enough to suit me. Check out the Billy Jack Collection, as it includes The Born Losers, and features 2 different commentaries by Tom Laughlin and Delores for each film! The second one for The Born Losers is very interesting and informative, as that was their first film.