If you
weren’t there the first time around it’s hard to imagine what a cultural
touchstone (not to mention financial powerhouse) the Billy Jack movies
were. The Born Losers, which introduced Tom Laughlin as the world weary
just returned from Vietnam Indian, began a series of films that would make
Laughlin an unlikely star and American International a very happy film company.
Shot on a threadbare budget of $36,000, much of which Laughlin raised himself
in exchange for a percentage of the profits; it grossed an astounding 36
million worldwide. Billy Jack, its 1971 follow up, was even more successful, costing
$600,000 to make and grossing over 120 million!
Laughlin, who prior to creating the character was a modestly successful
television player with supporting roles in Wagon Train, Branded, and other
westerns of the time (and even smaller film roles) somehow convinced American
International into taking a chance with him as both star and (under the name
T.C. Frank) director. It was a relationship that paid off handsomely for all
parties involved but eventually dissolved over a series of law suits regarding
the marketing and branding of the Billy Jack persona. Much like the character he portrayed Laughlin,
who passed away in 2013, was a fierce individualist who refused to compromise
his principles.
As to the
film itself it’s difficult to judge it as a standalone entity, divorced from
the notion of Billy Jack as an edifying force.
In truth it’s not particularly well made, the low budget is clearly
evident, and as both actor and director Laughlin was perhaps half a notch above
serviceable. Nor is the script, by Laughlin and Delores Taylor, his wife of
nearly a half century, especially sharp or emotive. But none of that matters. This is a film about
a particular time and place; it’s built around capturing an era more than
fishing for an Oscar.
The plot
involves a malicious motorcycle gang that has been continually harassing the
residents of a small California town, intimidating the locals to the point
that, even after a series of Easter weekend rapes, no one will stand up to them
and bear witness to the exasperated police. As the gang attempts to threaten
the women into not testifying at the indictment hearing, one of the women,
Vicki (Elizabeth James), comes under the protection of Billy Jack, who has had
several previous altercations with the group. The gang escalates their pressure
on both Vicki and Billy Jack to keep her out of the courtroom, knowing their
testimony would likely result in long prison terms. The lead character is given surprisingly
little screen time, which both enhances his loner facade and allows the story
to focus on the confluence of events that leads to the inevitable climax. The
gang is out of control, the locals are terrified, and even the police are
hesitant to fully confront the bikers. In steps Billy Jack who, even though
severely beaten, puts a stop to this reign of terror. Elizabeth James, who left acting to
concentrate on producing children’s programs, gives a particularly strong
performance as a woman who refuses to be intimidated; quite a role model for a
time in which women were beginning to assert their rights of equality. And the ending, which finds Billy Jack badly
wounded and Vicki coming to his rescue, is a nice set up for the sequels to
come.
It had been
nearly four decades since I’d last seen The
Born Losers and was pleased to see how well it sustains, not as a film per
se but as an artifact of a time in which movie companies dared to do something different,
as stark contrast to today’s endless remakes and “based on real events”
banality. In that alone makes it worthy of reinvestigation.
Did you know?
Laughlin played Billy Jack for the fifth time in "The
Return Of Billy Jack" (1985), an unfinished film in which he battled child
pornographers. An ardent environmentalist and advocate for worker’s right he
waged campaigns for President of the United States in 1992, 2004, and 2008.
James
James
You really need to get James to do more film reviews. Whatever it takes! Double his salary!
ReplyDeleteOr send him more movies!
ReplyDeleteOr offer him the film rights, or let him direct! Heck, if a flick like Blair Witch Project can make money without expensive equipment, then maybe James can not only review films but make one or two himself.
DeleteGreat idea JMR777!
DeleteJames I'm commissioning a script from you that I will direct, produce and star in and the name of the B-movie we will be making is..........It Came From Hialeah!
Kickstarter here we come!
Don't worry if the movie to be doesn't have the high production values of Hollywood since so many of their blockbusters turned into goose egg busts.
DeleteA quick look at bleedingskull.com proves there is a market for any grade B horror flick (or in some cases, grade Z.)
The horror movie genre has room enough for everybody, so get to work on that script James, hop to it!
I can't help it... my FAVORITE of the "Billy Jack" movies!
ReplyDeleteIt is my favorite Billy Jack movie too..actually it's the only one I really like.
ReplyDelete