The Trial of Billy Jack (1974)
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50% of critics liked it
(6 reviews) -
57% of users liked it
(2,024 ratings)
After Billy Jack belatedly became a box-office smash two years after its original release and The Born Losers, the biker film in which Tom Laughlin created the Billy Jack character, had enjoyed a highly successful re-release, Tom Laughlin brought everyone's favorite martial arts hero turned Native… More After Billy Jack belatedly became a box-office smash two years after its original release and The Born Losers, the biker film in which Tom Laughlin created the Billy Jack character, had enjoyed a highly successful re-release, Tom Laughlin brought everyone's favorite martial arts hero turned Native American mystic back to the screen for a third go-round in The Trial of Billy Jack. As Billy Jack (Tom Laughlin) awaits trial for murder, Jean Roberts (Delores Taylor) continues to operate her "Freedom School" on an Indian reservation, where the student-operated television station comes under fire for airing a series of hard-hitting political exposes (just how an alternative school run by threadbare hippies obtained cameras, broadcasting equipment and an FCC license is not explained here). The attempts to silence the student journalists and run Billy Jack out of town lead to a deadly confrontation between the kids and the National Guard. Tom Laughlin wrote and directed The Trial of Billy Jack, though on-screen credit is given to his son, Frank Laughlin; similarly, Laughlin also directed the first two films under the name T.C. Frank. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi
- Rating, Runtime
- PG, 2 hr. 50 min.
- Directed By
- Tom Laughlin
- Genres
- Drama, Action & Adventure, Classics
- On DVD
- Oct 31, 2000
Critic Reviews
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Austin Kennedy, Sin Magazine
THE TRIAL OF BILLY JACK is one of those colossal failures that needs to be seen to be believed.
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Shane Burridge, rec.arts.movies.reviews
I defy anyone not to hit the fast-forward button any time a character picks up a guitar
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Kevin Carr, 7M Pictures
Billy Jack plays a lesser role, and while he experiences his vision quest in search of a balance between pacifism and ***-kicking, he's not the focus. And that hurts the film.
Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com
Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)
Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)
Featured Audience Ratings
Cast
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Tom Laughlinas Billy Jack -
Delores Tayloras Jean Roberts -
Victor Izayas Doc
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Terasa Laughlinas Carol -
William Wellman Jr.as National Guardsman -
Russell Laneas Russell
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