BILLY JACK

US, 1971, 115 minutes, Colour.
Tom Laughlin, Dolores Taylor.
Directed by T. C. Franks (Tom Laughlin).

Billy Jack - quite, a surprising film and quite a success. It is a student made film distributed by Warner Brothers. Its main star and director is Tom Laughlin who was the stodgy hero of the brutal, but popular box-office bikey film. The Born Losers. Here he directs himself well and acts a predictable part with conviction.

The film is designedly a message film and one directed towards youth, youth sympathies and styles. Race questions are dominant and questions of violence. Education issues are also interestingly presented, especially in the school shown in the film where the talents and the creativity of the youngsters are encouraged.

At times, the earnestness and the amateur hand show, but, on the whole, the film is moving.

1. This was a student production, independently made. Was this evident? In style, in subject, in sympathies, in bias?

2. What attitudes of older people did the film open with - to the young, to children, to animals, to shooting?

3. How did the film present the South? How sympathetically? How arrogant were these people - to African Americans, to Indians?

4. The chase and shooting of the horses. What did it reveal about the men? The significance of Bernard's refusing to shoot?

5. Billy Jack as a character? His attitude towards his land, horses, towards the men? Towards traditions? Billy Jack in himself - half-Indian, half-white. Vietnam background, southern U.S. arrogance? His role as a protector of Indians? His attitude towards law - if no public law, then individual law?

6. The attitudes of bitterness and revenge that permeated the film? Rights and wrongs?

7. The elders: the father of the girl, Bernard's father. The girl's attitude to her father, hospital and the lack of communication, the Haign - Ashbury scene. Why was the girl like this? Her pregnancy, bitterness. Was it best she was smuggled out to the school?

8. Jean - as a person, the school, her leadership. What were the principles behind the running of the school? Freedom - no artificial stimulants (drugs etc.) but creativity (music, poetry, psychodrama etc.), self-expression, self-confidence, honour. How was this best spelt out and illustrated in the film? Billy Jack's love for and protection of Jean (love despite age, looks etc.). His commitment to her beliefs?

9. The snake rite - its purpose and impact in the film, for Billy Jack, for religious insight into himself, God, Christ? The strange linking of these - God in oneself to interpret the world?

10. The clash of the children from the school (especially Indians and blacks) with the people of the town. The milk bar sequence and Billy Jack's karate. Why the hatred, suspicious clashes, humiliations? Is revenge and bitterness inevitable, credible? Bernard's place in this? His contrast with Billy Jack? what did he represent?

11. The role of the Sheriff?

12. The Board Meeting - how typical? How important and urgent in the film? The lack of communication? Bureaucracy afraid of freedom?

13. The impact of the role-play by the meeting? What did it reveal? How good a method is this for creating mutual understanding and respect? Did you like this sequence? Why? The role-play with the sheriff in the town? Comedy, joy, values of life?

14. Was Bernard's hatred credible - his wanting to shoot Billy Jack, the meanness of his revenge in raping Jean (and his friends standing by)?

15. Was Jean right in her attitude of silence, not telling Billy Jack? How did this enhance her character?

16. Billy Jack and Jean in representing the clash between violence and principles of non-violence. With whom did you agree? Why? How did the siege illustrate these principles? (And the death of Bernard and the taking of the girl?)

17. What were your impressions of the people watching the siege, T.V.?

18. Was Billy Jack's stand the only way to obtain rights? Where were your sympathies during the siege? Did you agree with Jean's and the Doctor's pleas?

19. Why did Billy Jack eventually come out? Did you expect him to?

20. Comment on the use and effectiveness of the songs in the film.

21. The film obviously appealed to the younger generation. Why? What appeal and message would it have for older audiences? How valid would the message be? How effectively communicated? Was it unfair against adults, Americans, the south?

22. Were the issues clear? Was it a satisfactorily earnest message film?