I saw this film with friends and family in the theater when it 1st came out. My friend loved the soundtrack so much he bought the album. Elizabeth James, aka "Vicky," was a real "hottie." She was smooching all over Billy Jack at the end of the film. We were originally informed that Billy was an "ex-Green Beret." Now before I go any further I just want to say that I still like the film but in a different way than before. Fast Forward to the 2nd film, "Billy Jack." Both California and Vicky have disappeared without an explanation. However Billy's new love interest seems to be his real life wife Delores Taylor, who stays on in the next 2 movies as well. (Hmmm...) We still enjoyed watching Billy kick Mr. Posner in the head though. (Continued in the Billy Jack section)

Tom Laughlin directed and stars as Billy Jack, a former Green Beret and jaded Vietnam war veteran who is trying to live peacefully in a small California town that is overrun with a dangerous motorcycle gang that terrorizes residents. After one motorist is severely beaten, and several young women attacked, Billy takes one of them under his protection, and sets out to defeat the gang, despite being virtually alone. Billy must use his considerable martial arts skills and his rifle to accomplish this. Debut of popular character Billy Jack is mostly a preview of what was to come; film itself is dreary and unappealing. First of four films.

For some reason, I remember this as being the target of jokes and sneers when it was new.Making sure to avoid prejudice, wanting to see it myself and know for sure, I recorded it when it premiered on Turner Classic Movies so I could watch in the right mood.What a pleasant surprise it turned out to be.To the best of my weakening memory, I don't believe I've ever seen Tom Laughlin and now I wonder why.First, he was a really good-looking guy, and he was a very pleasant personality on screen. He should have become a major player.Elizabeth James might not have been the best actress around in the '60s and '70s, but my gosh was she a looker. She had a fit, athletic presence, and just glowed on the screen, and she should also have been a major player.And why isn't there more information about her? She seems a fascinating person.Not such a surprise, but really deserving prominent mention, was Jane Russell's performance.She has not been treated with the respect I think she deserves, having not completely recovered from the "wouldn't you like to tussle with Russell?" PR nonsense from her first movie, "The Outlaw." But she was, frankly, great in this small part. Actually, she had been turning in great performances for a long time, and she has been great because she made the effort to become an actress, and not just coast on her looks.Jeremy Slate was so good in his villainous role, his character was almost admirable, almost likable. The man is a standout in any movie he is in. He's been gone a little more than two years now, and he left a void.Let's be honest: The script could have used a good editor. There were some hokey moments that could have been fixed with just a little effort before production.But all in all, this is a good movie, within the context of what it tried to do and be.Now I look forward to seeing the other "Billy Jack" movies.

This flick was pathetic. So bad, it's still not good enough to be "so bad, it's good". Billy Jack is an Indian? From what Native American tribe? The white Irishmen? They say this guy Laughlin has a martial arts background? I know at least ten residents of an assisted living home that could mop the floor with his self righteous ass. He has the strange ability to render people helpless with feeble karate chops. And what about that biker leader with the white-framed sunglasses? Was this a fem bike club or what? And the chick riding around on a scooter with white gogo boots and a white bikini? Who the hell did she think she was? Girls who cavorted around like that were considered to be sluts anyway, so what's the point? Jane Russell hit rock bottom here. Tom Laughlin is definitely talent free. A loser indeed. This movie reeks!