Would you stand up for others like Billy Jack did?
I rewatched the cult classic Billy Jack (1971) about a month ago and it’s been on my mind ever since. Billy Jack, a former Vietnam Vet Green Beret and half Cherokee, returns to the Indian reservation for some quiet. Unfortunately, he finds the opposite.
In the first scene, he stops the illegal rounding up and shooting of a band of beautiful wild horses. I fall in love with him right there. The roundup of horses continues today. Here we’ve got these iconic creatures, the only truly wild and free things without a master left in our country, and we destroy them to put in dog food. They’re also being rounded up because they’re in the way of the various gas and oil pipelines scarring the wild, wild west.
Even Canada’s been dragged into our energy madness with the creation of the Keystone XL tar sands oil pipeline. (Yes, the oil company says they will drill responsibly, but what does that mean?) What a lot of American’s don’t know is that the oil isn’t for use in our cars or homes it’s to be exported as heavy diesel fuel, probably to China and India.
Instead of looking for less destructive energy sources, we keep destroying the rest of the world, even ourselves.
But back to Billy Jack. He also appears magically if anyone tries to mess with the peace-promoting Freedom School on the reservation. (In the film, his real life wife runs the school.) Some silly boys in town like to taunt the students when they come into town for ice cream sodas. Although I prefer the Gandhi style of non-violence, when Billy Jack takes off his shoes and fights with his feet the taunters/bigots go a scampering. He confesses towards the end of the movie he wishes he could avoid violence but says it is part of him.
What’s truly remarkable about the movie is the back story. Tom Laughlin (Billy Jack) and his wife Delores Taylor ( Jean) risked everything they possessed to get the film produced (talk about perseverance). You can watch “The Untold Story of Billy Jack,” or read “The Amazing Story Behind The Legend of Billy Jack.” No studio wanted to support a film that addressed prejudice and bigotry in American society.
And it’s got a super fantastic soundtrack “One Tin Soldier.” I’ll be singing it at karaoke soon. Listen to the words. It’s an emotion-jerker when you discover the treasure for which the Valley People killed the Mountain People. (I’ll leave you in suspense!) Be forewarned: Billy does do some kicking in this scene, although it’s quite mild compared to today’s action films.
If you’ve watched Billy Jack, how did the film speak to you? If not, how does this song speak to you?
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I’ve not seen the movie, but I can understand why you are moved by it. I’m not sure to what extent I’d stand up for someone (meaning, I don’t know what I’d be willing to do… probably depends on the person and circumstance how violent I would get 🙂 ). But I know I’m a very loyal friend. I’m on your side.
ps.. I added Let the Music Play to my playlist but couldn’t find the Isley Brothers song. 🙁 I created the list at playlist.com.
Thanks for swinging by Angie. I can tell that you are a loyal friend. Wonderful trait.
Like you, I’d stand up for someone but not sure if I’d resort to violence. But then I haven’t been in a situation where those opposing me had weapons that might mean death or injury if I didn’t try to stop them. It’s certainly a staple at most demonstrations with the clubs, tear gas, etc. Not too many years ago after a sports team win in Boston, the police fired into a semi-semi rowdy crowd and killed a girl. Not sure the semi-semi rowdyness warranted the use of force. Yet, sports events themselves exhibit quite a bit of violence down on the field or in the rink. I went to a Bruins playoff game and can say for a fact that the crowd cheered most loudly when the players slammed each other into the plexiglass.
Enjoy your play list! Let me see if I can find the Isley Brothers song for you! If not that one, then Fight The Power is great too. G.
Fight the Power has been added!
The police fired into a crowd? Geez.
Glad you found Fight The Power. I have always adored that song. Like the message and the music. G.
I haven’t seen the movie, I’m interested in giving a watch now however. I would do anything for friends and family I love. Sometimes I think I would do too much. Thanks for sharing this. 🙂
Hi Rochelle,
You’ll enjoy the movie. It’s about people standing up for each other, for a greater good. I appreciate you stopping in! G.
Hi Giulietta,
i think it would depend on the person i have to stand up to
for some people i can do anything i can to make them happy
Hi Farouk,
That’s an interesting point – who you have to stand up to. Is it one person or an army? And are you alone or part of a bigger group.
Like a lot of action heroes, Billy Jack didn’t seem to mind if it were 1 person or 40 persons, he just seemed to summon up more power – not to mention the fact he knew it when people were trying to hurt his people.
Thank you for stopping in!
g.
The way you describe the movie it sound vaguely familiar to me as if I’ve seen part of it on TV. It sounds like a great experience. I may add it to my lists of movies to see.
J.D., think you’ll enjoy the movie. it has a good message. And the freedom school has just three requirements. One of them is to do something creative every day.
thanks! g.