Billy Jack Goes to Washington

Billy Jack Goes to Washington (1977) was the last film in the Billy Jack

series. Unlike the other films where the political posturing was kept in check, Tom Laughlin goes full tilt boogie into the subject. In this virtual remake of the classic Mr. Smith Goes to Washington, Billy Jack is

appointed the vacant senatorial seat after receiving a full pardon from the

Governor. Why did they give this man a political platform I'll never know. But they did and he tries to do his best to let the whole nation know that

he's the last and only honest man in Washington D.C.

Why do we watch Billy Jack movies. Most of you will answer because he

kicks butt and takes names. But the latter films focus more on his "acting" and the metaphysical being of one's self. If you watch Billy Jack for these

reasons raise your hand. That's what I thought.

For die-hard Billy Jack fans, others beware!

Recommended.

Skipping through the sat channels the other night I stumbled across this movie and thought I might give it a look. Having seen the original Billy Jack a few years back I figured it might be worth a few laughs if it was anything like the original. To my surprise it was much better then the first film. It had some decent scripting and Laughlin is not that bad an actor, especially when working with a seasoned veteran like E.G. Marshall. Despite a somewhat contrived plot the movie did get it's point across showing the corruption in Washington and how one man can make a difference. The movie is no Mr. Smith goes to Washington, but then Laughlin is no Jimmy Stewart and for that matter Jimmy is no Billy Jack.

First, let me say I have always been a Billy Jack fan. I had seen the other movies several times, but never this one until now. The story followed Mr. Smith so closely that you can't help but make comparisons throughout. Tom Laughlin was an adequate actor, he and his wife were always the best actors in any of the other movies. But he is no Jimmy Stewart. And even the addition of other skilled actors (Pat O'Brien and E.G. Marshall most notably) could not save this movie. Add some sloppy editing and this movie was at times painful to watch. If you want to enjoy this story line, get Mr Smith goes to Washington. If you want to see a good Billy Jack movie get, The Trial of Billy Jack. But stay away from this trash.

As a Washington, D.C. native who saw this film when it was first released (and, contrary to some other comments, it WAS released in DC, playing in several area theaters), I was interested to see how Laughlin would portray the city and its political institutions. Surprisingly, he did so very well. The debt to Jimmy Stewart is obvious throughout but, having said this, his film reflected the political temper of the city in the late 1960's-early 1970's very well indeed. The dialog was not brilliant or sparkling, but there were some good lines: "Pigs get fat, hogs get slaughtered," is one I remember, referring to bribes and corruption. No matter what one's political views are, this is a film that can be viewed as escapist entertainment and, now from a vantage of several decades, with some nostalgia as well. Worth a rental, definitely, and better if seen with someone who lived through the era.

The only differences between this film and Mr. Smith Goes to Washington are to update it from 1939 to 1977 and to fit it into the context of the Billy Jack character. Even some of the names are the same. Jimmy Stewart's portrayal of Mr. Smith is a classic. This remake doesn't come close to living up to the original. If you're a Billy Jack fan it's worth a watch. If you're not a Billy Jack fan watch Jimmy Stewart in the original instead.