PC Knockoff of MR SMITH GOES TO WASHINGTON
The basic story is right out of the Jimmy Stewart classic. A senator dies and, in a politically pandering move, Billy Jack is appointed as the replacement. The Senior senator wants to make sure that nothing remotely political gets put on his plate. Billy Jack decides to sponsor a bill for a youth camp and the senior senator encourages him, thinking it will keep him out of his hair. Everything falls to pieces, though, when Billy reveals the location of his proposed camp. A nuclear power plant is secretly being proposed for the site. This puts him at odd with the powers that be and results in a titanic struggle of good vs. evil. It just gets nastier when Billy refuses to knuckle under to intimidation.

There are a few differences from the original movie. The bogeyman here is nuclear power and, more generally, politicians. Also, this being a Billy Jack movie, there are the obligatory martial arts scenes starring the newly minted senator.

The movie gets some things right. It is appropriately cynical about Washington and politicians. It portrays corruption as the norm and it does so believably. It also makes an effort to use some sentimental imagery and footage to stir up patriotic feelings. It does not work with this cast.

This is nowhere near as good as the Jimmy Stewart movie but it is quite watchable. It is also much better than THE TRIAL OF BILLY JACK.

Bye Bye Billy
It's to easy to trash this movie and point out all it's flaws, so I'll try another way to review this one. The nice thing to say I guess is that by this time Billy Jack had run it's course. No one was interested in his counterculture "hippie" views by 1977. By that time it had worn very thin and people were already seeing that there was nothing left for Billy to do. With nothing new to say it was and is time for "One Tin Soldier To Ride Away". AH, but for a minute he did have his time in the sun.

Not The Best Of The Billy Jack Films
This was fourth and last of the Billy Jack Era. Tom Laughlin resumes his role as Billy Jack and Delores Taylor resumes her role as Jean Roberts. While sitting in prison from the third film a Senator suddenly dies which leaves an open spot in the Senate. After the Senator death it's revealed that he was conducting an investigation into the nuclear power industry, the remaining senator and the state governor must decide on a person who will play along with their shady deals and not cause any problems. So they decide to get Billy out of prison and give him the vacant sit. They figure by giving Billy the seat he won't give them enough trouble because he won't no anything. Billy is pardoned, released and nominated, after which he begins his duties. He soon notices that things aren't right, and starts trying to find out just what are going on. Even though it was the last of the 4 films it wasn't the best. I will give this film 7 weasel stars an also will say the second and the third films were the best.

One of the worst films ever made...
When I first rented this, I thought it was simply an update of Mr. Smith, meaning that the filmmakers would retain the same basic story (naive guy goes to Washington and fights the power), but give it a sort of modern spin. Man, was I wrong. It is an actual remake of Capra's masterpiece, using many of the same scenes, the same characters, and some of the dialogue. It's just unbelievably bad and ill conceived. To see someone like Billy Jack (who was totally anti-establishment, a hippie, and a convicted felon) be appointed to Congress in an effort to "reach out to young people" (as the film's governor says) is absurd. Then we find out that Billy Jack is friends with Senator Paine (played by EG Marshall, an excellent actor that doesn't belong in this pap). McLaughlin even tries to replicate Stewart's speeches in his film! WTF?? McLaughlin is a horrible actor, and not much of a writer/director either. This is one of the worst films ever made. McLaughlin had the nerve to say that he had trouble releasing the film because the "man" didn't want it to be seen. I think it had more to do with the fact that it's absolute garbage. Don't waste your time. The worst of the Billy Jack films, and that's saying a lot, considering the first 3 films weren't that great either.

Billy Jack just plain RULES!
I get upset with all the negative comments I read regarding the violence/karate scenes 'Billy Jack'(there are only 2 karate scenes in each, 'Billy Jack' & 'Trial of B.J.') probably less than 5-6 minutes of the total movie, yet people seem to ONLY remember those scenes and not all the PEACE & LOVE demonstrated throughout the movies. Ignorant people and ignorant federal, state and local government caused any other violence portrayed in these films!

Tom Laughlin's caring, self sacrifice and contributions to the enlightenment of this country's people through his 'Billy Jack' series of movies is just staggering in my humble opinion. As relevant today in 2006, as it was back in the seventies.

I personally felt as if a bolt of lightening had just hit me in the head (and heart) as I walked out of that theatre after my first 'Billy Jack' experience so long ago. This young sophmore kid in high school determined to go out into the world and be an example myself, to try to make a personal and positive difference henceforth, no matter how large or small.
And, all those ticket sales verifying the 'Billy Jack' movie(s) popularity....just can't be wrong! 'Billy Jack' is the biggest selling independent film and on the list of the biggest selling top 20 films ever! Back in the 70's these movies literally enlightened and changed my life! And after watching them all over again in 2006 (including the 'Billy Jack Goes to Washington' which never got released) I have to say I think they are changing things yet again in my life, in ways I never imagined.

While I'm no expert on the workings and goings on of Hollywood, CA nor Washington D.C., I have no doubt that Tom Laughlin (and his wife Delores Taylor) 'hit the nail on the head' when they created these films. Writing, producing, directing and staring in them too, no small feat!

Yes......you should view (all) the 'Billy Jack' movies!!!! (Billy Jack, The Trial of Billy Jack and Billy Jack Goes to Washington).