Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Glacial
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- Moderate
- earnest
- confrontational
- polemical
- cult film night
- 1970s cinema retrospective
What critics said
Critics broadly regarded the film as an overlong, rambling, sanctimonious political melodrama whose polemics and self-conscious presentation overwhelmed its stronger moments.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
The Freedom School's television exposes, confrontations with local authorities, and accusations against the governor make political argument central to the drama.
Jean Roberts guides a flourishing Freedom School while townspeople, police, and political officials work to suppress it.
The 170-minute film devotes substantial space to school activities, journalism, television broadcasts, political exposes, and public confrontations.
Yoga sports, muckraking students, privately produced television, and opposition to police and government define the school's social world.
Films like The Trial of Billy Jack, and why
Billy Jack
political melodrama, countercultural idealism, and confrontational social critique
Medium Cool
activist filmmaking, institutional abuse, and impassioned anti-establishment drama
The Spook Who Sat by the Door
1970s political anger, extended running time, and polemical social commentary
Movie Details
- Director
- Tom Laughlin
- Release Date
- 1974-11-13
- Runtime
- 173 min
- Rating
- 5.9 / 10 (25)
Cast
- Tom Laughlin
- Delores Taylor
- Victor Izay
- Teresa Kelly
- Sara Lane
- Geo Anne Sosa
- Riley Hill
- Sparky Watt
- Gus Greymountain
- Sacheen Littlefeather
Where to watch in United States
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is The Trial of Billy Jack about?
- A released ex-convict returns to defend an idealistic Freedom School from escalating political repression, local bigotry, and a government-backed campaign to destroy it.
- What is The Trial of Billy Jack like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of The Trial of Billy Jack as glacial, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as layered.
- Is The Trial of Billy Jack violent?
- Somewhat. Ember rates the violence in The Trial of Billy Jack as moderate.
- What did critics think of The Trial of Billy Jack?
- Critics broadly regarded the film as an overlong, rambling, sanctimonious political melodrama whose polemics and self-conscious presentation overwhelmed its stronger moments.
- Which films are like The Trial of Billy Jack?
- Films with a similar feel include Billy Jack, Medium Cool, and The Spook Who Sat by the Door.
- How long is The Trial of Billy Jack?
- The Trial of Billy Jack runs 173 minutes.
- Where can I watch The Trial of Billy Jack?
- In United States, The Trial of Billy Jack is available to rent or buy from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home.
