The Born Losers

source: The Born Losers

Trailer—The Born Losers

The Born Losers

This rather pedestrian film about motorcycle gang violence did serve to introduce the classical hero Billy Jack to the cinema. Tom Laughlin who directed The Born Losers then took his character and made an iconic 60s film with him and then some not as good sequels. But Billy Jack starts here and we meet him tangling with Jeremy Slate and his motorcycle gang. This bunch makes Marlon Brando's crowd look like the kids from Covington. They take their pleasures from unwilling young women and have a whole Pacific coast town in terror. Having seen Billy Jack's martial arts skills in the Billy Jack movie I was surprised to see how little was employed here. Left me disappointed. Jane Russell looking a bit the worse for wear got a pay day out of this as Elizabeth James's mom. James was one of the rape victims and she is the love interest for Billy Jack. From most humble beginnings a cinema masterpiece emerged as a sequel.

This is probably the least horrible (this isn't saying much) and first Billy Jack film. Instead of having Billy Jack defending his beloved hippie friends like he did in later films, a group of sadistic evil bikers invade a small town and Mr. Jack is the only one who can stop them. As a pacifist who turns maniac and dispenses justice to evil doers, this film is pretty watchable--despite its lousy production values and stilted acting. This isn't exactly a glowing review, but at least the film isn't terrible like the sequels. Its very similar to a lot of the biker films of the era, but perhaps a notch above them in watchability. Note: It is pretty violent and full of rapes and sexual exploitation, so the kids should not watch.

(the following may contains minor spoilers)i liked this first of four Billy Jack films.it's a simple story about one man who tries to fight injustice,usually(and reluctantly) with his feet and hands.in this film,the enemy happens to be a gang called The Born Losers(hence the title)who have been terrorize the neighbourhood and victimizing people.the film is well paced with some good fight sequences.the acting is also decent enough,for the most part although there are a couple of over actors in the bunch.overall,the movie is entertaining enough,although it sends mixed messages about violence and if it actually solves problems.anyway,for me,The Born Losers is an 8/10

Born Losers (1967) was the first of the Billy Jack series. Like most films that are later "franchised", the first film is usually the best and this one is no exception. No pontificating or posturing, it's what Billy Jack does best, putting in work and taking names. Watch the townsfolk back off of Billy Jack because they know what he's capable of. This was before the silly b Freedom School nonsense. Born Losers is just a straight forward biker white exploitation film. No flowery signifying from Billy Jack, no sir. Too bad he went into a different direction with the latter films, padded out with nonsensical scenes and overlong running times. He could have revolutionized action films. But I'll have my memories and enjoy this one for what it's worth. Biker trash pulling Billy Jack's chain and watching them pay the price! Followed by Billy Jack, Trial of Billy Jack and Billy Jack Goes to Washington. Fun stuff. Highly recommended.