Watch The Born Losers For Free

It's funny watching the elements come together in this complicated scam. On one hand, the set-up isn't quite as complex as it seems, but there's an easy sense of fun in every exchange.

Although I seem to have had higher expectations than I thought, the movie is super entertaining.

Very good movie overall, highly recommended. Most of the negative reviews don't have any merit and are all pollitically based. Give this movie a chance at least, and it might give you a different perspective.

The joyful confection is coated in a sparkly gloss, bright enough to gleam from the darkest, most cynical corners.

Tom Laughlin directed and stars as Billy Jack, a former Green Beret and jaded Vietnam war veteran who is trying to live peacefully in a small California town that is overrun with a dangerous motorcycle gang that terrorizes residents. After one motorist is severely beaten, and several young women attacked, Billy takes one of them under his protection, and sets out to defeat the gang, despite being virtually alone. Billy must use his considerable martial arts skills and his rifle to accomplish this. Debut of popular character Billy Jack is mostly a preview of what was to come; film itself is dreary and unappealing. First of four films.

For some reason, I remember this as being the target of jokes and sneers when it was new.Making sure to avoid prejudice, wanting to see it myself and know for sure, I recorded it when it premiered on Turner Classic Movies so I could watch in the right mood.What a pleasant surprise it turned out to be.To the best of my weakening memory, I don't believe I've ever seen Tom Laughlin and now I wonder why.First, he was a really good-looking guy, and he was a very pleasant personality on screen. He should have become a major player.Elizabeth James might not have been the best actress around in the '60s and '70s, but my gosh was she a looker. She had a fit, athletic presence, and just glowed on the screen, and she should also have been a major player.And why isn't there more information about her? She seems a fascinating person.Not such a surprise, but really deserving prominent mention, was Jane Russell's performance.She has not been treated with the respect I think she deserves, having not completely recovered from the "wouldn't you like to tussle with Russell?" PR nonsense from her first movie, "The Outlaw." But she was, frankly, great in this small part. Actually, she had been turning in great performances for a long time, and she has been great because she made the effort to become an actress, and not just coast on her looks.Jeremy Slate was so good in his villainous role, his character was almost admirable, almost likable. The man is a standout in any movie he is in. He's been gone a little more than two years now, and he left a void.Let's be honest: The script could have used a good editor. There were some hokey moments that could have been fixed with just a little effort before production.But all in all, this is a good movie, within the context of what it tried to do and be.Now I look forward to seeing the other "Billy Jack" movies.

This film is something that Tarentino ought to remake, not updated but a simulacrum of the original. Make a nice follow-up to DEATH PROOF. (Where is Tom McLaughlin now?) The "martial arts" in this flick are pretty feeble, consisting of a few judo chops--the action on BILLY JACK was much more intense. That Billy ends up shooting the gang leader between the eyes (he DID warn him, though) is so anti-heroic that it rather spoils the film in some ways.Some of the camera work in BORN LOSERS borders on amateurish, the FAR side of amateurish that is. The sound quality is at times atrocious, and the Beachhouse/clubhouse is absurd- I've hung out with bikers, and believe me that place was ridiculously clean--the hardwood floors actually shine! The Deputy (who pokes Danny in the gut) seems like he SHOULD have been more heroic, but like all of the lesser roles he is completely undeveloped.Note that Elizabeth James has a co-writing credit on this!But for all of that, it still ranks among my favorite biker films.I find it patently absurd to see the subcategories listed as NIPPLE, PUBIC HAIR, NUDITY and so on, since there is very little actual nudity.BTW: I had a bit part (hippie kid #4) in BILLY JACK since they filmed parts of it at the new Buffalo Free School where I was in attendance. To anyone who keeps an eye open, you might also see that the swimming hole (where Jean was raped) is the very same pool as in EASY RIDER. I think I received about $140 for my three days on set.

I saw "Billy Jack" (the next film) first and believe it is the better Jack. There are many situations/elements in "Born Losers" which are more accessible in the later films.This "Born Losers" is mildly entertaining, I think, if you are more familiar with the character and situations Tom Laughlin creates. I don't think I would have been as interested if I didn't know Jack. So, I think a more involved Billy would have helped THIS movie - I kept waiting for Laughlin to perform, even if it's just to TALK more about his (Jack's) philosophies on life.The other interest is Jane Russell, in a supporting role. Her total film career reveals a versatility. Too bad movie makers didn't offer her more choice roles. **** The Born Losers (1967) Tom Laughlin ~ Tom Laughlin, Elizabeth James, Jane Russell