The Born Losers
July. 12,1967 PGA ruthless motorcycle gang rides into a California town and terrorizes its denizens.
Similar titles
Reviews
I love this movie so much
Good films always raise compelling questions, whether the format is fiction or documentary fact.
The film creates a perfect balance between action and depth of basic needs, in the midst of an infertile atmosphere.
It is a whirlwind of delight --- attractive actors, stunning couture, spectacular sets and outrageous parties.
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.
If you like Billy Jack, this is for you. Over 2 hours of a leading actress that can't act, a leading man who stands still without expression, and an inane group of men who are supposed to be dangerous because they are slightly bizarre. Sprinkle in ten minutes of Billy kicking big donkey, and you have the formula.Tom Laughlin knew a winner when he saw one and would use the main elements of this film in all of his future Billy Jack movies. In later films, his real-life wife would take over the role of the leading actress that can't act.This is a very low-budget movie. Future Billy Jack against the world movies had a couple more bucks. But true to form, as in all Billy Jack movies, there is no competent acting anywhere.Personally, none of this stuff turns me off of Billy Jack movies. In one movie, I see it for the gas station scene. In another, I want to see Billy put his right foot up against the guy's left ear. In a third, I want to see him shoot it out.For an anti-war pinko, Laughlin sure knows how to create some nice fight scenes. If the man would have moved a few more times per pic, he would have been a major star. But his style is to stand around for most of the movie with a deadpan expression, and then finally kick some butt.The Billy Jack movies are a lot like chitlins, limburger cheese, or kim chee. If you like that stuff, you don't mind the smell.This one stinks to high heaven.But it's a Billy Jack stink.
(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
Tom Laughlin created an interesting character here, although he doesn't really have the physical complexion of a Native American, and is the most civilized and essential part of this film.There is a cameo scene with Jane Russell as the traumatized mother (her daughter has been raped by the gang). The California bike gang includes such characters as "Gangrene" and "Crabs" clearly people who are on the lunatic fringe, and will not be missed in the world.While it's campy and obvious at times, for its time this was a fun endeavor at delineating societal issues and conflicts. Albeit a bit veiled and mild in its messages of discrimination, it's acceptable for a fun Saturday night flick. 7/10.