Billy Jack: The Complete Collection (1967-1977)

[ddwall]

17.99 at best buy I don't thing these films will get a better release so I bought them haven't watched these in years.

[zepol]

No wonder the low prices on this blu-ray set way too many issues.

[kidglov3s]

For some reason I got to thinking about the Billy Jack movies today and I'm deciding to bump this thread to say that it sucks I can't watch a good BD of Trial of Billy Jack.

[SpacemanDoug]

does the Image DVD of BJGTW from 2009 with the OAR have the 155 minute or the 114 minute version?

[Crimson King]

Originally Posted by SpacemanDoug

does the Image DVD of BJGTW from 2009 with the OAR have the 155 minute or the 114 minute version?

114 min.

[SpacemanDoug]

Has there ever been a home video release of the 155 minute version?

and why was it even edited down in the first place?

[KrugStillo]

I just watched my copy of Billy Jack Goes To Washington. Figured I’d offer my 2 cents since I have a bit of knowledge involving encoding. To my eyes it looks as if the ProRes file that was supplied to Shout was encoded in 1080i. This basically means it was probably a broadcast master. This may also explain the cropping of The Trial of Billy Jack (however it seems like Trial was properly encoded in 24p). Anyway it seems like someone (either Shout or the licensor) encoded the 1080i file in 1080p. This would cause a stutter identical to what I’m seeing. I’ve actually tried this myself with my own film shot in 1080i and discovered it was best just to leave it 1080i and not convert it. Now I don’t want to point fingers but this happens in the encoding stage. Almost like the encoding service was told to encode them al 1080p. They probably did it blindly without bothering to see if this frame rate was actually correct. The file itself could have been mislabeled also adding to the confusion. I would bet this is what happened.

[Marsupial Werewolf]

Would you guys say this set is still worth it to someone (me) who has never seen any of the films?

I mean... I don't know what other options I have at this point. I'd just like to see the darn things.

[KrugStillo]

I’d say yes. The first 2 ( and best in my opinion) films are presented well. The 3rd is cropped a bit and has a tiny bit of footage missing at the end. The 4th has a frame rate issue that is a bit distracting. Honestly though the first 2 films are worth the $30 price tag alone so you need to decide if that’s worth it for you.

[Phibes]

The issues with this set made me avoid it, till I saw the DVD set was $9.99 at my brick and mortar Walmart.

YMMV

Originally Posted by Marsupial Werewolf

Would you guys say this set is still worth it to someone (me) who has never seen any of the films?

I mean... I don't know what other options I have at this point. I'd just like to see the darn things.

[Zillamon51]

Yeah, sometimes you just have to settle for what's available. Who knows when these will be reissued again, and whether or not anything will be corrected.

You may not even notice any issues.

[Crimson King]

Originally Posted by SpacemanDoug

Has there ever been a home video release of the 155 minute version?

and why was it even edited down in the first place?

No home video of BJGTW has ever been the 155 version.
From what I have heard, The Laughlin's cut it right after the films first release, scenes with Suzanne Somers were cut completely, her name is still on the end credits though.
Soon after she hit paydirt with Threes Company.

[RCRochester]

Originally Posted by Zillamon51

Yeah, sometimes you just have to settle for what's available. Who knows when these will be reissued again, and whether or not anything will be corrected.

You may not even notice any issues.

It's hard not to notice the stuttering effects on Billy Jack Goes to Washington, though it wasn't as pronounced as I thought it would be and it was like living near a highway, after a while I didn't pay attention to it anymore.

[Zillamon51]

Originally Posted by RCRochester

It's hard not to notice the stuttering effects on Billy Jack Goes to Washington, though it wasn't as pronounced as I thought it would be and it was like living near a highway, after a while I didn't pay attention to it anymore.

That's what I'm talking about. Also, someone not already very familiar with the films wouldn't notice cut scenes or incorrect aspect ratio. I only know about them because they've been talked about here. So while this set is far from ideal, a casual viewer who just wants to watch the movies can make do.

[thatguamguy]

I can see opinions varying on "Trial" to some extent, but are there really people out there who'd consider "Washington" anything more than just a bonus feature on the set?

[Crimson King]

Originally Posted by thatguamguy

I can see opinions varying on "Trial" to some extent, but are there really people out there who'd consider "Washington" anything more than just a bonus feature on the set?

Washington went into political territory, not to mention a remake of an all time classic film.
The film was chock full off great actors, and it misfired.
It hold a soft spot with me because it was filmed in DC, pretty close to where I live.
It would be interesting to see if a workprint of the 155 edit ever surfaces, just to see it once, even in SD.

[thatguamguy]

I do agree that I'd be curious to see the long version, but I wouldn't expect it to be better, unless they cut out 40 minutes of Billy Jack acting like Billy Jack (something which is almost entirely absent from the film).

[Crimson King]

Originally Posted by thatguamguy

I do agree that I'd be curious to see the long version, but I wouldn't expect it to be better, unless they cut out 40 minutes of Billy Jack acting like Billy Jack (something which is almost entirely absent from the film).

There is the one scene with both him and his wife kicking the bad guys, and the other scene where he smashes a glass table, but that's it for BJGTW.

Born Losers and Billy Jack are the best in the series IMO.

I paid 17.99 for the set brand new at BBY, so at least I got it at a bargain price (for a Shout title anyway).
I still have my Image set of the 4 films, which has TBJ in its correct scope ratio, and BJGTW without stutters.

[thatguamguy]

Even the one action scene, it's very stereotypical poor black thuggish characters. It's more like something out of "Death Wish" than "Billy Jack". Before I saw the movie, I assumed that it was Billy Jack kicking senators in the face, that's the promise of the title, and that's what it's sorely missing.

I don't remember what I paid for the set, but it was under $20, during one of those December charity sales. I also kept my DVD set, for the same reason as you. "Billy Jack" is the one I actually care about; "Born Losers" is a better movie than "Trial" for sure, but "Trial" is more like what I want from a Billy Jack movie. (Being fair, "Born Losers" might be the closest to a genuinely good movie.)

[RCRochester]

Originally Posted by thatguamguy

Even the one action scene, it's very stereotypical poor black thuggish characters. It's more like something out of "Death Wish" than "Billy Jack". Before I saw the movie, I assumed that it was Billy Jack kicking senators in the face, that's the promise of the title, and that's what it's sorely missing.

Now that would have been awesome... the climax would have been Billy Jack fili-busting heads.