Billy Jack (1971)
Delores Taylor: Jean Roberts
Photos
Quotes
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Jean : We'll go someplace else, someplace were it doesn't have to be like this.
Billy Jack : Oh, really? Tell me, where is that place? Where is it? In what remote corner of this country-no-entire goddamn planet is there a place were men really care about one another and really love each other? Now, you tell me were such a place is, and I promise you that I'll never hurt another human being as long as I live.
[shouts]
Billy Jack : Just one place!
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Jean : You just can't keep making your own laws. There's got to be one set of laws fair for everyone, including you.
Billy Jack : That's fine. When that set of laws is applied to everyone, then I'll turn the other cheek too.
Jean : There's got to be a better way to change those people.
Billy Jack : CHANGE those people? You worked with King, didn't you?
Jean : Yes!
Billy Jack : Where is he?
Jean : Dead.
Billy Jack : And where's Bob and Jack Kennedy?
Jean : Dead.
Billy Jack : Not "dead", their brains blown out! Because YOUR people wouldn't even put the same controls on their guns as they do on their dogs, their bicycles, their cats, and their automobiles.
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Billy Jack : [giggling] I can't believe it. I really can't believe this guy. Can you believe it?
Jean : Not really, no.
Billy Jack : You know what he reminds me of?
Jean : What?
Billy Jack : A little monkey. Posner's little monkey, runnin' around tryin' to get in all the bananas. Get your blouse and get outa' here.
Girl : Will you look?
Billy Jack : [scoffs] Probably. Get your blouse.
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Barbara : What is the snake ceremony?
Jean Roberts : A ceremony where Billy becomes brother to a snake.
Barbara : How does he do that?
Jean Roberts : By going on the mountain and being bitten by the snake over and over. Then he passes into unconsciousness for the last time. And if he lives, he has a vision. And in this vision, he finds out what his life's mission will be and who the spirit will be to guide him on this mission.
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Jean : So easy for you to die dramatically! It's a hell of a lot tougher for those of us who have to keep on trying!
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Jean : I know I've never said it to you, but I think you know. I love you.
Billy Jack : I think you know, too.
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Jean : What about Barbara?
Billy Jack : It's up to her to decide.
Jean : Barbara, will you go out with me?
Barbara : No.
Barbara : May I ask why?
Barbara : From the day I was born until this moment, and every second in between, life has been one big shit brick. I just can't take it anymore. From the way things are going, well as Indians say, "Today's as good as any to die."
Jean : You've taught her well.
Billy Jack : An Indian isn't afraid to die. Don't ever expect the white man to understand that.
Jean : I understand it. That's good for an Indian.
Billy Jack : Like the old man said: Being an Indian is not a matter of blood, it's a way of life.
Jean : I understand that, too. But she's a 15-year-old child who worships the ground you walk on. And now she's gonna die needlessly because you haven't got the guts to control your temper. It's so easy for you to die dramatically. It's a hell of a lot tougher for those of us who have to keep on trying.
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Sheriff Cole : Jean, they wanna know where Billy is.
Jean : Who ever knows where Billy is?
Sheriff Cole : Well, you must have some way of getting in touch with him when you need him for emergencies.
Jean : Whenever we want Billy, we just contact him Indian style.
Sheriff Cole : What does that mean?
Jean : We just want him and somehow he shows up!
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Jean : [tearfully] I know to let them handcuff you, close you in, and lock you up, is by far the hardest thing you've ever done. And I know that you're only doing it because of the love you have for the kids. And me.
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Jean Roberts : He's still in the rapture of the vision. A great Indian holy man, Wovoka, is speaking through him.
Barbara : You mean they had holy men, like saints?
Jean Roberts : They sure did! And Wovoka was one of the greatest. Once even Christ appeared to him.
