The Trial of Billy Jack

Jean Roberts narrates the entire story from her hospital bed after a shooting, using flashbacks to recount the intertwined events. The framing sequences establish the perspectives of Billy Jack, the Freedom School, and the town's tensions. Her vigil in the hospital sets the emotional tone for the memories that follow.

Billy Jack goes to court facing an involuntary manslaughter charge. During the proceedings, he mentions the 1968 My Lai massacre and recalls witnessing a similar atrocity while serving in Vietnam. He is found guilty and sentenced to a prison term of at least five years.

In a flashback, Billy Jack witnesses a massacre in Vietnam. The memory haunts him during the trial, underscoring the film's exploration of violence and conscience. The scene juxtaposes war-time atrocity with personal responsibility.

While the trial unfolds, the Freedom School community vows to rebuild after the crisis. They raise funds, acquire a new building, and establish their own newspaper and television station. The school aims to empower its students through media and education.

Inspired by investigative programs, the school uses its newspaper and TV station to uncover local corruption and government actions. The exposés ignite anger among politicians and townspeople and escalate conflicts over Native rights. The school deepens its civic engagement.

The school broadens its activities with a search and rescue team, a marching band, and belly dancing performances. They host a large festival and a marching-band contest called 1984 Is Closer Than You Think to raise funds. The event showcases the school's creativity and community involvement.

Billy Jack is released from prison and begins long vision quests to reconnect with his spirituality. He meets a hapkido master in Han and trains under him. He also becomes involved with a radical group opposing federal efforts to surrender tribal lands.

The school defends a tribal member arrested for poaching on former tribal land; hearings on Native rights and child abuse unfold. They defy a court order to return Danny to his abusive father. The FBI begins visiting the school and taps their phones.

A mysterious explosion at the school knocks their TV station off the air, heightening tensions between the school and the town. Debates rage over whether to meet brutality with nonviolence or with brute force. Jean tries to refrain from giving direct guidance so the students decide their own actions.

The governor declares a state of emergency and mobilizes the National Guard, instituting a curfew. The students respond with a parade in defiance of the curfew, escalating tensions. A bus breaks down, and townspeople threaten to torch it.

Billy Jack arrives to protect the students and tries to rescue a tribal member being harassed at a local dance. He and Han confront a gang; Posner attempts to arrest them and fires, hitting Han in the chest. Billy Jack retaliates with a decisive kick to Posner, killing him, and Han is taken to hospital.

The sheriff attempts to arrest Billy Jack, but the students' riot blocks his capture. The National Guard surrounds the school and the state police escort Billy Jack outside for a break, giving him a gun. He is shot in the back during the escape, but he slips away into the night.

Jean intervenes during a school meeting and urges the group to choose love over retaliation. Danny appears with a hook and sings briefly with Carol. The students burn a supply shack for a bonfire, signaling their resolve.

A warning shot triggers a brutal crackdown as the Guard is ordered to open fire on the students. Four are killed and hundreds wounded, including Jean, Danny, and Carol. Native leaders arrive with torches and the sheriff as the militia withdraws under government notice.

Back in the hospital bed, Jean muses on the freedoms that existed and the massacre's cost. Billy Jack receives a spiritual message that he must learn the 'fourth way' and seek inner peace before moving on. He awakens to find Jean brought back to the school, and the students pledge to march and rebuild, signaling a new beginning.