MovieChat Forums > The Trial of Billy Jack (1974) Discussion > I thought Billy Jack was a Green Beret

I thought Billy Jack was a Green Beret

posted 11 years ago by anthonynorris-783-181359
4 replies | jump to latest

Isn't Billy Jack stated to be a former Green Beret(Special Forces)but in the flash back he is wearing the insigna of the 101st Airborne Division.

[–] gladiator_mtl-768-247896 9 years ago

Yes he is why?

[–] anthonynorris-783-181359 9 years ago

Green Berets=Special Forces http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special_Forces_%28United_States_Army%29
The 101st Airborne is an Air Assault Infantry Division http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/101st_Airborne_Division

They should have had this insignia on his uniform http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special_Forces_%28United_States_Army%29#m ediaviewer/File:US_Army_Special_Forces_Shoulder_Sleeve_Insignia.svg

Not this one http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/101st_Airborne_Division#mediaviewer/File: US_101st_Airborne_Division_patch.svg

[–] spaz47 9 years ago

I caught that as well. The Green Berets never wore steel helmets either, but the green beret as was their signature. Mr. Laughlin sacrificed the integrity of his storyline & character to depict the mean, evil war machine in this film. Without those Green Beret skills the previous scenes in the last two movies suffer a credibility loss.

[–] AlexanderAnubis 7 years ago

anthonynorris-783-181359 wrote:

“Isn't Billy Jack stated to be a former Green Beret(Special Forces)but in the flash back he is wearing the insigna of the 101st Airborne Division.”

I lack the stamina to risk exposing myself to the movie a second time to actually check, but I’m certain you’re correct.

I also seem to recall quite clearly that during one of the trial scenes very early in the film our hero affirms that he attended West Point, but in the Vietnam flashback he’s not an officer. Either Billy flunked out or maybe Tom was a little mixed up…or I just didn’t pay enough attention.

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