MovieChat Forums > Ode to Billy Joe (1976) Discussion > Everyone on this board is watching an ed...

Everyone on this board is watching an edited version of this movie!!

posted 19 years ago by NickMat25
14 replies | jump to latest

I suggest you run out and rent the film, if you can, to see the scene where Billy Joe admits that he willingly went with the man. It's too bad you are all commenting and drawing conclusions on a film that you haven't seen in it's entirety.

As to whether the movie is identical to the song, I would have to here the whole song in it's entirety as well. Anyway, the film is the film, the song, the song. Irrelevant at this point.

Also, I believe the film captured what Bobbie Gentry wanted to capture since...

"Gentry next surfaced on the big screen, credited as co-writer for a 1976 film adaptation of Ode to Billie Joe." AllMusic guide

[–] jkinoz 19 years ago

The scene you refer to was included in last night's airing of the movie on CMT. I agree, the movie and the song are two different things and should not be expected to be identical. However, after watching the film again last night, Bobbie Gentry did not receive co-writing credit.

[–] J_Malice 19 years ago

Yeah, I also saw that scene in last nights airing of "Ode To Billy Joe". I missed everything else basically up to that point(started watching as Bobbie Lee walked up and sat on the bridge with Billy Joe). Is the rental version much different???

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[–] rebekel 15 years ago

My recollection is that he said "I have been with a man." That is far different from saying he went willingly - he was too drunk to really know what happened. When I was growing up in the South, I remember that people thought that having a same-sex experience "made you gay". There was no understanding that sexual identity is complex and has more to do with who you are than what you do.

[–] tipray 15 years ago

That is the important dynamic - I agree. The song is intentionally vague, probably to spark imagination. This is one of my favorite movies. I was perplexed for a long time about why the doll, Benjamin, was thrown off the bridge though. I think I concluded that it was sort of a a metaphor for innocence lost, or leaving her childhood behind, the end of an era, etc.

And I agree the movie really does invoke the quiet yet dangerous (to outsiders and especially to gays) feel of the insular town.

[–] knight-in-black-leather 15 years ago

My recollection is that he said "I have been with a man." That is far different from saying he went willingly - he was too drunk to really know what happened. When I was growing up in the South, I remember that people thought that having a same-sex experience "made you gay". There was no understanding that sexual identity is complex and has more to do with who you are than what you do.

In the film, Bobbie Lee tries to console Billy Joe by telling him exactly what you said...that he was drunk and didn't know what he was doing. However, Billy Joe tells her he DID know what was happening. So, we know he willingly had sex with Dewey Barksdale.

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[–] Zando777 13 years ago

He may have known what was happening on some level -- i.e., he wasn't passed out. But that wouldn't constitute legal consent for a woman (or presumably a man) under modern rape statutes, if the person is intoxicated.

I think Billy Joe (who may have been either gay or bisexual, or just bi-curious), was taken advantage of, but knew what was happening, probably enjoyed it on some level, and was guilt-ridden as a result.

[–] unknown_soul278 13 years ago

Now the same standards for consent apply to both men and women; when this movie takes place people didn't think a man could be raped. Either way, most rapes today are not even reported, and a man is even less likely to report than a woman. Back then, I would be surprised if any rapes with male victims were ever reported.

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[–] chromaone 15 years ago

She says, "I couldn't be wrong about the only boy in the world that I'd permit to love me.", and tries to kiss him again, but he pushes her away and replies, "Well you are wrong."

Makes it clear at least what he thought of himself.

[–] krisluvkev 13 years ago

Yes he does admitt he knew what was going on but he also says how sexually frustrated he was over her as well. Being drunk, horny and maybe a little curious doesn't make him gay. I don't even know if he was curious, just horny and drunk.

Bobby Gentry doesn't know why the real young man jumped of the bridge. Hollywood just remade Splendor in the Grass type movie by adding same sex. This movie and Splendor in the Grass is basically the same movie. Dealng with sexual frustration at a time in our history where morality taught that any sex outside of marriage and Gods law is wrong. Both movies carry the theme of ignorance and non-communication.

In todays world Billy Joe would still probably question his sexuality, but he might come to the conclusion sooner that it was just a disgusting mistake. One he would never repeat.

[–] LurkingFigure 13 years ago

i still believe that sex outside of marriage is wrong...

the public oppinion sure has shifted though

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[–] Zando777 13 years ago

I hope you're not conflating traditional morality with ignorance. It works far better in many respects than modern mores. As difficult as it may be, the world would be a far less troubled place if people only had sex in marriage. Less illegitimacy, less poverty, more parental guidance, less crime, fewer STD's, very little AIDS, etc.

[–] Trajanc 12 years ago

Disgusting mistake? How so?
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[–] grampaw 13 years ago

RJP

I saw the streaming version Netflix last night. I believe what's being referred to is the scene after Billy Joe rants and raves about the shame of being with a man, and Bobbie Lee responds he was just drunk, he then says the key six words; "I knew what I was doing."

[–] 13 years ago

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