Billy Jack Goes to Washington, a remake of the 1939 Frank Capra classic Mr Smith Goes to Washington, compensates for its lack of subtlety with an angry, attack on governmental corruption.
The corruption of the Senate in the Capra film is changed here to the issue of nuclear plants.
In the old James Stewart role of the innocent-turned-Senator, Tom Laughlin is fighting against the scheme of political boss Sam Wanamaker and corrupt fellow Senator E.G. Marshall to exploit a planned nuclear plant for their financial gain.
Laughlin, identified with activist groups, takes the same stand against the establishment Stewart did in the original.
By comparison with the brilliance of the Capra version, the pic is much flatter and largely devoid of performing or visual nuances.
