In his "Movie and Video Guide", film critic Leonard Maltin gave "Billy Jack" 1.5 stars out of 4, writing: 'Seen today, its politics are highly questionable, and its 'message' of peace looks ridiculous, considering the amount of violence in the film.' Roger Ebert gave the film 2.5 stars out of 4 and also saw the message of the film as self-contradictory, writing: 'I'm also somewhat disturbed by the central theme of the movie. "Billy Jack" seems to be saying the same thing as "Born Losers"; that a gun is better than a constitution in the enforcement of justice.' Howard Thompson, writing for "The New York Times" agreed, calling the film 'well-aimed but misguided' as he wrote: 'For a picture that preaches pacifism, "Billy Jack" seems fascinated by its violence, of which it is full.' He added that 'some of the non-professional delivery of lines in the script by Mr. Frank and Teresa Christina is incredibly awful." "Variety" magazine opined that 'the action frequently drags' and at nearly two hours' running length, 'The message is rammed down the spectators' throats and is sorely in need of considerable editing to tell a straightforward story.' Gene Siskel gave "Billy Jack" 3.5 stars out of 4, calling it 'a film that tries to say too many things in too many ways within an adequate story line, but it has such freshness, original humor and compassion that one is frequently moved to genuine emotion'. Kevin Thomas, in the "Los Angeles Times", also liked "Billy Jack", praising its 'searing tension that sustains it through careening unevenness to a smash finish. Crude and sensational yet urgent and pertinent, this provocative Warners release is in its unique, awkward way one of the year's important pictures.'