VHS : Ode to Billy Joe

Rating: - Where's The Complete Version?
When I saw this movie for the first time, I seem to remember that during the jamboree scene there is a shot of Billy Joe and his boss gazing into each others eyes, embracing, and dropping out of range of the camera. The VHS doesn't include this scene and neither does the cut I saw on CMT tonight. This was an important shot because it allowed the viewer to know exactly why Billy Joe was so tormented instead of making us wait and find out at the same time Bobbie Lee did. Without this scene, the viewer is left with the incorrect assumption that the Yazoo City hooker we see tempting Billy Joe in the mill is actually a man! In this edited version, we don't know the truth until the end when Billy Joe's boss confesses to Bobbie Lee on the bridge.

I think this is a great movie, the language reminds me of the way my relatives in the south talk, and everbody is sweating all the time so you can almost feel the oppressive heat. The cast is excellent. I would give this movie five stars, but not until an unedited version is released. And I'm not sure that's gonna happen anytime soon.

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Rating: - this movie touched me
although i am only in my twenties, i find myself liking older movies, maybe because i think it would be fun to live in the 70's. i agree this movie must be watched with a very open mind, and be taken with a grain of salt, but there is just something about it that grabs me, gets in my head and puts me in a different train of thought. it's real and in your face and has a very nice & unique romantic plot. although the movie presents homosexuality, and other raw topics, i still find it brillant. i feel this movie is special to those who appreciate the culture, truth & emotion brought to you by these astounding actors.

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Rating: - Ode to Billy Joe Review
I heard the song for the first time about a year and a half ago on the radio. It was very sultry, mysterious and intriguing; it reminded me of the "good ol' days" when things were still left to the imagination. But I was hooked enough to look up the lyrics on the internet as soon as I got home. I never realized there was a movie based on the lyrics until I happened to catch it on tv one day.
The acting and scenery are pretty good for that era, although I have to admit that the explaination the movie provides for the lyrics came as a surprise to me. It is a slow moving, coming of age story, so I think that anyone who finds the song as intriguing as I would be interested in seeing the movie once. However, I agree the asking price is very steep for a movie that one is not likely to watch repeatedly. And as much as I enjoyed the movie, I can understand why many others have not. I agree with "a viewer" who stated that one should rent the movie (or watch it on tv) before purchasing it.

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Rating: - too high
I really like this movie and want to own it. But there is no way in the world I would pay that price for it. The movie maybe a collector's item. But that is just way out of my price range for a movie that is 30+ years old.

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Rating: - profound
I too, am from MS and enjoyed the movie as a kid before I could understand the sexual implications. I saw it again as an adult in my late 20's and thought what a sad, dark movie. The acting is superb, the ruralscenery and characterizations are real. I don't believe the person writing the song had the same story in mind. But this is definite a story that happens often to the young teens. Just realize it is not a feel good movie. When is the DVD coming out? The song and movie do enhance each other.