Buffalo Bill and the Indians or Sitting Bull's History Lesson (1976)
Runtime: 2 hrs 15 mins
Synopsis: Robert Altman revisits American history--following the critical smash NASHVILLE--with this scathing indictment of celebrity and politics in the Wild West. Paul Newman (BUTCH CASSIDY AND THE SUNDANCE KID) stars as Buffalo Bill Cody, a man who has parlayed his legend into a grand... Robert Altman revisits American history--following the critical smash NASHVILLE--with this scathing indictment of celebrity and politics in the Wild West. Paul Newman (BUTCH CASSIDY AND THE SUNDANCE KID) stars as Buffalo Bill Cody, a man who has parlayed his legend into a grand moneymaking scheme. Employing a group of talented gunslingers and horseback riders, Bill's carnival show promotes an exaggerated view of American history. However, when the company recruits equally legendary Native American Chief Sitting Bull (Frank Kaquitts) and his interpreter, William Halsey (Will Sampson) to appear as defeated victims in the show, the lies begin to catch up with Buffalo Bill. While the appearance of President Grover Cleveland (Pat McCormick) further helps carve Bill's name in history, it is revealed that Sitting Bull is not completely done with Bill. Altman's adaptation of Arthur Kopit's play contains his signature roaming camera and sprawling cast, as well as conveys a sarcastic, cynical tone that aims to debunk myths created by the real-life legends on which the film is based. As the manipulative Buffalo Bill, a man whose conscience finally catches up with him, Newman delivers a comical and impassioned performance, adding yet another memorable character to his, and director Altman's, oeuvre. [More]
Genre: Westerns
Starring: Paul Newman, Frank Kaquitts, Joel Grey, Geraldine Chaplin, Kevin McCarthy
DVD Info
Release:
May 8, 2001
DVD Features:
- Region 1
- Keep Case
- Full Frame - 1.33
Audio:
- Dolby Digital Mono - English
- Dolby Digital Mono - French
- Dolby Digital Mono - Spanish
Additional Release Material:
- Trailers - 1. Original Theatrical Trailer
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Reviews
It's a sometimes self-indulgent, confused, ambitious movie that is often very funny and always fascinating.
Aspires to a cynical Brechtian snappiness, but the drama is too thinly imagined, the meanings too familiar and heavily stated, for this 1976 film to gather any real interest.
Explores the interface between heroes, hypocrisy, and illusion....What kind of America has been passed on to us by historians?


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