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Buffalo Bill and the Indians

Play trailer Poster for Buffalo Bill and the Indians PG Released May 24, 1976 2h 3m Comedy Drama Western Play Trailer Watchlist
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61% Tomatometer 18 Reviews 48% Popcornmeter 1,000+ Ratings
By 1885, beloved cavalryman Buffalo Bill Cody (Paul Newman) has hired a publicist and producer to help shape and promote his traveling Wild West show, which presents historically inaccurate reenactments of conflicts between U.S. troops and Native Americans. Cody hires Chief Sitting Bull (Frank Kaquitts) to play himself, as a villain, in stagings of the Battle of the Little Bighorn. But, to Cody's dismay, star performer Annie Oakley (Geraldine Chaplin) and spectators both take to Sitting Bull.
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Buffalo Bill and the Indians

Critics Reviews

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Vincent Canby New York Times It's a sometimes self-indulgent, confused, ambitious movie that is often very funny and always fascinating. Rated: 3.5/5 May 9, 2005 Full Review Dave Kehr Chicago Reader 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. Jul 24, 2001 Full Review Rene Jordan El Nuevo Herald (Miami) It's not that the film loses itself in digressions: it's that the film digresses from start to finish. [Full review in Spanish] Aug 3, 2023 Full Review Steve Warren The Barb (Atlanta) A good percentage of the funny stuff in this Robert Altman film works; even more of the serious stuff doesn't, and they don't blend well. May 9, 2023 Full Review Judith Crist Saturday Review It is fitting also that Altman... should cast his creative eye on history with the clarity, humor, and affectionate cynicism that have been the hallmarks of his work. Aug 9, 2022 Full Review Armond White Ann Arbor Sun The movie is a feat: a combination of great talent and genius insight into the American psyche as expressed through its popular culture, myths and legends. Jun 30, 2021 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Alec B The problem here is that Altman is just totally wrong for this material as it requires more narrative clarity to sell this particular kind of showy satire. Also the commentary is mostly obvious which is a real shame because there's a lot of potential here Rated 2 out of 5 stars 01/10/24 Full Review erroll f I tried to like this farce, with Newman, Harvey Keitel, Burt Lancaster you expect some great entertainment. It just doesn't happen here ,not for the long term at any rate, only flashes of interest.This movie is totally a snoozer. Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars 08/24/23 Full Review Shioka O It's not the best of Altman's nor Newman's. Another satiric tale by the director, not about Hollywood this time but early phase of American showbiz. The concept is interesting but this film doesn't support the narrative and actually confusing. There are thoughtful lines towards the end. I like that Newman took this role willingly. Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars 12/14/22 Full Review Audience Member The problem here is that Altman is just totally wrong for this material as it requires more narrative clarity to sell this particular kind of showy satire. Also the commentary is mostly obvious which is a real shame because there's a lot of potential here Rated 2 out of 5 stars 02/13/23 Full Review steve d Strong biopic with Newman doing a great job. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 03/30/23 Full Review Audience Member Just kind of bleh. Great actors on a journey to nowhere. Altman wants to make a point, but gets lost and bored along the way. I know how he feels. Money for nothing. Rated 2 out of 5 stars 02/01/23 Full Review Read all reviews
Buffalo Bill and the Indians

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Cast & Crew

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Robert Altman

Director

Paul Newman

William F. 'Buffalo Bill' Cody

Burt Lancaster

The Legend Maker

Joel Grey

Nate Salisbury (Cody's partner)

Harvey Keitel

Ed Goodman

Kevin McCarthy

Maj. John M. Burke (general press agent)

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Buffalo Bill and the Indians

Buffalo Bill and the Indians (1976) Buffalo Bill and the Indians (1976) Buffalo Bill and the Indians (1976) Buffalo Bill and the Indians (1976) View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis By 1885, beloved cavalryman Buffalo Bill Cody (Paul Newman) has hired a publicist and producer to help shape and promote his traveling Wild West show, which presents historically inaccurate reenactments of conflicts between U.S. troops and Native Americans. Cody hires Chief Sitting Bull (Frank Kaquitts) to play himself, as a villain, in stagings of the Battle of the Little Bighorn. But, to Cody's dismay, star performer Annie Oakley (Geraldine Chaplin) and spectators both take to Sitting Bull.
Director
Robert Altman
Producer
Robert Altman
Screenwriter
Robert Altman, Arthur Kopit, Alan Rudolph
Distributor
MGM/UA Home Entertainment Inc., Video Classics, United Artists
Production Co
De Laurentiis, Lion's Gate Films, Talent Associates Ltd.
Rating
PG
Genre
Comedy, Drama, Western
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
May 24, 1976, Wide
Release Date (Streaming)
Nov 30, 2016
Runtime
2h 3m
Sound Mix
Stereo
Aspect Ratio
Scope (2.35:1)
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