Buffalo Bill and the Indians

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Buffalo Bill and the Indians

PG

Released May 24, 1976

2h 3m

Comedy

Drama

Western

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Popcornmeter

61%

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18 Reviews

47%

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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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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

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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

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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

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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

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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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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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