Critics didn't particularly care for this film when it was released. Since it was a Robert Altman film you could be sure that the thing was dead commercially. Still, it's an interesting film.
Altman's take on Buffalo Bill is probably a little obvious. Buffalo Bill is a braggart, conman and an honest to goodness American celebrity in this country's best tradition. Bill is running a wild west show that portrays the exploits of White Americans in a heroic manner. Never mind that the white culture was responsible for the eradication of almost all of the Native American population during America's pursuit of Manifest Destiny.
As usual with an Altman film there is a large cast. Paul Newman as Buffalo Bill is at the center of the film. However when it comes to an Altman film it's the fringes that are also interesting. One of Altman's skills as a director is moving actors around in an improvisational manner. The production looks great. The cinematography by Paul Lohmann really captures the Wild West Show and the surrounding Alberta, Canada area where it was shot. Final thought, I enjoyed this film a lot.
Altman wrote the screenplay along with Alan Rudolph.
Running time 123 minutes.
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