A cynical Buffalo Bill (Paul Newman) hires Sitting Bull to exploit him and add his credibility to the distorted view of history presented in his Wild West Show.
Like many of Altman's films, "Buffalo Bill and the Indians" is an ensemble piece with an episodic structure. It follows the day to day performances and behind-the-scenes intrigues of Buffalo Bill Cody's famous "Wild West Show", a hugely popular 1880s entertainment spectacular that starred the former Indian fighter, scout and buffalo hunter. Altman uses the setting to criticize Old West motifs, presenting the eponymous western hero as a show-biz creation who can no longer separate his invented image from reality.
At the time of release, the film was not warmly received. And I tend to agree. I am really hit and miss on Altman, and feel many of his films need multiple viewings to really appreciate. "Nashville", for example, took me until the second try to even "get" it. This seems like another film that could grow on me, if I gave it the chance. I love the theme, I love the message he is saying... but it is not terribly entertaining and really more deep than I was ready for with a casual viewing.
Like many of Altman's films, "Buffalo Bill and the Indians" is an ensemble piece with an episodic structure. It follows the day to day performances and behind-the-scenes intrigues of Buffalo Bill Cody's famous "Wild West Show", a hugely popular 1880s entertainment spectacular that starred the former Indian fighter, scout and buffalo hunter. Altman uses the setting to criticize Old West motifs, presenting the eponymous western hero as a show-biz creation who can no longer separate his invented image from reality.
At the time of release, the film was not warmly received. And I tend to agree. I am really hit and miss on Altman, and feel many of his films need multiple viewings to really appreciate. "Nashville", for example, took me until the second try to even "get" it. This seems like another film that could grow on me, if I gave it the chance. I love the theme, I love the message he is saying... but it is not terribly entertaining and really more deep than I was ready for with a casual viewing.