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Wild Bill
1995
Director Walter Hill's WILD BILL is a film biography of legendary outlaw James Butler "Wild Bill" Hickok (Jeff Bridges). The story covers the major events that shaped the gunman's life, including his work as a Kansas lawman, his stint in Buffalo Bill Cody's Wild West Show, and his part-time relationship with a whip-wielding .. Read more
| Starring | Jeff Bridges, Ellen Barkin, John Hurt, Diane Lane |
|---|---|
| Director | Walter Hill |
| Genres | Action/Adventure |
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Wild Bill
Director Walter Hill's WILD BILL is a film biography of legendary outlaw James Butler "Wild Bill" Hickok (Jeff Bridges). The story covers the major events that shaped the gunman's life, including his work as a Kansas lawman, his stint in Buffalo Bill Cody's Wild West Show, and his part-time relationship with a whip-wielding Calamity Jane (Ellen Barkin). In addition, the film shows how Hickok gained his deadly reputation, as well as his repeated confrontations with a vengeful young killer named Jack McCall (David Arquette), whose mother was wronged by Hickok years back--and who may or may not be Hickok's own son. WILD BILL, which unusually focuses less on the legend and more on the real man, features Keith Carradine as Buffalo Bill.
| Starring | Jeff Bridges, Ellen Barkin, John Hurt, Diane Lane, Keith Carradine, Christina Applegate, Bruce Dern, James Gammon, David Arquette, Marjoe Gortner |
|---|---|
| Director | Walter Hill |
| Studio | MGM ENTERTAINMENT |
| Run time | DVD: 1 hr 34 mins |
| Certificate | |
| Genres | Action/Adventure |
| Language | DVD: English |
| Released | DVD: 01 Mar 2004 Production year: 1995 |
| Format | DVD |
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Critics' reviews (3)
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A flop in the States and unreleased in British cinemas, Walter Hill's Wild Bill, like his earlier Geronimo, is a flawed but fascinating look at an American legend. Starring a superbly cast Jeff Bridges as William “Wild Bill” Hickok, the movie opens with the killing of a dozen or so men over the course of a decade, then focuses on the ageing gunslinger's quest for old flame Calamity Jane (Ellen Barkin) while setting up a confrontation with a vengeful youngster who may be Hickok's bastard son. Hill paints a far from pretty picture of the West in general and Hickok in particular: he's a drug addict, a killer and a monster haunted by his past. American audiences found the film easy to resist, but it oozes period atmosphere and stands with Kevin Costner's revisionist Wyatt Earp as an epic of disillusionment.
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A complex, fragmentary look at the life of Wild Bill Hickok that strips away the heroics to present a confused and unhappy killer; spasmodically interesting, if rather too glum.
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Most helpful member's review
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6 out of 6 people found this review helpful
Not Wild about Bill!
After reading a glowing review of this movie in Uncut magazine, I felt let down after viewing it.
Despite good casting (Jeff Bridges especially), the main failing of the film was its lack of cohesion between scenes, with much of the movie being played out in flashbacks. A reason for this could be the fact that the screenplay is an amalgamation of a novel and a play.
In short, a hit & miss affair! -
Most recent members' review
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4 out of 4 people found this review helpful
An unusual western
Jeff Bridges look authentic and less 'pretty boy' is a somewhat entertaing, but at times, fractured tale of a western legend. Killing more baddies than Clint Eastwood in the 'no name' films it's hard to place Hickok as good or bad. Worthwhile viewing.
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