“Wild Bill” is a western movie about the last days of legendary lawman Wild Bill Hickok (1837-1876). Director-screenwriter Walter Hill (“Alien 3” 1992) created a film with a flurries of activity throughout the 98 minute running time and scenery to match what we imagine about the Old West. However, it displays an obviously muddled storyline and uneven pacing with noticeable boring segments of the picture.
The performances were quite good, with stars Jeff Bridges as Hickok, Ellen Barkin as Calamity Jane, Keith Carradine as Buffalo Bill Cody, as well as John Hurt, Diane Lane, David Arquette, Christina Applegate, Bruce Dern, James Gammon, James Remar, Steve Reevis, Pato Hoffman, Dennis Hayden, and Marjoe Gortner as a preacher. This was Gortner’s final motion picture appearance.
Despite obvious flaws, “Wild Bill” nevertheless qualifies as a watchable film which was a huge flop at the box office for producers Richard D. Zanuck and Lili Fini Zanuck, United Artists, and MGM/UA Distribution Company. Honorable mention goes to the wonderful cinematography by Lloyd Ahern II, with filming at the Gene Autry Melody Ranch in Santa Clarita, as well as at Universal Studios and Warner Bros. Studios.
Wild Bill (1995)
cinema
My Review
“Wild Bill” is a western movie about the last days of legendary lawman Wild Bill Hickok (1837-1876). Director-screenwriter Walter Hill (“Alien 3” 1992) created a film with a flurries of activity throughout the 98 minute running time and scenery to match what we imagine about the Old West. However, it displays an obviously muddled storyline and uneven pacing with noticeable boring segments of the picture.
The performances were quite good, with stars Jeff Bridges as Hickok, Ellen Barkin as Calamity Jane, Keith Carradine as Buffalo Bill Cody, as well as John Hurt, Diane Lane, David Arquette, Christina Applegate, Bruce Dern, James Gammon, James Remar, Steve Reevis, Pato Hoffman, Dennis Hayden, and Marjoe Gortner as a preacher. This was Gortner’s final motion picture appearance.
Despite obvious flaws, “Wild Bill” nevertheless qualifies as a watchable film which was a huge flop at the box office for producers Richard D. Zanuck and Lili Fini Zanuck, United Artists, and MGM/UA Distribution Company. Honorable mention goes to the wonderful cinematography by Lloyd Ahern II, with filming at the Gene Autry Melody Ranch in Santa Clarita, as well as at Universal Studios and Warner Bros. Studios.