Rating: 
Summary: Great performance wasted
Review: James Butler "Wild Bill" Hickok was shot dead from behind in a Deadwood, South Dakota saloon holding what is now known as the "Deadman's Hand" of aces and eights. This 1995 film from director Walter Hill ("The Long Riders") is not so much about the infamous death or even the storied life of "Wild Bill" (Jeff Bridges) but more the man's death wish. The film is an exploration of the legend and not the recreation of history; Jack McCall (David Arquette, in a very controlled performance of his usual edgy little creep), the dirty low-down snake who plugged Wild Bill from behind, does so in this film version because the famous gun-fighter lawman broke the hat of Jack's mother (Diane Lane). In "fact" Jack told the miner's jury in Deadwood that found him not guilty that his brother had been gunned down by Hickok who had promised to shoot McCall if he saw him. It was only after McCall kept bragging about killing Hickok once too often that Federal lawmen arrested him; before he was hung McCall claimed he had been hired by others to do the deed.The screenplay by Hill is based on the book "Deadwood" by Pete Dexter and the play "Fathers and Sons" by Thomas Babe. In the film's climax McCall and a gang of thugs have gotten the drop on Wild Bill. Inexplicably, the thugs wait for McCall to decide whether or not he has the guts to shot Hickock. At one point Wild Bill offers to shoot himself, just to stop the stupid arguments. Charlie Prince (John Hurt), Wild Bill's educated English friend (and the narrator of the film) says: "Let him do it. He's been trying to kill himself his entire life." This line sounds like it unlocks the entire meaning of the film, but that is only if you take it at face value. "Wild Bill" shows a man playing by the rules of the game, and if he is incapable of loving any woman beyond the moment he is with her, even Calamity Jane (Ellen Barkin), it is not like the West is the land of romance. The collision of Hickok and McCall is the backbone of the film, which reduces the other events in Wild Bill's life to two sets of flashbacks. In color we get the gunfights on which the Hickok legend was born, such as shooting wheelchair bound Will Plummer (Bruce Dern) while tied to a saloon chair, as well as the failed attempt to perform on stage in New York City with Buffalo Bill Cody (Keith Carradine). But there are also high contrast black & white sequences that are supposed to indicate significant moments in his life of a spiritual or personal nature. These might make him aware of his mortality and his character flaws, but these do not translate into a death wish. Wild Bill Hickok sat down in a chair with his back to the front door of the saloon because it was the only open spot in the poker game (the gambler in the seat he wanted refused to give it up). That ironic element in the most famous death in the history of the Old West is jettisoned in this film, replaced instead with the rather paradoxical idea that his downfall was due to an uncharacteristic act of sentimentality on his part. In the end, "Wild Bill" comes down to a series of dazzingly brutal gunfights through which Bridges snarls his way. These are scenes that emphasize the choreography of the violence for effect rather than spraying a lot of blood all over the place. In the end, all you have to do is count the number of bullets that come out of his six-shooters to remind yourself this film is Hollywood invention. The final irony is that "Wild Bill" is undone by the very death scene that made Hickok immortal.
Rating: 
Summary: Once again, Hollywood forgoes the truth and films the legend
Review: James Butler "Wild Bill" Hickok was shot dead from behind in a Deadwood, South Dakota saloon holding what is now known as the "Deadman's Hand" of aces and eights. This 1995 film from director Walter Hill ("The Long Riders") is not so much about the infamous death or even the storied life of "Wild Bill" (Jeff Bridges) but more the man's death wish. The film is an exploration of the legend and not the recreation of history; Jack McCall (David Arquette, in a very controlled performance of his usual edgy little creep), the dirty low-down snake who plugged Wild Bill from behind, does so in this film version because the famous gun-fighter lawman broke the hat of Jack's mother (Diane Lane). In "fact" Jack told the miner's jury in Deadwood that found him not guilty that his brother had been gunned down by Hickok who had promised to shoot McCall if he saw him. It was only after McCall kept bragging about killing Hickok once too often that Federal lawmen arrested him; before he was hung McCall claimed he had been hired by others to do the deed. The screenplay by Hill is based on the book "Deadwood" by Pete Dexter and the play "Fathers and Sons" by Thomas Babe. In the film's climax McCall and a gang of thugs have gotten the drop on Wild Bill. Inexplicably, the thugs wait for McCall to decide whether or not he has the guts to shot Hickock. At one point Wild Bill offers to shoot himself, just to stop the stupid arguments. Charlie Prince (John Hurt), Wild Bill's educated English friend (and the narrator of the film) says: "Let him do it. He's been trying to kill himself his entire life." This line sounds like it unlocks the entire meaning of the film, but that is only if you take it at face value. "Wild Bill" shows a man playing by the rules of the game, and if he is incapable of loving any woman beyond the moment he is with her, even Calamity Jane (Ellen Barkin), it is not like the West is the land of romance. The collision of Hickok and McCall is the backbone of the film, which reduces the other events in Wild Bill's life to two sets of flashbacks. In color we get the gunfights on which the Hickok legend was born, such as shooting wheelchair bound Will Plummer (Bruce Dern) while tied to a saloon chair, as well as the failed attempt to perform on stage in New York City with Buffalo Bill Cody (Keith Carradine). But there are also high contrast black & white sequences that are supposed to indicate significant moments in his life of a spiritual or personal nature. These might make him aware of his mortality and his character flaws, but these do not translate into a death wish. Wild Bill Hickok sat down in a chair with his back to the front door of the saloon because it was the only open spot in the poker game (the gambler in the seat he wanted refused to give it up). That ironic element in the most famous death in the history of the Old West is jettisoned in this film, replaced instead with the rather paradoxical idea that his downfall was due to an uncharacteristic act of sentimentality on his part. In the end, "Wild Bill" comes down to a series of dazzingly brutal gunfights through which Bridges snarls his way. These are scenes that emphasize the choreography of the violence for effect rather than spraying a lot of blood all over the place. In the end, all you have to do is count the number of bullets that come out of his six-shooters to remind yourself this film is Hollywood invention. The final irony is that "Wild Bill" is undone by the very death scene that made Hickok immortal.
Rating: 
Summary: Elegiac Western tells the myth with style
Review: Jeff Bridges is magnificent as the eponymous "Wild Bill", he takes the overblown legend of Bill and breathes life into the man as myth and as character, the dream like direction of Hill fits the subject spot on. If you have studied the "facts" of Bills' life, some things may jar (such as the "romance" with Calamity Jane, they hardly knew each other in reality, only meeting shortly before Bills' assassination). The film re-creates the Myth of The Wild West to perfection, dust and mud, gun play and dying, hard living and easy death seem to be the order of the day....Jeff Bridges is one of those "still" actors who are perfect for these sort of parts, getting deep under the skin of his characters. I enjoyed this film. It stayed with me for a long time, prompting me to buy a "biography" of Wild Bill to learn more. The mark of a good movie in my mind is that it lingers in your thoughts. The only niggle I had is that Ellen Barkin as Calamity Jane was just a bit too scrubbed up, she looked a bit too fragrant! Jeff Bridges though owned this character from beginning to end, a bravura performance, he never once makes a false step. Walter Hill's direction and the script do not glamorise the gun play, it is shown for what it was, sordid and cruel, an insight into the Amerika of today and why it has developed into what it is.
Rating:
Summary: Walking With Wild Bill Hickock
Review: This fine portrayal of Bill Hickock's Times is a must for any adult whom enjoys a bit of fact mixed with fiction. Jeff Bridges does an Academy Award representation of the man feared by most during the 1870's.( That is, I would have given him the award.) His talk and demeanor bring you to the core of an uneducated man whom learned survival the hard way. Ellen Arkin also shines as Calamity Jane with her strong character and fears for Bill. The movies town set and other characters place you in the rough and tumble days at the end of the old West, when civilization was just beginning to open up the wild frontier. If you enjoy the sight of a crack shot with blazing guns and the acting of Jeff Bridges, you need to see this " hidden jewel ".
Rating:
Summary: Underrated Gem
Review: This is a great western. Check it out!
Rating:
Summary: wild bill
Review: THis is the one of the best movies Ive ever seen. Maybe Im exagerating but I dont think so. I think it goes a lot deeper than it seems. It shows the psychology of Wild Bill struggling with something, but you have to think for yourself what his problem is. And of course its only a movie. I dont know what Wild BIll wasBut Wild BIll could be anybody who has the guts to live. Music is great too, ending is great too. yes he dies. especially during the trailing credits.
Rating:
Summary: Wild Bill - Do it again
Review: This movie was fantastic. I belong to SASS and would like to know if they offer a soundtrack for this movie. Does anyone know? The music really added a lot to the action in the movie.
If anyone can help, please let me know. Creek
Rating:
Summary: Wild Bill - Do it again
Review: This movie was fantastic. I belong to SASS and would like to know if they offer a soundtrack for this movie. Does anyone know? The music really added a lot to the action in the movie.
If anyone can help, please let me know. Creek
Rating: 
Summary: Accurate? Don't know, but Bridges is great.
Review: Unlike the other reviewers, I can't vouch for the historical accuracy of this film. What I can say, however, is that I thoroughly enjoyed Bridges' portrayal of the rough and tumble Wild Bill. I lost the sense that I was watching an actor at work behind the moustache, twin pistols and gruff mannerisms that Bridges brings to the character. I found the central conflict of a very tough and manly man coming to terms with his own legacy poignant and interesting. I recommend giving it a look-see, and I plan on buying it when it comes out on DVD.
Rating:
Summary: they filmed the legend and not the facts...and I enjoyed it!
Review: Yup they took tons of legends and myths about Wild Bill and shoe-horned em all into this flick featuring wonderful performances by the entire cast. Bridges performance as Wild Bill doesnt completely white-wash the character and so you may or may not like that. I enjoyed it and as a student of the life and legend of James Butler Hickok I had a good time spotting the myths and legends used to make this film. It sure seems to me that director Hill had to make a lot of cuts to decrease the running time of this film and I bet the director's cut would be much better. Still this is what it is and it's not bad and in fact it's damn fun. Just remember that this isn't a documentary. Fans of the legends and myhts of Wild Bill may enjoy it more than others. I did.
| 
