Wild Bill (1995)

My Review

“Wild Bill” is a western movie about the last day of legendary lawman Wild Bill Hickok (1837-1876). Director-screenwriter Arthur Hill (“Alien 3” 1992) created a film with on-again, off-again flurries of activity throughout the 98 minute running time. There was also beautiful scenery to match what we imagine about the Old West, with excellent cinematography by Lloyd Ahern II. However, the film has a muddled storyline and uneven pacing with noticeable boring segments of the film.

The performances were all solid including Jeff Bridges as Hickok, Ellen Barkin as Calamity Jane, Keith Carradine as Buffalo Bill Cody, John Hurt, Diane Lane, David Arquette, Christine Applegate, Bruce Dern, James Gammon, James Remar, Steve Reevis, Pato Hoffman, Dennis Hayden, and Marjoe Gortner as a preacher. This was Gortner’s final movie 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. It was filmed at the Gene Autry Melody Ranch in Santa Clarita, as well as Universal Studios and Warner Bros. Studios.