Wild Bill [DVD]

I first viewed "Wild Bill" because it sounded like a great western, and at the time I was watching DVDs non-stop to help distract my attention from the extreme pain I was experiencing prior to surgery. I must have been more medicated than I remember, as I just watched the movie again, after purchasing it based on the fact that I "remembered" it as being a really terrific and enjoyable western, and I was appalled at the production errors and "historical bunk" in the film. Yet, while I did not enjoy it as much as I "remember" enjoying "Wild Bill," I still think that the film is terrific thanks to some truly memorable performances and crisp direction.When I compare it to other films out there, and keep a "healthy thought" that "Wild Bill" is a movie about the "Legend" and not the "real, historical person," I find myself wanting to give the film five stars. Beyond a doubt, the film is one of Jeff Bridges finest performances; and the drama and action are awesome.Then I remember counting the number of times Wild Bill fired his two pistols (which were pron to misfires) in the shoot out in the livery and I cringe. I cannot be certain, since the film does not actually always show Wild Bill's shots (you frequently just hear them, and see their effects), but I got a count of 29 rounds--more than double what he could have realistically fired. Nonetheless, the scene is pure excitement and deepens the "Legend" of Wild Bill. Conversely, I think the director did a marvelous job of editing in the great use of black and white "dreams" that help "recall" Wild Bill's "legendary life."On the other hand, Charlie Utter, Hickok's friend and life-long companion is denigrated--or so I see it--into John Hurt's completely fictional character Charley Prince, an English gentleman who self proclaims himself, through Prince's narration of "Wild Bill," to be a fellow "drunk and gambler," who has become a "friend" (and traveling companion) to Wild Bill. While the funeral scene is better than many, it still failed to capture the true impact of Wild Bill's death on the community of Deadwood; and Charlie Utter's efforts to give the funeral dignity. Despite the fact that Wild Bill had been in Deadwood only a few days, according to historical accounts nearly every person in the camp--as well as many from elsewhere--attended the funeral; for even on August 3, 1876, it seems that "everyone" knew that a "true legend had come to an end."Update--1 July 2008: If this review was not helpful to you, I would appreciate learning the reason(s) so I can improve my reviews. My goal is to provide help to potential buyers, not get into any arguments. So, if you only disagree with my opinion, could you please say so in the comments and not indicate that the review was not helpful. Thanks.

Wild Bill Hickok, as every grade-school child knows, was a lawman and a gunfighter in the American West. But what few people of any age know is just how real, how intemperate, how flawed, and yet how loving a character Wild Bill really was. All that and more come out in this extraordinarily staged, written, and produced film, WILD BILL, one of the best modern-day American western films ever made. Jeff Bridges plays the role of Bill, while Ellen Barkin as a young Calamity Jane lends an air of believability to her own part.They're all here--all the characters who crossed paths with Bill. Calamity, Charley Prince, Buffalo Bill Cody, Will Plummer, California Joe, Dave Tutt, Phil Coe, Dave McCanles, and more. All straight from the pages of history. Of course some minor liberties may have been taken in translating history into film, but it's all in the name of art, and it all seems to be readily justifiable.If Bill had a weakness, it wasn't women and it wasn't liquor and it wasn't, surprisingly enough, cards. It was his own insistence that others treat him with the same respect and dignity that he offered them. Some of the characters with whom he crossed paths never did come to embrace that realization, and their stay on earth ended far too ignominiously, if predictably.Still, one of the deadliest characters to darken Bill's doorstep proved even more dangerous--and far more formidable--even than John Wesley Hardin, with whom Bill had a brief falling out. It was the glaucoma with which his eyes were stricken. The shooting pain he endured forced him to turn to liquor for solace--and then to less palatable, more debilitating substances, such as opium. Throughout it all, Calamity stood by him, loving him in her own peculiar way perhaps more than even she realized at the time.The story of Wild Bill is one that many people know; the story of the man behind the moniker is unique. Bridges, Barker, Bruce Dern, and the other accomplished actors in this Walter Hill-directed tale of love and life are worth watching over and over again. Highly recommended.

Husband watched after Christmas, enjoyed. Received timely & in good condition.

I love good western movies. I'm particularly biased toward westerns that feel real and at least 'mostly' historically correct. I do appreciate a little poetic license in the way a director, writer, or actor presents but not so much the realism is lost. Wild Bill is actually a pretty good movie. The first half is very well done but the movie lapses into a fictionalized, possibly, theoretically, maybe is could have been run that forced loss of one star. Jeff Bridges does an excellant job portraying Wild Bill Hickock. Ellen Barkin is adequate as Calamity Jane, but a little too 'sweet' to really carry the part off to be beleivable. The movie unfortunately used black and white for flashbacks throughout the movie. I'm really no fan of flashbacks when they're over used as is this case. I guess the director wanted to make sure we the audience would 'get it? it's a flashback'. Loss of one more star. For me, some good western movies are: Tombstone, Deadwood(series) as well as Wyatt Earp(Kevin Kostner), several Louis L'amour written stories that are now available on DVD. I also enjoy watching westerns that are just fun to watch without trying to be a history lesson like The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly or Hang Em High, Tom Horn, Nevada Smith (Steve McQueen) to name a few. If you approach Wild Bill just to enjoy a good movie and you don't know or care about the real history of Wild Bill Hickock, you'll certainly not be wasting your time watching.

Un agréable Western sur les dernier temps de Wild Bill.On regrette de ne pas en voir plus sur sa vie avant. Quant-à l’authenticité des faits relatés,ils ne sont pas toujours conforme à la réalité historique (contrairement à ce qui est écrit sur la pochette) ! Mais,à découvrir qu'en même...

Très bonne évocation de l'ouest et de Wild bill hikock. Jeff bridges est parfait. Costumes au top, on le retrouve tel que sur les photos d'époque. Retours en arrière en noir et blanc travaillé. Manque un peu de vie. On sent que les auteurs font ce qu'ils peuvent pour arriver au dénouement, et il n'y a pas de perspectives d'avenir. Helen Barquin manque d'épaisseur pour Calamity Jane. Mais bien filmé, travail sans repproche, on passe un bon moment, si on aime cette époque.

Je m'attendais à un film plus réaliste sur la vie de Wild Bill HICKOK. Énormément déçu......Je ne le recommande pas

Excellent Movie. Very moving.

Great buy