DVD Review | Buffalo Bill and the Indians, or Sitting Bull's History Lesson (1976)
Written by: J.P.

Robert Altman has made many movies using his formula of connecting a lot of short stories connected with a general theme.  "Nashville" in 1975 and "M*A*S*H" in 1970 are his most notable.  Even his fans would agree that "Buffalo Bill and the Indians" is his least entertaining effort.

The story is set in "Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show."  They arrange to have Sitting Bull as an attraction.  Throughout the movie, Sitting Bull and his interpreter continue to confound Buffalo Bill (and his staff).  It is the same gag
told in different ways.

There is no music except for the brass band of the Wild West Show. It seems the trumpets are off on every tune.  While this may add to the mood, it is distracting.  Another effort at realism is to have several conversations happening at once.  This makes part of the film difficult to follow.

The cast is stellar. Among them are Paul Neuman as Buffalo Bill, Joel Grey, Kevin McCarthy, Burt Lancaster, Harvey Keitel, and Geraldine Chaplin as Annie Oakley.  These giants of the industry have to deal with short stories and brief dialogue.

Each short story is predictable.  Sitting Bull has a problem. He wants to do things his own way.  The Showmen (and Buffalo Bill) want to change it or compromise.  Sitting Bull does it his way.

In 1976 this film won Altman an award at the Berlin International Film Festival.

If there is genius in this film, it is not obvious.

Film Rating: D
DVD Special Features: D