Wild Bill (1995)

The early career of legendary lawman Wild Bill Hickock is telescoped and culminates in his relocation in Deadwood and a reunion with Calamity Jane.

Director:

Walter Hill

Writers:

Peter Dexter (book), Thomas Babe (play),

Stars:

Jeff Bridges, Ellen Barkin, John Hurt

1 win.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Jeff Bridges	...	James Butler 'Wild Bill' Hickok
Ellen Barkin	...	Calamity Jane
John Hurt	...	Charley Prince
Diane Lane	...	Susannah Moore
Keith Carradine	...	Buffalo Bill Cody
David Arquette	...	Jack McCall
Christina Applegate	...	Lurline Newcomb
Bruce Dern	...	Will Plummer
James Gammon	...	California Joe
Marjoe Gortner	...	Preacher
James Remar	...	Donnie Lonigan
Karen Huie	...	Song Lew
Steve Reevis	...	Sioux Chief
Robert Knott	...	Dave Tutt
Pato Hoffmann	...	Cheyenne Leader

Storyline

Wild Bill Hickok, famed lawman and gunman of the Old West, is haunted by his past and his reputation. He is loved by, but cannot love, Calamity Jane. Dogging his trail is young Jack McCall, who blames Bill for abandoning the boy's mother and destroying her life. McCall has sworn to kill Bill, and Bill's ghosts, his failing eyesight, and his fondness for opium may make McCall's task easier.

---

Plot Keywords:

calamity jane | opium | funeral | split lip | deadwood south dakota | 

---

Taglines:

A legend never dies.

---

Genres:

Action | Biography | Western

---

Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for wild West violence and a sex scene

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English Sioux Cantonese

Release Date:

1 December 1995 (USA)

Also Known As:

Divlji Bil

Filming Locations:

Santa Clarita, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$30,000,000 (estimated)

Gross:

$2,167,808 (USA)

Company Credits

Production Co:

United Artists, Zanuck Company, The

Technical Specs

Runtime:

98 min

Sound Mix:

DTS

Color:

Black and White Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

More than 30 years earlier, the part of Wild Bill Hickok was played by Jeff Bridges' father, Lloyd Bridges, in a 1964 episode of the television series _"The Great Adventure" (1963)_.

---

Goofs

Wild Bill did not meet Calamity Jane at Deadwood but arrived with her and Charlie Utter in the same wagon train in July 1876.

---

Quotes

Charley Price: This town... I really think it's like something out of the Bible.
James Butler 'Wild Bill' Hickok: What part of the Bible?
Charley Price: The part right before God gets angry.

---

Connections

References The Plainsman (1936)

---

Soundtracks

"The Yellow Rose of Texas"

User Reviews

Better than average western, with some very nice touches.

I wasn't expecting much from this one, but Walter Hill's direction credit during the opening title sequence sucked me in - and I was glad it did.

A very capable cast and an interesting cinematic style gave this film a unique flavor, although some of the characters bordered on unbelievable at times.

Loved the interaction between Wild Bill and Calamity Jane on the saloon table, although the conversation seemed too modern for the late 1800s. But overall, the film was a great way to spend a Sunday afternoon, especially when compared with some of the lesser films available at the time.