Buffalo Bill and the Indians, or Sitting Bull's History Lesson (1976)

Cast: Paul Newman, Joel Grey, Kevin McCarthy, Harvey Keitel, Allan F. Nicholls, Geraldine Chaplin, John Considine, Robert DoQui, Mike E. Kaplan, Bert Remsen

Director: Robert Altman

Writer: Robert Altman & Alan Rudolph

Running Time: 123 min.

Genre: Western, Comedy

Rating: PG

Synopsis: Truth is whatever gets the loudest applause. Debunking western myths even more than he did in McCabe and Mrs. Miller (1971), Robert Altman's Buffalo Bill and the Indians, or Sitting Bull's History Lesson (1976) sardonically explores the gap between western history and legend in show biz-obsessed America. Megalomaniac Buffalo Bill Cody (Paul Newman) assumes the legend created for him by writer Ned Buntline (Burt Lancaster), aided and abetted by his producer (Joel Grey) and his publicist (Kevin McCarthy), perpetuating myths of white triumph over savage Injuns in his Wild West show, as audiences cheer him on and buy his merchandise. But when Sitting Bull (Frank Kaquitts) joins the troupe with his interpreter (Will Sampson), his request for authenticity threatens to throw a wrench into the proceedings. Regardless of how Bill may feel about the facts, he must bow to the preferences of the paying public.~ Lucia Bozzola, All Movie Guide