The early career of legendary lawman Wild Bill Hickock is telescoped and culminates in his relocation in Deadwood and a reunion with Calamity Jane.
Ambitious, but in the end failed attempt to demystify a Wild West legend is well produced, but lacks coherence and a stringent plot; Jeff Bridges is good in the title role, but most of the star cast is condemned to playing sallow bit parts.
Halliwell*: "A complex, fragmentary look at the life of Wild Bill Hickock that strips away the heroics to present a confused and unhappy killer; spasmodically interesting, if rather too glum."
Maltin**: "Odd revisionist take on Wild Bill Hickock, told in episodic form that creates distance from - rather than understanding of - the legendary hell-raiser of the Old West...Barkin is fun as Calamity Jane, but other characters are superficially drawn at best."
