
WilliamWellmanskillfullydirectsthelifestoryofWilliamF.Cody,who'sbetterknownasBuffaloBill.BasedonastorybyFrankWinch,thereisplentyofactionasthestagesofhislifeunfold.ThejourneybeginswithhisearlyyearsasanIndianfighter,jumpstohisdaysasascoutandcampaignerforIndianrights,andculminatesinadisplayofhislateryearsofWildWestshowmanship.Thefull-onconflictbetweentheU.S.CavalryandtheCheyennetribeatWarBonnetGorge,inwhichCodyfindshimselfgoingheadtoheadwithhisformerIndianfriend,isoneofthemostrivetingsequencesinthefilm.JoelMcCreaiscompletelyconvincinginthetitlerole,andMaureenO'Haraisbothearnestandsensualasthesenator'sdaughterwhobecomeshiswife.Thefilmisescapistinthebestsense,revealinganumberofcolorfulexteriorpanoramas.Therestofthesolidcast,whichincludesLindaDarnellasaschoolteacherwholovesCody,keepsthislightfareworthwhile.







