Even though the credits say [Robert Altman's film Buffalo Bill and the Indians] was only "suggested by" Arthur Kopit's play Indians, there is no better way to understand the film, or the play, than to compare these two visualizations of Americans and their visions of grandeur. Both are crowded, unruly works in which a prevailing visual metaphor—the Wild West Show in all its gaudy glory—is the starting point for getting at the levels of illusion that camouflage the real facts and figures of the American heritage. Altman's and Kopit's unique methods of presenting the Wild West Show and approaches to the truths underlying its splendorous hoopla do indeed make film and play separate but at the same time complementary works. (p. 253)

[The] particular ways in which Altman and Kopit bring to life America's first show business extravaganza reflect not only the medium being used but also...