The film is set during the late 19th century in a small town in Ohio. It begins with a crowd excited about Colonel Buffalo Bill, as expressed in the opening musical number. There is also going to be a Wild West show.

A guy called Foster Wilson is posting news announcements about it, even at a hotel where the owner doesn’t want it. He also comes across a beautiful woman named Dolly Tate. Then a bullet shoots the fake bird off her hat. A dressed down lady named Annie Oakley reveals herself. She was the one who just fired the gun.

Annie also has a few kid siblings with her, who are completely illiterate and unconcerned about their health. She is pretty much like them, as stated in the song, “Doin’ What Comes Naturally.”

Then she runs into this man, Frank Butler. She falls in love with him. But he prefers a different kind of girl, as revealed in the number, “The Girl That I Marry.” Annie is a little bit heartbroken.

But Foster Wilson enters her into a shooting contest at the Wild West show. Annie also meets Buffalo Bill. She then competes with Frank in the shooting contest and wins.

Later she is on a train with her little brother. When everyone is having dinner, she teaches him, as well as herself, how to read.

Annie’s shooting talent attracts a lot of people. However, when Frank sees her skills, he is jealous and begins to dislike her.

Yet her extraordinary abilities reward her with traveling overseas and shooting at contests and shows there. She goes all over Europe.

At some point, not only are Buffalo Bill and Foster Wilson congratulating Annie, but a Native American chief wants to adopt her (she is an orphan). His name is Sitting Bull.

Not long after, Annie is taken to his tribe. She goes through a ritual and is then officially Sitting Bull’s adopted daughter.

Then she receives a letter from Frank, revealing his true opinions on her. She breaks down into tears.

Some time later, Annie, Buffalo Bill, and Foster Wilson are on a boat with cows. Annie thinks that she sees Frank and rehearses what she’ll say to him. But it turns out to be another guy. He shares details about what Frank prefers, such as his ideal date.

That evening, there is a party happening. Annie is wearing all her shooting awards on her dress. But she is also wearing a thick shawl over it. She sees Frank, who now seems to love her back. However, her shawl comes off, and Frank sees her awards. This causes the two to feud.

What will happen next?

Like with many musicals, this one kept my attention all the way through. It was fast-paced with scenes switching at the right times.

The characters were likable, too. Annie was talented and strong, which I admired. During the mid-20th century, women still didn’t have all the same rights as men. It was still common for stories to depict them as damsels-in-distress.

Which brings me to my next point – some parts of this movie aged poorly. The biggest one is the portrayal of Indigenous people. Aside from white people calling them Indians, they would make strange sounds and movements and constantly face segregation. Sitting Bull would speak like he was uneducated.

Even if some of those details are historically accurate, they could be offensive to modern-day audiences. It’s possible that if this movie was remade today, the depiction of the Native Americans would have to be heavily edited.

Regardless of that part, though, the film remained good. Buffalo Bill and Foster Wilson were nice to Annie. Frank was more of a gray character, but more toward the good side.

The songs were enjoyable, as well. I especially loved “Anything You Can Do.” It was fun hearing Annie and Frank try to brag about their talents to each other.

There were also some twists in turns. See the film to find out what they are.

Overall, I enjoyed Annie Get Your Gun. It was a fun movie that both adults and older kids can enjoy.

I really wouldn’t recommend it to younger children due to the portrayals of Indigenous people and the gun use – even though no humans get shot.

Anyway, I give this movie 4 out of 5 stars.