Where the Buffalo Roam

1980

Where the Buffalo Roam

Critics Consensus

No consensus yet.

17%

TOMATOMETER

Total Count: 24

73%

Audience Score

User Ratings: 19,983
User image

Watch it now

Where the Buffalo Roam Photos

View All Photos (3)

Movie Info

In this satirical film, the infamous journalist Hunter S. Thompson sets off on a crazy trip around the country to cover the main events of the '60s and '70s, including Watergate and the Vietnam War.

Cast

Bill Murray
as Hunter S. Thompson
Peter Boyle
as Lazlo
Bruno Kirby
as Marty Lewis
R.G. Armstrong
as Judge Simpson
Rene Auberjonois
as Harris
Danny Goldman
as Porter
Rafael Campos
as Rojas
Leonard Frey
as Desk Clerk
Leonard Gaines
as Super Fan
DeWayne Jessie
as Man #1
Mark Metcalf
as Dooley
Jon Matthews
as Billy Kramer
Joe Ragno
as Willins
Julie Andelman
Lisa Taylor
as Ruthie
Danny Tucker
as Narcotics Agent
Susan Kellermann
as Waitress
Juli Andelman
as Alice
Janit Baldwin
as Mary
Bruce Barbour
as Secret Service Man #3
Linden Chiles
as Reporter #2
Caesar Cordova
as Rojas' Man
Michael Cornelison
as Young Reporter
Joshua Daniel
as Questioner
Sonny Carl Davis
as Stepanian
Jon Mathews
as Billy Kramer
Reginald H. Farmer
as Chauffer
Lou Felder
as Sportscaster #2
Craig T. Nelson
Doris Hargrave
as Hotel Waitress
Quinn K. Redeker
as Pilot
Jim Healy
as Sportscaster #1
Cork Hubbert
as Briggs
Doreen Jaros
as Campaign Plane Stewardess #2
Sunny Johnson
as Lil/Nurse
Garrie Kelly
as Stewardess
Charles Joseph Konya Jr.
as Co-Pilot
Marguerite Lamar
as Red Cross Nurse
Nancy Parsons
Jerry Maren
as Bell Man
Miles McNamara
as Questioner
John Moio
as Sheriff's Deputy #1
Richard Seff
as Reporter #1
View All

Critic Reviews for Where the Buffalo Roam

All Critics (24) | Top Critics (7) | Fresh (4) | Rotten (20)

  • The movie is about manic energy, but you can feel everyone straining just to get the next shot on the screen.

    Jul 21, 2015 | Full Review…

    Dave Kehr

    Chicago Reader
    Top Critic

  • Where the Buffalo Roam is a shambling stiff, destined to tarnish the reputations of everyone responsible for it.

    Jul 21, 2015 | Full Review…

    Gary Arnold

    Washington Post
    Top Critic

  • [Where the Buffalo Roam] features a number of amusing set-pieces of irreverent lunacy, but lack of serious substance renders film too frivolous and detached from reality.

    Mar 26, 2009 | Full Review…

    Variety Staff

    Variety
    Top Critic

  • Laughs aplenty for people who use drugs as a pose, but most will be left wondering if half a pint of Bass doesn't qualify as a revolutionary action.

    Jan 26, 2006 | Full Review…

    John Gill

    Time Out
    Top Critic

  • Mr. Murray is clever whenever he is audible... But the story rambles desperately, and there are times when the screenplay is barely there. Mr. Thompson's only identifiable quality soon becomes facetiousness, and it wears terribly thin.

    Jan 15, 2005

    Janet Maslin

    New York Times
    Top Critic

  • This is the kind of bad movie that's almost worth seeing. But there are large things wrong with Where the Buffalo Roam.

    Oct 23, 2004 | Rating: 2/4 | Full Review…

    Roger Ebert

    Chicago Sun-Times
    Top Critic
View All Critic Reviews (24)

Audience Reviews for Where the Buffalo Roam

  • Mar 22, 2012
    Where the Buffalo Roam is a comedic drama that seems as lost and befuddled as its main character. Based on the experiences of Hunter S. Thompson, the story follows the meandering exploits of an outlaw "gonzo" journalist. Bill Murray plays the lead, but fails make Thompson sympathetic or interesting. And the storytelling is exceptionally poor; there's no rhyme or reason as to where and when the film jumps to, and no attempt is made to give context and meaning to the character's journey. Where the Buffalo Roam is a chaotic mess of a film that serves no purpose.
    Dann M Super Reviewer
  • Nov 20, 2011
    Ridiculous but still entertaining.
    Graham J Super Reviewer
  • Oct 13, 2011
    This was the Hunter S. Thompson movie before Terry Gilliam decided to do his version. It's more of a series of episodic vignettes based on several of Thompson's stories instead of being an adaptation of just one. It basically covers Thompson's relationship with Chicano lawyer "Carl Lazlo Esq." during Hunter's attempts to cover Super Bowl VI and the '72 Presidential Campaign, as well as some other crazy shenanigans. The film doesn't quite do justice to Hunter, his relatiosnhip with Lazlo, or the source material, but it is faithful to the spirit of gonzo journalism and Thompson's nuttiness. Plus, the performances are not too bad. Their far less histrionic than the ones in Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, but the actos still really get into character, and it's funny as hell watching Bill Murray and Peter Boyle do Thompson and Lazlo, respectively. This is a chaotic mess of a film, but it is rather fascinating to watch. It's not really a complete success as a movie, but it is entertaining. It's kind of a bummer that this is so underappreciated and not given all that much time of day. You gotta be in the right mood for something like this, but it is worth a watch, despite the flaws.
    Chris W Super Reviewer
  • May 27, 2011
    It's about Hunter Thompson and is with Bill Murray, so it have everything to go right. But a screenplay kill a probably good movie that become silly and flat picture.
    Lucas M Super Reviewer
See all Audience reviews

Where the Buffalo Roam Quotes

View All Quotes

News & Features