
Where the Buffalo Roam
1980, Comedy, 1h 36m
24 Reviews 10,000+ RatingsWhat to know
critics consensus
Bill Murray delivers a noteworthy portrayal of Hunter S. Thompson, but Where the Buffalo Roam strains to get through its rambling narrative. Read critic reviews
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Where to watch
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Movie Info
Cast & Crew
Hunter S. Thompson
Lazlo
Harris
Marty Lewis
Judge Simpson
Porter
Critic Reviews for Where the Buffalo Roam
All Critics (24) | Top Critics (7) | Fresh (4) | Rotten (20)
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The movie is about manic energy, but you can feel everyone straining just to get the next shot on the screen.
July 21, 2015 | Full Review… -
Where the Buffalo Roam is a shambling stiff, destined to tarnish the reputations of everyone responsible for it.
July 21, 2015 | Full Review… -
[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.
March 26, 2009 | Full Review… -
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.
January 26, 2006 | Full Review… -
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.
January 15, 2005 | Full Review… -
This is the kind of bad movie that's almost worth seeing. But there are large things wrong with Where the Buffalo Roam.
October 23, 2004 | Rating: 2/4 | Full Review…
Audience Reviews for Where the Buffalo Roam
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Mar 22, 2012Where 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
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Nov 20, 2011Ridiculous but still entertaining.Graham J Super Reviewer
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Oct 13, 2011This 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
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May 27, 2011It'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
Where the Buffalo Roam Quotes
Dr. Hunter S. Thompson: | What is this country doing for the doomed? |
Carl Lazlo Esq.: | You don't write any postcards when you're on the road to self-discovery. |
Dr. Hunter S. Thompson: | Boy, it was hard finding people to eat acid with as the age of Nixon wore on. |
Dr. Hunter S. Thompson: | I think it could be the best thing I've ever done. All I have yo do is write it up. |
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