Where the Buffalo Roam

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Where the Buffalo Roam

R

Released Apr 25, 1980

1h 36m

Comedy

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

19%

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26 Reviews

73%

Popcornmeter

10,000+ Ratings

In 1968, drug-addled journalist Hunter S. Thompson (Bill Murray) covers the drug possession trial of a group of young people defended by Thompson's old friend Carl Lazlo (Peter Boyle). After Lazlo loses the case, the idealistic lawyer and the cynical writer go their separate ways, but meet again five years later while Thompson is covering the Super Bowl. Now a revolutionary who has abandoned the legal system, Lazlo attempts to get Thompson to join his cause.

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Critics Consensus

Bill Murray delivers a noteworthy portrayal of Hunter S. Thompson, but Where the Buffalo Roam strains to get through its rambling narrative.

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Dave Kehr

Chicago Reader

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

Jul 21, 2015

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Gary Arnold

Washington Post

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

Jul 21, 2015

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Variety Staff

Variety

[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

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Eddie Harrison

film-authority.com

as a showcase for Murray, and as an advert for drugs, its persuasive stuff.

Rated: 3/5

Feb 16, 2022

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Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

Hunter S. Thompson earned an "executive consultant" credit on the picture, but, like others involved with the troubled production, he was ultimately disgusted and disappointed with the end result.

Rated: 1.5/4

Nov 16, 2021

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Austin Trunick

Under the Radar

While [Bill] Murray is more than likable in his role, he isn't able to capture the larger-than-life figure he set out to inhabit.

Oct 18, 2017

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Wayne K

I’m a huge fan of Terry’s Gilliam’s Fear & Loathing In Las Vegas, as well as the seminal book its based on. Hunter S. Thompson is one of the most legendary writers of all time, as well as one of its most mercurial and enigmatic. Thompson himself serves as an executive producer on this film, but his involvement is questionable, even by his own account, and he had massive problems with it. It’s much more episodic than Fear & Loathing, which had a single overarching story and many zany adventures along the way. Here it’s like they based the film off 4-5 of Thompson’s articles, jumping from one to the next when the material ran out. That’s not to say the film isn’t good, because it is. Murray commits fully to the Thomson persona, growing increasingly more Thompsonesque as events progress. Admittedly, Depp’s Thompson felt far more lived in and physically real, but it’s still got all the man’s classic quirks and idiosyncrasies. Peter Boyle, with his glorious moustache and mad scientist hairdo makes a great foil, and watching them spark off each other is where most of the best comedy lies. The rest can be found in Hunter absolutely confounding everyone he meets with his wild behaviour and bizarre witticisms. It might be less of a complete package than Fear and Loathing, but it’s still exactly the type of wild ride you’d expect from the late, great Dr. Gonzo himself, Hunter S. Thompson.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

01/22/25

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The H

look at me, I am too crazy

Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars

02/29/24

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Nicolas M

I went to see the pre-screening in San Francisco with Hunter's brother Jim. The director was also there. It was so dreadful that a thoroughly negative vibe was pervasive when it ended. Audience members were asked to fill out questionnaires about the film, which I imagine were a bracing splash in the face of the studio execs.

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

03/29/25

Full Review

Ari V

Perhaps I should have given it more of a chance, but couldn't wait get through it. Seemed like a bare, inartful version of Fear And Loathing. A dry run.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

11/17/23

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Diane J P

Hard to keep my attention through the whole thing, very iritic story

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

10/08/23

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Audience Member

A Hunter S Thompson classic.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/27/23

Full Review

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Art Linson

Director

Bill Murray

Hunter S. Thompson

Peter Boyle

Lazlo

Rene Auberjonois

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R. G. Armstrong

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Synopsis

In 1968, drug-addled journalist Hunter S. Thompson (Bill Murray) covers the drug possession trial of a group of young people defended by Thompson's old friend Carl Lazlo (Peter Boyle). After Lazlo loses the case, the idealistic lawyer and the cynical writer go their separate ways, but meet again five years later while Thompson is covering the Super Bowl. Now a revolutionary who has abandoned the legal system, Lazlo attempts to get Thompson to join his cause.

Director: Art Linson
Producer: Art Linson
Distributor: Universal Pictures
Production Co: Universal/Universal Int
Rating: R
Genre: Comedy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Apr 25, 1980, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Mar 22, 2016
Runtime: 1h 36m

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