The White Buffalo
The White Buffalo

The White Buffalo

1977Movie97 minEnglish

In this strange western version of Moby Dick, Wild Bill Hickok hunts a white buffalo he has seen in a dream. Hickok moves through a variety of uniquely authentic western locations - dim, filthy, makeshift taverns; freezing, slaughterhouse-like frontier towns and beautifully desolate high country - before improbably teaming up with a young Crazy Horse to pursue the creature.

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Insights

IMDb5.2/10
Director: J. Lee ThompsonGenres: Western, Action, Adventure, Horror

Plot Summary

In 1876, a legendary giant white buffalo begins a reign of terror across the Black Hills of South Dakota. Chief "Laughing Fox" interprets the creature's rampage as a bad omen and sends out his warriors to hunt it down. Meanwhile, the infamous gunman "Wild Bill" Hickok is also on the trail of the beast, seeking to prove his prowess against this formidable foe. Their paths converge in a dramatic showdown that pits man against nature and legend against reality.

Critical Reception

The White Buffalo received mixed to negative reviews from critics and audiences upon its release. While some acknowledged the ambitious premise and the presence of star Charles Bronson, many found the film to be melodramatic, overly violent, and tonally inconsistent, struggling to blend elements of a western with horror. Its box office performance was underwhelming, contributing to its status as a lesser-known Bronson film.

What Reviewers Say

  • The film is noted for its unusual premise of a monstrous buffalo as the antagonist.
  • Critics often cited the jarring mix of western action with supernatural or horror elements.
  • The pacing and plot were frequently described as uneven and unconvincing.

Google audience: Audience reception for The White Buffalo is generally poor, with many viewers finding the film's concept and execution to be nonsensical. The movie is often criticized for its excessive gore and the unbelievable nature of its central antagonist.

Fun Fact

The film's unusual blend of Western and horror elements, particularly the giant, monstrous white buffalo, was intended to capitalize on the success of creature features and Westerns but ultimately proved divisive.

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TMDB Reviews

1 reviews
Wuchak

Wuchak

_**This is what-were-they-thinking bad, but sorta enjoyable if you can acclimate**_ Wild Bill Hickok (Charles Bronson) is haunted by nightmares involving a legendary white buffalo and so travels to the Black Hills region to hunt the crea...