DirectorJ. Lee Thompsonmay not be a widely recognized namein the world of cinema, with minor hits like the war filmThe Guns of Navarone, the original 1962Cape Fear, and the acclaimed drama/romanceWoman in a Dressing Gown. But Thompson has cemented himself in cinema history by directingConquest of the Planet of the ApesandBattle for the Planet of the Apes, even though the films marked the franchise’s downfall.
Still, Thompson, who would pass in 2002, left behind 45 films, with many of them acting as hidden gems of a bygone era of Hollywood. One such film, which was touted as the “Moby Dickof Westerns,” was 1977’sThe White Buffalo, a peculiar piece of cinema that merged elements of creature features and Wild West action.
The movie was penned by Richard Sale, who at that point had a fair number of films adapted based on his books and was considered an accomplished author in his own right. The movie also secured an explosive cast of niche but respectedtalents like Charles Bronson, Will Sampson, and Jack Warden. In addition, it starred familiar faces of the Western genre, including Slim Pickens and Clint Walker.
While the film was largely overlooked, one can now easily watchThe White Buffalofor free on YouTube. Here is a closer look at the movie, and why it is a long-hidden gem.
What is The White Buffalo, and Why Have I Not Heard of It?
The White Buffalois an unconventional Western movie; it revolves around two men drawn to hunt a massive white buffalo for their own reasons. Bill Hickok, played by Charles Bronson, has become haunted by visions of the large white buffalo and is overwhelmed with the desire to hunt it for himself. Alternatively, Crazy Horse, played by Will Sampson, is on a mission of redemption to both reclaim his pride and see that the spirit of his daughter is sent off properly after the massive creature rampaged through his village and killed her.
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Despite having different goals in their hunt, the two find themselves unlikely allies as they aid each other, with others looking to hunt them down in turn: Hickok for his past transgressions in the area against locals and the indigenous people, and Crazy Horse for being excommunicated from his tribe due to his actions after his daughter’s death. This tension culminates in a final deadly showdown between the two against the massive white buffalo in the snowy mountains.
It’s a film we hope will work on many levels. On the first, it is a wonderful, sensitive story between Wild Bill Hickok and the great Indian chief Crazy Horse. On the second, it talks of a man having to find himself, seek his destiny, rid himself of fears, and become more human. (J. Lee Thompson)
It sounds pretty epic, on paper. Unfortunately, audiences and critics did not appreciate the film on release, andit was a commercial flop. However, some of the critique was not entirely deserved.
Why You Should Watch White Buffalo
We are not going to say that the film is perfect or without faults, and despite having iconic actor Will Sampson (One Flew over the Cuckoo’s Nest) playing Crazy Horse, the movie was unfavorable in its depiction of indigenous people. Though this was the case with many films of the era, this element is likely to raise some eyebrows and completely deter certain viewers.
That element aside, the movie is somewhat limited by its production values, and the titular white buffalo (created by Carlo Rambaldi, who did 1976’sKing Kongthe year before) looks either amazing or awkward, depending on the shot and action. Finally, the emphasis on drama with minimal action and minimal creature-feature elements puts it in a peculiar place tonally that may not appease everyone.
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That said, the movie boasts a strong, iconic cast, and it is an absolute joy to see action star Charles Bronson (Death Wish) and Muscogee Nation native Will Sampson act together.For fans of the Western genre, it is also a treat to see a few familiar faces, with Clint Walker ofDirty DozenandCheyennefame. The cast here is well-rounded, and everyone plays off each other to immerse the viewer in the vernacular of the Old West.
As mentioned, the white buffalo does not always look intimidating. Still, the shots where it does work are an excellent piece of movie magic, and the image of the buffalo rampaging through a village or the snow is a striking vision of chaotic nature. These elements are enough to make the movie notable and worth watching, especially for those who love Westerners oror creature-features, as while the movie kind of straddles both, it also offers a unique way of approaching it from either fandom.
Where Can I Watch The White Buffalo
The White Buffalois entirely accessible through the official YouTube “Movies & TV” channel, meaning the movie will likely stay on the platform indefinitely. The movie is also accessible on different streaming platforms, including Roku, Tubi, and Freevee, so if you find the film blocked in your region on YouTube, you should be able to find it elsewhere. Regardless, the YouTube release is presented in HD and is the easiest way to watch the unique Western feature for yourself.
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It is also a perfect watch to fit in during winter, with its cold environment and haunting vision of the white buffalo tearing through snow-capped mountains. This interesting and overlooked Wild West tale is worth a revisit for modern audiences, and lovers of westerns.
