MovieChat Forums > Radio Flyer (1992) Discussion > The crying buffalo

The crying buffalo

posted 9 years ago by DannieDarko
2 replies | jump to latest

What do you think the lonely, crying buffalo near the beginning represented?

I just saw the movie for the second time in more than 20 years and I was blown away by the analysis some of you provide about the "real" ending. Since I was about 8 or 9 years old when I saw this I always thought he flew away and went to go live with the buffalo so that the buffalo wouldn't be lonely anymore (hence the 1st post card was from the buffalo corral they stopped at on their road trip to California).

I read on another review that the crying buffalo represented the tears of abused children but they had the interaction with the buffalo well before the abuse started.

Honestly, I'm kindof depressed after watching it again. But I am surprised no one mentioned the lonely buffalo...clearly that scene had some significance, no?

[–] Bonehead-XL 9 years ago

I think the buffalo represents Bobby. He's a bit of an oddball, a loner, with even Mike not entirely understanding his dreams of flying or the far-off look he gets in his eyes. (Until the very end, anyway.) Like the buffalo, he's one of a kind and alone because of it. This is why, in Mike's dream, the Buffalo speaks to him about his brother.

[–] DannieDarko 9 years ago

That is some good insight; thanks!