**** you

All these losers who are sad over what is JUST. A. FUCKING. VOLLEYBALL.
Get a grip you morons.
"Please vote to preserve the unique character of Warren…" - Robert Duvall

For me, this is one of the great moments in the movies. It's staggering in its level of heartbreak. What else has to happen to Chuck in this film? At the same time, Wilson floating away does seem to emote some final stripping away of everything Hanks had before getting his second chance at life, a life he's probably going to live quite differently if/when he gets the chance.
The power of Hanks manifests here in this scene. He's performed a kind of magic trick on the audience; he's made you care about that damn volleyball. It meant the world to him, that and a photograph. Hanks is completely convincing. It's as powerful as anything you'll see.
One other film this moment reminds me of is the last time you see Charles Foster Kane say "Rosebud"; the scene in which Susan Alexander has left him, and he throws the temper tantrum, destroying all the stuff in their tent. Then he comes across the snowglobe, he picks it up, and says "Rosebud". You now have the story of his life, and you understand completely what he's saying, the complete and total loss of the life he would know, and that no money, no matter how much in the world, could replace his parents and their love. Rosebud, something he lost, that he had no opportunity to prevent from losing. In that case, Kane's childhood, his life. For Chuck, he lost everything he ever had. Losing Wilson, it's yet one more thing he loses. It kills me.
Great, evocative film.

It is a very powerful scene.
I have turned it into a joke while Candle Pin bowling. Every time we go against my buddy Wilson's team and I always look at him and re-enact: "WILSON!!! I'm sorry Wilson. I'm sorry."

Yep, heart-shredding.
Hanks really sold the bond and you believed that this inanimate object had become a trusted buddy and companion.

It was too sad

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Wilson should have won an Oscar.

Your six year old's reaction is just a clear bottom line on Wilson. Some have different thoughts but a six year old nailed it. WILSON.

Just to take a hard line, Wilson was lost, because of Chuck's carelessness. He didn't secure him (it) to the raft well enough. So I have to wonder, did he weep for the loss of the volley ball, or for his own shortcoming, his own failure?
I think this is a story about a man coming to terms with his own limitations. In his old life, Chuck was more or less a success, due to his station within a hierarchy, but when forced to face life alone, he learned he could not really make it. Had he stayed on the island, how long could he have survived? How long could "Wilson" keep him from going insane, before he would have to invent a new, more elaborate fantasy, to keep himself grounded? And leaving the island meant, he could survive, but only with the help of others. At the end of the movie, when he looks into the camera, I think the question in Chuck's mind must be, "Can I forgive myself, for not being perfect?"

My 6-year-old son saw that scene for the first time two weeks ago and cried and cried and cried. He couldn't get over that scene. Even after the movie was over, he kept asking me if he got another volleyball and painted another face on it.
The scene was utterly heartbreaking.
All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given to us. -Gandalf the Grey

I pretty much agree here. I even cried to bits when the water toke Wilson away

Just might be the saddest moment in cinematic history for me and I've watched alot of sad beep

I remember when I first saw it at the Cinema and when Wilson dropped off into the water I sort of smiled a little and half heartedly thought 'oh no he's lost him' but then it suddently got really real when he couldn't get to him and I was amazed at how powerful that scene really was.

Yes, the first time I seen the film I was around eight years old and I couldn't help but cry when he had to leave Wilson in fear of losing the raft. Even now I still find the scene difficult despite knowing the outcome, that's just the power of the legendary Tom Hanks' acting I guess.
"The blackest eyes.the devils eyes" - Dr Loomis

LOL. Every time I see Chuck lying on that raft, crying, bawling his eyes out, so weak, so frail, so tortured by everything that's happened to him I can't help but burst into tears over his loss either. It's Wilson. There really are no words to describe how powerful that connection must have been and how hard losing that connection might be.
And I know it's just a fcking volleyball! LMAO.

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I completely agree with OP!! Only Tom Hanks could humanize a freakin' volleyball making us cry as Wilson floats away from him. How was Wilson not nominated for an Oscar?!! And when it happens, I'm like, okay, maybe he can get off the raft and get Wilson and get back on the raft. I'm like, OH NO! when we all realize it can't be done and he loses Wilson. That is one of the toughest scenes for me to watch. Helen Hunt? Whatever. Yawn. But Wilson!!!!!!!!!
The snowflake makes it cold, cold, cold. Set temperature makes it hold, hold hold.

It reminds me of the short film The Red Balloon. I cried when the balloon "died".

I loved this film and Chucks 'relationship' with Wilson. I watch Castaway every time it screens. Tom Hanks is brilliant in his role. Although the film gets a little slow after his rescue, I always enjoy it from beginning to end.

And to mention Tom's brilliant performance he really has that effect on you, this picture will forever have a place in my heart, it's probably one of my all time favorites.

Agreed, that was an incredibly sad scene. Always gets me.

Former username Kawada_Shogo

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Spoiler-alert I think they totally overdid the Wilson bit. Contrary to what others have said, having a "Wilson" didn't "save" his sanity, it clearly lost it for him. They overdid it by having him become so over-the-top loopy over the volleyball, only to transition instantly back to his calm, stable, Tom Hanks self upon his rescue. I didn't buy it.