Get on the Bus (1996)

A disparate group of African-American men travel by bus to Washington, DC for the Million Man March.

Director:

Spike Lee

Writer:

Reggie Rock Bythewood

Stars:

Ossie Davis, Charles S. Dutton, Andre Braugher

2 wins & 5 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Richard Belzer	...	Rick
De'aundre Bonds	...	Junior, aka 'Smooth'
Andre Braugher	...	Flip
Thomas Jefferson Byrd	...	Evan Thomas Sr.
Gabriel Casseus	...	Jamal
Albert Hall	...	Craig
Hill Harper	...	Xavier
Harry Lennix	...	Randall
Bernie Mac	...	Jay
Wendell Pierce	...	Wendell
Roger Guenveur Smith	...	Gary
Isaiah Washington	...	Kyle
Steve White	...	Mike
Ossie Davis	...	Jeremiah
Charles S. Dutton	...	George

Storyline

Get on the Bus follows several Black men on a cross country bus trip to the Million Man March. On the bus are an eclectic set of characters including a laid off aircraft worker, a former Gang Banger, a Hollywood actor, a cop who is of mixed racial background, and a White bus driver, all make the trek discussing issues surrounding the march, manhood, religion, politics, and race.

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Plot Keywords:

road movie | bus | march | million man march | religion | 

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Taglines:

On October 16, 1996, the one year anniversary of the Million Man March, Spike Lee invites you to lift your head, raise your voice, and...get on the bus.

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Genres:

Drama | History

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for language

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

16 October 1996 (USA)

Also Known As:

Auf engstem Raum

Filming Locations:

USA

Box Office

Budget:

$2,400,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$2,837,711, 20 October 1996, Wide Release

Gross USA:

$5,731,103, 17 November 1996

Company Credits

Production Co:

Columbia Pictures Corporation,15 Black Men,40 Acres & A Mule Filmworks

Technical Specs

Runtime:

120 min

Sound Mix:

SDDS Dolby SR

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Released on 16 October 1996, approximately one year after the March itself.

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Goofs

By evening on the second day of driving, the bus had gone from Los Angeles, CA to Memphis, TN (almost 1,800 miles). Despite driving through the night, by evening on the third day they had only traveled as far as Knoxville, TN (almost 400 miles).

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Quotes

Flip: You tell me what men who like women wouldn't want a little something on the side?

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Crazy Credits

Recumbent riders: Carol and Ken Lyon, who just happened to ride through the set on their Cross-Country Ramble from Ventura, CA, to Galveston, TX.

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Connections

Referenced in The Holiday (2006)

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Soundtracks

Destiny is Calling
Lyrics by Guru
Music by Permanent Revolution
Used by permission of Ill Kid Music/ EMI April Music, Inc. (ASCAP) and Polygram Editions (France)
Originally produced in London by Permanent Revolution
Performed by Guru featuring Permanent Revolution
Guru appears courtesy of Chrysalis Music
Permanent Revolution Appears Courtesy of Nation Records Ltd.

User Reviews

This is something ALL America can relate to.

Get On The Bus is probably one greatest movies people do NOT know about. This movie places men of all ages and different backgrounds together headed to The Million Man March. Although many may not relate to Farrakhan and his beliefs, they will, however, be educated on issues of race, unity, and respect. Regardless of skin color or ethnic background, people can easily relate to the characters on-screen. If anything, Get On The Bus will teach anyone to have a deeper love and appreciation of our fellow man.