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Get on the Bus

Play trailer Poster for Get on the Bus R Released Oct 16, 1996 2h 0m Drama LGBTQ+ Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
89% Tomatometer 45 Reviews 71% Popcornmeter 5,000+ Ratings
A disparate group of African-American men climb on a bus bound for the Million Man March in Washington, D.C. -- among them, Evan Sr. (Thomas Jefferson Byrd) and his son, Smooth (De'aundre Bonds), who have been shackled together as a condition of Smooth's temporary probation. Although the group begins the trip as strangers, their shared stories and experiences unite them as their discourse builds a portrait of what it means to be black in America.
Get on the Bus

What to Know

Critics Consensus

Get on the Bus finds Spike Lee pulling a page from history with fervor and flair, offering a strong, stirring fact-based drama further elevated by an array of solid performances.

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Critics Reviews

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David Ansen Newsweek The wonder of this funky, heartfelt film is that its humanity easily eclipses its didacticism. Working fast and cheap, Lee seems revitalized by the urgency of the endeavor. Feb 26, 2018 Full Review Lisa Schwarzbaum Entertainment Weekly Rated: B+ Sep 7, 2011 Full Review Desson Thomson Washington Post It's a simple, appealing premise and filmmaker Spike Lee uses it to full comic advantage. Oct 18, 2008 Full Review Keith Boykin The Advocate Lee's movie should be credited for portraying what no other black feature film (including John Singleton's Higher Learning, Forest Whitaker's Exhale, and Lee's own previous films) has shown before: three-dimensional black gay characters. Apr 5, 2022 Full Review Andrea Beach Common Sense Media Absorbing tale of unique moment in history; strong language. Rated: 4/5 Jul 29, 2020 Full Review Aaron Neuwirth We Live Entertainment The issues presented are the same as they were in years past, as well as fitting for today. Rated: 9/10 Jun 18, 2020 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Steve D Deep and beautifully written. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 02/15/23 Full Review Audience Member Spike Lee presents a tale of discovery and self-learning During the Million Man March in Washington DC 12 African American men board a shuttle to take part But first they have to break down what makes them a part of the black identity while also confronting their own issues Although the group begins the trip as strangers, their shared stories and experiences unite them as their discourse builds a portrait of what it means to be black in America Amazing cast comprised of Andre Braugher, Ossie Davis, Charles S. Dutton, Hill Harper, Isaiah Washington, Richard Belzer, Wendell Pierce, Bernie Mac, and Harry Lennix Each passenger has their own take on the topic of race, identity, language, destination, gender, manhood, crime This appears like a documentary yet is a big dramatization of urgent sociopolitical themes The director himself doesn't have to be in this to make the messages clear Is there such thing as atonement? Even though slavery is gone is it really over? What makes black black? Is one community supposed to fix everything that has happened in our history? Who do we have to blame for all the oppression, denigration, and suffering? Why leave out the female influence during a struggle for equality? It's important everyone should have a voice being a part of the same group man or woman Terrific actors making these men confront one another putting their issues on the table when it comes to masculinity, racism, discrimination, their roots, linguistics, homophobia, sexual preference, their portrayal in the media, law enforcement, and where they stand A movement is one thing but the real march in life has yet to begin to stop crime, start loving, and being better, we have got a lot of work to do Spike Lee makes one of his best, finest, and most honest flicks in his filmography The issues from back then are still present today holding so much relevancy Rated 4 out of 5 stars 01/22/23 Full Review Audience Member While it's preachy and schmaltzy, it's also evocative. Dreamy, trippy cinematography to support a story mostly set on a bus. Theatricality compensates stagnation; it's supposed to feel stagey. If it were realism, it'd be boring. Lots of interesting techniques employed here. Brilliant circumstances. Multidimensional; so many perspectives and ideologies represented. Ultimately, a film about unity. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 01/12/23 Full Review Audience Member I wanna see this movie over and over again I love it Rated 5 out of 5 stars 02/10/23 Full Review Audience Member Here Spike Lee tackles black history as always, but this time presents more rounded arguments and opinions. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 02/01/23 Full Review Audience Member Fictionalized account of the million man march is marred by slow pacing and one dimensional stock characters. Rated 2 out of 5 stars 02/19/23 Full Review Read all reviews
Get on the Bus

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Cast & Crew

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Movie Info

Synopsis A disparate group of African-American men climb on a bus bound for the Million Man March in Washington, D.C. -- among them, Evan Sr. (Thomas Jefferson Byrd) and his son, Smooth (De'aundre Bonds), who have been shackled together as a condition of Smooth's temporary probation. Although the group begins the trip as strangers, their shared stories and experiences unite them as their discourse builds a portrait of what it means to be black in America.
Director
Spike Lee
Producer
Barry Rosenbush, Reuben Cannon, Bill Borden
Screenwriter
Reggie Rock Bythewood
Distributor
Sony Pictures Entertainment, Columbia Pictures
Production Co
40 Acres & A Mule Filmworks
Rating
R
Genre
Drama, LGBTQ+
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Oct 16, 1996, Original
Release Date (Streaming)
Nov 30, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA)
$5.7M
Runtime
2h 0m
Sound Mix
Surround