Get on the Bus

Get on the Bus is a 1996 American drama film directed by Spike Lee and written by Reggie Rock Bythewood. The film features an ensemble cast, including Ossie Davis, Charles S. Dutton, Andre Braugher, Isaiah Washington, and Harry Lennix, and explores themes of African American identity, civil rights, and Malcolm X. The film premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival and was released in the United States by Columbia Pictures, receiving critical acclaim from Roger Ebert and Owen Gleiberman.

● Get on

the Bus The film Get on the Bus was conceived by Spike Lee as a way to explore the experiences of African American men in the United States, particularly in the context of the Million Man March, which was organized by Louis Farrakhan and the Nation of Islam. The film's script was written by Reggie Rock Bythewood, who drew inspiration from the works of James Baldwin, Richard Wright, and Langston Hughes. The film's cast includes Ossie Davis, a veteran actor and civil rights activist, as well as Charles S. Dutton, who had previously appeared in Spike Lee's film Menace II Society. Other notable cast members include Andre Braugher, who had won a Emmy Award for his role in Homicide: Life on the Street, and Isaiah Washington, who had appeared in Spike Lee's film Clockers.

● Plot

The plot of Get on the Bus follows a group of African American men who embark on a journey from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. to attend the Million Man March, which was held on the National Mall in Washington, D.C.. The characters, who come from diverse backgrounds and have different motivations for attending the march, include a young man played by Hill Harper, who is a student at UCLA, and a veteran of the Vietnam War played by Charles S. Dutton. Along the way, the characters encounter various challenges and obstacles, including a confrontation with a group of Ku Klux Klan members, and engage in discussions and debates about issues such as racesim, police brutality, and African American identity. The film also features appearances by notable figures such as Ossie Davis, who plays a wise and experienced elder, and Gina Torres, who plays a FBI agent.

● Production

The production of Get on the Bus was overseen by Spike Lee and his production company, 40 Acres and a Mule Filmworks, in association with Columbia Pictures. The film was shot on location in Los Angeles, Las Vegas, and Washington, D.C., and features a mix of established and emerging actors. The film's cinematography was handled by Elliot Davis, who had previously worked with Spike Lee on Malcolm X, and the score was composed by Hank Shocklee, a member of the Bomb Squad production team. The film's editing was handled by Sam Pollard, who had previously worked on Spike Lee's film Mo' Better Blues.

● Release and Reception

Get on the Bus was released in the United States on October 16, 1996, and received widespread critical acclaim from critics such as Roger Ebert and Owen Gleiberman. The film holds a 88% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, with many critics praising the film's thoughtful and nuanced exploration of African American identity and experience. The film was also a commercial success, grossing over $5 million at the box office and helping to establish Spike Lee as a major force in American cinema. The film premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival and was also screened at the Sundance Film Festival and the Cannes Film Festival.

● Impact and Legacy

The impact and legacy of Get on the Bus can be seen in its influence on subsequent films and television shows that explore themes of African American identity and experience, such as The Wire and Atlanta. The film's thoughtful and nuanced portrayal of African American men and its exploration of issues such as racesim and police brutality have made it a classic of American cinema, and it continues to be studied and appreciated by scholars and film enthusiasts today. The film's success also helped to establish Spike Lee as a major force in American cinema, and paved the way for his subsequent films, including Summer of Sam and 25th Hour. The film has also been recognized by institutions such as the Library of Congress, which has selected it for preservation in the National Film Registry. Category:American drama films