Released on the one-year anniversary of the Million Man March, GET ON THE BUS follows nearly 20 African Americans as they ride a bus cross-country to attend the historic event in Washington, DC. The passengers--a diverse group of Los Angeles-based men--include a bickering gay couple, a pompous (and disliked) Republican, a Spike Lee-esque film student, a vain actor, and a quarrelsome father and son who are literally shackled to each other by court order. The fascinating and enlightening discussions between the men shed light on numerous issues concerning the African American community and enrich their lives in the process. Lee chose to shoot his film on super-16mm stock, giving it a grainier, more documentary-like feel--which, when combined with the naturalistic performances from the ensemble cast, makes an impact that is all the more immediate. Lee's camera and the actors breathe fervor into Reggie Rock Blythewood's screenplay. Standout performances include Ossie Davis, Charles S. Dutton, Andre Braugher, De'Aundre Bonds, Roger Guenveur Smith, and Richard Belzer (as the white bus driver). Once again Spike Lee delivers a poignant commentary on the state of African American affairs at the end of the 20th century.

As a fictional group of men, bonded together simply by the color of their skin, embark on a chartered bus from South Central Los Angeles to the Million Man March in Washington, DC, their divergent personalities and purposes ultimately lead them to a greater understanding of themselves, each other, and the importance of their journey. GET ON THE BUS is a passionate dissertation on the African American male experience from director Spike Lee and screenwriter Reggie Rock Blythewood.

GET ON THE BUS was released theatrically on October 16, 1996, which was the one-year anniversary of the Million Man March.

The film was shot in three weeks on locations across America.

Despite rumors to the contrary, Columbia Pictures offered to fund this film. However, in the spirit of the Million Man March, the $2.4 million budget was fully financed by contributions of $100,000 to $200,000 from 15 African American men, including director Spike Lee, screenwriter Reggie Rock Blythewood, producer Reuben Cannon, actors Wesley Snipes, Will Smith, Robert Guillaume, and Danny Glover, music executive Jheryl Busby, basketball player Charles Smith, lawyer Johnnie Cochran and businessmen Olden Lee, Lem Daniels, Calvin Grigsby and Larkin Arnold. Their production entity was titled A 15 Black Men Production.

Actors Andre Braugher and Richard Belzer also appeared together in the TV series HOMICIDE.

DVD Features:

Region 1
Keep Case
Anamorphic Widescreen - 1.85
Single Side - Dual Layer
Audio:
Dolby Digital 5.1 - English
Dolby Digital 2.0 - French
Additional Release Material:
Audio Commentary - 1.Spike Lee - Director
Text/Photo Galleries:
Talent Files

Ossie Davis: Actor/Director/Screenwriter, husband of actress Ruby Dee
Charles S. Dutton: Actor/Director
Andre Braugher: American Actor/"Glory"
De'Aundre Bonds: 
Roger Guenveur Smith: Supporting Actor
Isaiah Washington: Actor/"Crooklyn"
Harry J. Lennix: Actor/"Mo' Money"
Thomas Jefferson Byrd: African American actor - "Clockers," "Get on the Bus"
Richard Belzer: American Actor/Comedian

Spike Lee: African American director, DO THE RIGHT THING (1989)

Reggie Rock Bythewood: Director/Screenwriter, DANCING IN SEPTEMBER (2000)

"...[A] provocative talkfest on wheels..."
"...GET ON THE BUS marks a powerful return to form....This film is about maturity and the embracing of responsibility..."
"...GET ON THE BUS takes [Lee] to a new level of artistic maturity....A work of refined intensity..." -- Rating: B+
"...A vital regeneration of a filmmaker's talent as well as a bracing and often very funny dramatization of urgent sociopolitical themes..."
"...Heartfelt and finally celebratory....Real and significant, it's successful at holding our interest, at making us care and believe..."
"...What makes GET ON THE BUS extraordinary is the truth and feeling that go into its episodes....This is a film with a full message for the heart, and the mind..."