The Bus Is Coming
| The Bus Is Coming Ghetto Revenge | |
|---|---|
| Directed by | Wendell James Franklin |
| Written by | Horace Jackson |
| Produced by | Horace Jackson Herbert H. Dow |
| Starring |
|
| Cinematography | Mike Rhodes |
| Edited by | Donald R. Rode |
| Music by | Tom McIntosh |
Production company | K-Calb Productions |
| Distributed by | William Thompson Productions Incorporated |
Release date |
|
Running time | 107 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
The Bus Is Coming (also known as Ghetto Revenge) is a 1971 American drama film written by Horace Jackson. The film is directed by Wendell James Franklin and stars Mike B. Simms and Burl Bullock.[1]
Plot
[edit]The film is about the death of a prominent Black community member Joe Mitchell, who served on the school board.[2] "The Black Fist," a local black power political organization wants to hold a rally in response to Mitchell's death because the "town must pay it's dues".[2] Billy Mitchell, Joe's brother returns from the Vietnam War and investigates Joe's death.[2] He becomes aware of a gang of racist cops, and eventually joins The Black Fist group to seek revenge.[2]
Cast
[edit]- Mike B. Simms as Billy Mitchell
- Burl Bullock as Michael
- Stephanie Faulkner as Tanya
- Morgan Jones as Tim Naylor
- Robert Brubaker as Chief Jackson
- Sandra Reed as Miss Nickerson
Reception
[edit]Howard Thompson of The New York Times called the film "strong, probing and impressively balanced".[3] TV Guide wrote that the film "manages to address the racial issues while telling an interesting, albeit melodramatic story."[4]
Richard Leary of The Village Voice called the acting "amateurish", the direction "pedestrian", and the production "shoe-string".[5] John Little of The Pittsburgh Press called the film "angry" and wrote that "the anger overcomes the effort".[6] Sharon Scott of The Pittsburgh Courier wrote a negative review of the film.[2]
References
[edit]- ^ Walker, David; Rausch, Andrew J.; Watson, Chris (2009). Reflections on Blaxploitation: Actors and Directors Speak. Scarecrow Press. p. 199. ISBN 978-0-8108-6706-2.
- ^ a b c d e Scott, Sharon (4 December 1971). "'The Bus Is Coming'". The Pittsburgh Courier. Retrieved 19 September 2022.
- ^ Thompson, Howard (20 November 1971). "The Bus Is Coming' Is Engrossing". The New York Times. Retrieved 19 September 2022.
- ^ "The Bus Is Coming Reviews". TV Guide. Retrieved 19 September 2022.
- ^ Leary, Richard (16 December 1971). "'They shall rise up like eagles'". The Village Voice. Retrieved 19 September 2022.
- ^ Little, John (4 January 1972). "'Bus' Runs Gamut Of Town's Racism". The Pittsburgh Press. Retrieved 19 September 2022.