The Bus Is Coming

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The Bus Is Coming
Ghetto Revenge
Directed by Wendell James Franklin
Written by Horace Jackson
Produced byHorace Jackson
Herbert H. Dow
Starring
  • Mike B. Simms
  • Burl Bullock
CinematographyMike Rhodes
Edited byDonald R. Rode
Music by Tom McIntosh
Production
company
K-Calb Productions
Distributed byWilliam Thompson Productions Incorporated
Release date
  • 1971 (1971)
Running time
107 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish

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]

Contents

Plot

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

Reception

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]

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References

  1. 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.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 Scott, Sharon (4 December 1971). "'The Bus Is Coming'". The Pittsburgh Courier . Retrieved 19 September 2022.
  3. Thompson, Howard (20 November 1971). "The Bus Is Coming' Is Engrossing". The New York Times . Retrieved 19 September 2022.
  4. "The Bus Is Coming Reviews". TV Guide . Retrieved 19 September 2022.
  5. Leary, Richard (16 December 1971). "'They shall rise up like eagles'". The Village Voice . Retrieved 19 September 2022.
  6. Little, John (4 January 1972). "'Bus' Runs Gamut Of Town's Racism". The Pittsburgh Press . Retrieved 19 September 2022.