The Big Bus
The Big Bus

Movie spotlight

The Big Bus

1976
Movie
88 min
English

A nuclear-powered bus is making its maiden non-stop trip from New York to Denver. The journey is plagued by disasters due to the machinations of a mysterious group allied with the oil lobby. Will the down-on-his-luck driver, with a reputation for eating his passengers, be able to complete the journey?

Insights

IMDb5.7/10
Rotten Tomatoes40%
Google Users60%
Director: James FrawleyGenres: Comedy, Disaster

Plot Summary

A massive, nuclear-powered, cross-country bus called 'The Expedition' embarks on its maiden voyage from New York to Denver. The journey is fraught with peril, including sabotage attempts, a bomb threat, and various mechanical failures. The quirky and dysfunctional crew, led by the determined Captain Dan Irwin, must overcome these challenges while dealing with eccentric passengers and internal conflicts.

Critical Reception

The Big Bus was generally met with a lukewarm reception from critics and audiences alike, often viewed as a silly and over-the-top parody of disaster films. While some appreciated its broad humor and ambitious premise, many found it to be largely unfocused and lacking in consistent comedic payoff.

What Reviewers Say

  • A bombastic and occasionally amusing spoof of disaster movies.

  • The film suffers from a lack of focus and relies too heavily on slapstick.

  • Despite its ambition, the humor often falls flat, making for a forgettable experience.

Google audience: Audience reviews indicate a mixed to negative sentiment, with many finding the film too silly and dated. Some viewers appreciated the nostalgic aspect and the sheer absurdity of the premise, but a significant portion felt the comedy did not age well and the plot was too disjointed.

Fun Fact

The titular 'Big Bus' was an actual custom-built vehicle that weighed over 30 tons and was over 100 feet long, requiring special permits and logistical planning for its movement during filming.

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