Spike Lee movie 'Get on the Bus' marks anniversary of Million Man March

Jet, Oct 28, 1996

With almost as much anticipation and hype as the actual Million Man March, director Spike Lee's movie inspired by the historical event opened at theaters on the anniversary of the gathering of more than 1 million Black men.

Get On The Bus, a Columbia Pictures' movie, chronicles a group of men's three-day journey via bus from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. However the trip is more than just across America; it takes the men down a path of forgotten roads within themselves. Their destination brings about unity and hope, the very themes of the event.

Aboard the bus is a perplexed combination of Black men whose lives, problems and attitudes are reflective of today's society. Legendary actor Ossie Davis stars as Jeremiah, who has earned an honest living. However, in his senior years he loses his job, falls upon hard times and finally realizes the true meaning of living.

Another passenger, Gary, played by Roger Guenveur Smith, is biracial and a Los Angeles Police Department cop, which adds to the contention on the bus. A quarreling gay couple is also on board. The couple--straight-laced Randall, played by Harry Lennix, and former Marine Kyle, played by Isaiah Washington--is trying to come to terms with being openly gay.

Supplying much of the frequent comedy on the bus is Andre Braugher, who plays an egotistical actor named Flip. More humor is dispersed during a memorable scene when the gentlemen allow a greedy, cigar-smoking Republican car salesman, played by Wendell Pierce, to board the bus in Memphis. The scene, like every other, is packed with messages that not only will entertain audiences but will also make them think.

Evan Thomas Sr., played by Thomas Jefferson Byrd, and his teenage son, Junior, played by DeAundre Bonds, are also on their way to Washington, D.C. Ironically, the father-son duo boards the bus handcuffed together, a result of a 72-hour court order to discipline Junior's teenaged swindling. Rounding out the cast is Jamal, played by Gabriel Casseus, a recent convert to the Islamic religion who has a disturbing past, and Xavier, played by Hill Harper, a young film student who's on a journey to discover the meaning of life. Parts of the film are seen through his camera.

Pulling the cast together as the organizer of the trip is Charles Dutton, who plays the responsible cheerleader of the group.

Like the movie itself, the film's soundtrack includes inspiring and unforgettable songs, especially Put Your Heart On The Line, which was written by Babyface and is performed by the "King of Pop," Michael Jackson. Celebrated musician Curtis Mayfield, who makes a comeback to the music world, records his song, New World Order, for the movie. Several other Mayfield hits are also used.

The spirit of the March was captured early when Spike Lee called on brothers around the country to finance the film. Answering his call were businessmen Jheryl Busby, Lemuel Daniels, Calvin Grigsby, Robert Johnson and Olden Lee; basketball player Charles D. Smith Jr.; producers Reggie "Rock" Bythewood who wrote the screenplay, and Reuben Cannon, who is one of the film's producers; attorneys Johnnie L. Cochran, Jr., and Larkin Arnold; actors Danny Glover, Robert Guillaume, Will Smith, Wesley Snipes and Spike Lee himself.

Get On The Bus is definitely about unity. Differences aside, the men who board the bus as strangers emerge thousands of miles later as brothers. The spirit of the Million Man March is ignited on the bus before the actual event begins, and the movie leaves the audience feeling the heat of the burning flame, one year later.