The Bus Is Coming Review: Story, Cast, Rating & Final Verdict
Last updated: May 12, 2026
Movie Overview: The Bus Is Coming
| Movie | The Bus Is Coming |
| Release Year | 1971 |
| Director | Wendell Franklin |
| Genre | Drama / Action |
| Runtime | 109 minutes (1h 49m) |
| Language | EN |
Quick Verdict: Hit or Flop?
Is The Bus Is Coming (1971) worth watching? According to our cinematic analysis, the film stands as a ABOVE AVERAGE with a verified audience rating of 6.3/10. Whether you're looking for the box office collection, ending explained, or parents guide, our review covers everything you need to know about this Drama.
Cast & Character Study
The performances in The Bus Is Coming are led by Stephanie Faulkner . The supporting cast, including Mike B. Sims and Lonnie Bradford , provides the necessary layers to the central narrative.
movieMx Verdict: Is it Worth Your Time?
What Works in the Movie
While The Bus Is Coming does not fully realize its potential, it still contains moments that may appeal to viewers who enjoy Drama films.
- Interesting concept or premise
- Some entertaining scenes
- Supporting cast delivers occasional highlights
What Doesn't Work
Despite its strengths, The Bus Is Coming has a few issues that may affect the overall viewing experience, particularly in terms of pacing and narrative consistency.
- Uneven pacing in certain parts of the film
- Some predictable plot developments
- May not appeal to audiences outside the Drama fanbase
Story & Plot Summary: The Bus Is Coming
Quick Plot Summary: Released in 1971, The Bus Is Coming is a Drama, Action film directed by Wendell Franklin, written by Horace Jackson. The narrative explores complex human emotions and relationships through detailed character development. It provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict involving Stephanie Faulkner as Tanya.
Ending Explained: The Bus Is Coming
The Bus Is Coming Ending Explained: A young black soldier returns home to Los Angeles from combat in Vietnam to find out that his brother had been killed by a gang of racist cops. Directed by Wendell Franklin, this 1971 drama film stars Stephanie Faulkner (Tanya), alongside Mike B. Sims as Billy Mitchell, Lonnie Bradford as At the bus stop, Robert Brubaker as Chief Jackson. With a 6.3/10 rating, the ending has divided audiences.
What Happens at the End of The Bus Is Coming?
A young black soldier returns home to Los Angeles from combat in Vietnam to find out that his brother had been killed by a gang of racist cops. Angered, he joins a black nationalist group to take his revenge.
Wendell Franklin's narrative builds toward a resolution centered on Stephanie Faulkner (Tanya)'s journey. Angered, he joins a black nationalist group to take his revenge.
How Does Stephanie Faulkner (Tanya)'s Story End?
- Stephanie Faulkner: Stephanie Faulkner's storyline wraps up in the final act, though some viewers have found the resolution more ambiguous than expected.
- Mike B. Sims (Billy Mitchell): Mike B. Sims's role in the climax proves pivotal to how the central conflict resolves.
- Lonnie Bradford (At the bus stop): Lonnie Bradford's character undergoes a significant shift in the final act.
What Does the Ending of The Bus Is Coming Mean?
The Bus Is Coming's ending attempts to resolve the major plot threads, though some narrative elements involving Stephanie Faulkner may feel rushed. Wendell Franklin's final act has been both praised for its ambition and criticized for its execution.
The Bus Is Coming Real vs. Reel: Is it Based on a True Story?
Is The Bus Is Coming Based on a True Story?
No, The Bus Is Coming is a work of fiction. While the drama, action film directed by Wendell Franklin and starring Stephanie Faulkner may incorporate realistic themes, the characters and plot are original creations.
Who Should Watch The Bus Is Coming?
Age Advisory: Rated R — not suitable for younger viewers.
Worth Watching If You:
- Enjoy Drama films and don't mind familiar tropes
- Are a fan of Stephanie Faulkner or the director
- Want a character-driven story with emotional moments
The Bus Is Coming Parents Guide & Age Rating
1971 AdvisoryWondering about The Bus Is Coming age rating or if it's safe for kids? Here is our cinematic advisory:
⏱️ Runtime & Duration
The total runtime of The Bus Is Coming (1971) is 109 minutes (1h 49m). Directed by Wendell Franklin, the film runs for 109 minutes in its complete theatrical version.
Verdict Summary
Analyzing the overall audience sentiment, verified rating of 6.3/10, and global performance metrics, The Bus Is Coming is classified as a ABOVE AVERAGE. It remains an essential part of the 1971 cinematic calendar.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is The Bus Is Coming worth watching?
The Bus Is Coming is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Drama movies. It has a verified rating of 6.3/10 and stands as a ABOVE AVERAGE in our box office analysis.
Where can I find The Bus Is Coming parents guide and age rating?
The official parents guide for The Bus Is Coming identifies it as R. Our detailed advisory section above covers all content warnings for families.
What is the runtime of The Bus Is Coming (1971)?
The runtime of The Bus Is Coming (1971) is 109 minutes (approximately 1h 49m).
movieMx Verified
This review has been verified for accuracy and editorial quality by our senior cinematic analysts.
This analysis is compiled by our editorial experts using multi-source verification and audience sentiment data for maximum accuracy.
