On the Buses

Those who regard the '70's as 'the decade that taste forgot' cite the success of 'On The Buses' in spurious defence of their views. "It was the most popular film of 1971!", they rage, "Everyone in Britain then must have been stupid!". Er, no. It came out at a bad time for British cinema. Big American studios had withdrawn funding for productions, hence something drastic needed to be done to keep cinemas open. The success of the 'Till Death Us Do Part' movie in 1969 provided an answer; make feature-length versions of hit television sitcoms. The bigger the sitcom the more popular the film was likely to be. In 1971, you could not find one more popular than 'On The Buses', then three years old. It made sound economic sense for a studio - in this case, Hammer Films - to buy the screen rights. Nobody could have predicted just how successful it would turn out to be, overtaking 'Love Story' as that year's biggest picture in the U.K. Yes, it out grossed 'Diamonds Are Forever' too, but the latter only opened in December, while 'O.T.B' was on release in July, so oft-repeated comparisons between the box office performances of these films are grossly unfair. One possible explanation for the film's extraordinary success may have been that it afforded many 'O.T.B.' fans, the ones who hadn't upgraded to colour television, with their first glimpse of their favourite show in anything other than monochrome. Also, in the seaside towns and holiday camps it may have provided a respite for sodden tourists keen to escape from the occasionally appalling British weather ( which is how I came to see it ). With that year's 'Carry On' ( 'Carry On At Your Convienience' ) proving a flop, 'On The Buses' was well placed to take advantage of audiences feeling let down by the latest outing of Sid, Hattie and co. The main part of the plot ( the Luxton bus company getting up the noses of its staff by hiring women drivers ) could have formed the basis of a typical episode, but the writers were able to broaden ( some would say, coarsen ) the humour, which is why we get clippies taking their clothes off, slapstick ( Blakey getting drenched as Stan's bus goes though a puddle ) and jokes about incontinence. However, a subplot concerning Olive's pregnancy distanced the film from its television counterpart, as Arthur and Olive were childless in the series. One thing common to nearly all these films ( apart from 'Please Sir!', ' Steptoe & Son', and 'Dad's Army' ) was the absence of the original theme music; here we get a dreary pub singalong ( credited to 'Quince Harmon' ) entitled 'Its A Great Life On The Buses'. I can understand why some 'O.T.B' fans loathe the movies, but they should bear this in mind - for many years, this - and indeed the other two films - were the only 'On The Buses' to be found on British television. Whatever their perceived shortcomings, they at least kept the flag flying for the crazy world of Stan, Blakey and co. Otherwise it might have been totally forgotten.

Well I'm only 37 years late, but good movies stand the test of time, and this one (which is a few years older than me) is still hilarious in 2008! It's not really that dated, to be honest, other than the music, fashion and various bus-driving techniques. You don't see sexy young "clippies" on your local Arriva nowadays, more's the pity. Where are the laughs to be found in an Oyster card? The union stuff seems pretty 70s as well. But the locations look strangely up-to-date. I'm guessing they were somewhere in North London/Hertfordshire near the Elstree studios. All this crap about it being sexist or whatever, anyone who thinks that has obviously never been in a workplace full of men. Men haven't changed. The only difference is that the media is run by many more women and "out" gay people nowadays, and so they clearly won't relate to the humour here. Fair enough, but don't make the mistake of thinking these types of attitudes are dated, cos they're not. In fact, they enjoyed somewhat of a fashion revival in the 90s with the "new lad" culture, which survives well into the present day on various cable channels and magazines like "Nuts" and "Zoo". As one other reviewer said, it's that honesty and realism about what working men think about and do, to get through the monotony of the day, that makes On The Buses stand out as above average...not to mention the fact that slapstick comedy and innuendo, well-executed and as convincing parts of a plot line, are timelessly funny! The plot, such as it was, is almost instantly forgettable. Technically I guess this is a flaw, but what sticks in my mind after watching the movie is a general manic feelgood factor. If you're the kind of person who finds female-orientated programmes like Big Brother entertaining then probably this isn't for you. If, however, you want to watch an ego-free ensemble comedy that can make you laugh then you could do a lot worse than On The Buses.

This is an abysmal film spun off from an equally abysmal TV show the dumbest most inept embarrassing spin off film ever to grace the silver screen and its about two bus drivers named Stan and jack played by Reg Varney and Bob grant who spend their time eying up birds smoking and trying to outwit their superior played by Stephen Lewis undoubtedly the best and funniest actor in this entire show and film he is the reason for me giving it one. I would vote 0 if possible but I can't but still apart from that its jokes are cringe worthy and forced with the amounts of innuendo related gags such as looking up dolly birds skirts jokes centred on the male and female anatomy and cringe worthy dialogue written by the creators of this anyway if you want decent proper British comedy check out the carry on's the worst ones which look like citizen cane compared to this insufferably unfunny tepid disgraceful attempt at comedy they should have been ashamed of themselves for producing such crap.

On the Buses is a bawdy comedy set in what appears to be a very "randy" 1970s time and age where women would all be in short mini skirts and have clevages sticking out a mile. This kind of comedy and "bawdy-ness" is incredibly dated - as is the plot of women drivers taking over bus routes. The paper-thin plot is just an excuse for Stan and Butler to redo their TV series on the screen. Whilst you can "sort of" relax at the jokes, it does get annoying as Stan & Butler keep laughing at their own jokes. The Hitler-moustached inspector is pretty funny, maybe its his laugh, or maybe he's the only one who seems out of place. Anyway, its a seriousily dated piece of comedy. You might enjoy it, but you really do need to put your brain into neutral. Overall: 3/10

Dated, but wonderful. "On The Buses" was part of my childhood and ab-so-lutely a product of its time, so i understand (and respect) why many non-Brits or young Brits hate it. Filmed between 1969 and 1973 as a 70 episode tv series and three movies it chronicles the lives of bus driver Stan (Reg Varney), his family, his best mate Jack (Bob Grant) and their constant battles with Inspector Blake (Stephen lewis). It doesn't sound much on paper but the reality for millions around my own age (40) and older was hilarious comedy and I wouldn't hesitate to call it a classic. I used to long for Sunday evenings to see the latest episode. Of course it's sexist and vulgar and anti PC. That's the way comedy (and life) was back then, and in my opinion we were better for it! It's also a stunningly accurate portrayal of British working class life in the early 70s. Here's a little 'aside' for those of you who slag off the crudity and sexism of On The Buses. My Granny hated it (for those reasons) and used to watch the sober / religious tv show presented by Jess Yates instead. We later discovered he was "shagging" everything he could get his hands on! At least On The Buses was never hypocritical. It was always well written and the cast were excellent. The talent and depth they brought to the characters puts it right up there with Dads Army and Only Fools & Horses. Michael Robbins had a deadpan style and razor sharp timing that few actors could equal. There's always a hilarious sense of the famous British 'repression' in his character. Some people may remember his guest appearance as a Flea Exterminator in an episode of "The Good Life". He can never bring himself to say the word "flea" and always refers to them as "the little offendors". There's a great chemistry between Stan and Jack and I really felt that Reg Varney and Bob Grant were mates. Of course, the highlight of On The Buses was always the priceless Inspector, "Blakey". Stephen lewis is a genius and the character he created is second to none, anywhere in British tv. With his Hitler moustache, pained expressions and classic catch-phrases he's a comedy icon. Like all fans I was very saddened by the recent death of Bob Grant. If only the poor man could've realised how much laughter he brought to the world. RIP Bob.

Lazy, offensive, misogynistic. Two elderly wannabe Playboy's get up to completely banal sniggering nonsense like two lobotomised schoolboys

This spin-off from the popular ITV sitcom was the most popular British film of 1971, it's takings even outgrossing Diamonds Are Forever, the James Bond film of that year. Take my word for it, the critics tore it to pieces and they still do now when it's shown on television. I don't think it's overly funny but I still love it. Okay so it's sexist, but like the Carry On films, even though it's not hilarious it still possesses a certain charm that these overblown American comedies cannot hope to achieve. All the series regulars are here. Reg Varney, Doris Hare, Anna Karen,Bob Grant and Stephen Lewis. While they were all charming, Michael Robbins stands out for me because his comic timing was impeccable. For example, he would sit there reading the paper and suddenly he would look up and utter something amusing.

So what if this movie is non to pc and treats women as objects of lust. There are people who will hate this, moan about it, analyze and deconstruct it. IT'S A MOVIE!! If you don't like it don't watch it. Admittedly it is not to everyones taste but these will be the people who are too young to remember the series or the times. For the rest of us who do remember, we look back with nostalgia, see the old cars, advertisements the way people behaved and we smile. Harmless fun that does no one any harm. There is far worse on the screens now days, movies where every second word is a swear word, bullets flying, on screen sex. sometimes it's a breath of fresh air to see something that is a little different from a bygone age.

On the Buses, a top rating comedy spin off from the '70s and an extrapolation of the kitchen sink gritty films, about the reality of working class life, such as Saturday Night, Sunday Morninging (1960), is today viewed as outdated, especially for being in-politically correct in its view and portrayal of women. And although this is unacceptable, and offencive, it is nevertheless the reality of the condition of women, and their lives even today. The difference is that political correctness, whilst necessary, dose in fact conceal the actual reality of women's lives, which are, especially among the working class, largely unchanged. You might see women performing what are traditionally men's jobs; but this is only done where there is a shortage of working men, prepared to put up with the lower pay their female counterparts readily accept. This is seen in On The Buses. In being willing to accept the lower wage for a job traditionally done by a man, becomes a threat to the existing male workforce. As a consequence, the women have to put up with sexual harassment, and bullying - here seen in this film in the form of school-boy pranks played on women work colleagues by the male workers. Likewise women of today, and those in particular in the workplace still have to put up with this type of treatment from their male colleagues, because they represent a threat to them. Therefore, as it is a portrayal of the reality of the condition of women's lives in Britain, then I think this film deserves credit, especially in turning what is essentially tragedy into comedy. By doing this, the film producers and director of On the Buses are able to spread the reality of the conditions of women's lives to a wider audience.

On the buses was a series that you either loved or hated, this movie, that keeps the original cast is no exception to this. It is basically more of the same. Stan and Jack are up to their usual capers, when Blakey decides to employ women drivers. Not standing for it the Boys all club together and make sure that the women Drivers can't succeed. OK its dated, and it's sexist, but trust me if you liked the original series, this and the other two feature films are great fun, and packed with cheap laughs and innuendo. If you've never seen the series or you simply didn't like it, then leave these alone, if not then you'll agree with me, and just enjoy it. 8/10