Performance & Direction: On the Buses Review
Last updated: January 22, 2026
Quick Verdict: Hit or Flop?
Is On the Buses (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 Comedy.
Cast Performances: A Masterclass
The success of any Comedy is often anchored by its ensemble, and On the Buses features a noteworthy lineup led by Reg Varney . Supported by the likes of Doris Hare and Michael Robbins , the performances bring a palpable realism to the scripted words.
Performance Analysis: While the cast delivers competent and professional performances, they are occasionally hampered by a script that leans into familiar archetypes.
Final Verdict: Is it Worth Watching?
In summary, our editorial assessment of On the Buses (1971) is mixed. With an audience rating of 6.3/10, it stands as a highly recommended experience for genre enthusiasts.
Story & Plot Summary: On the Buses
Quick Plot Summary: On the Buses is a Comedy film that brings laughter through sharp writing and comedic timing, providing amusement while touching on deeper societal themes. This summary provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict and narrative structure.
Ending Explained: On the Buses
Ending Breakdown: On the Buses concludes its story with a mix of closure and open interpretation. The finale presents its approach to comedy resolution.
The conclusion addresses the core thematic questions, offering viewers material for post-viewing discussion.
Ending Analysis:
- Narrative Resolution: The story concludes by addressing its primary narrative threads, providing closure while maintaining some ambiguity.
- Character Arcs: Character journeys reach their narrative endpoints, reflecting the film's thematic priorities.
- Thematic Payoff: The ending reinforces the comedy themes established throughout the runtime.
The final moments of On the Buses reflect the filmmakers' creative choices, offering an ending that aligns with the film's tone and style.
Who Should Watch On the Buses?
Worth Watching If You:
- Enjoy Comedy films and don't mind familiar tropes
- Are a fan of the cast or director
- Want some laughs and light entertainment
Top Cast: On the Buses
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Where to Watch On the Buses Online?
Streaming Hub📺 Stream on
NetflixOn the Buses Parents Guide & Age Rating
1971 AdvisoryWondering about On the Buses age rating or if it's safe for kids? Here is our cinematic advisory:
⏱️ Runtime & Duration
The total runtime of On the Buses is 88 minutes (1h 28m). Ensuring you have enough time for the full cinematic experience.
Final Verdict
Analyzing the audience sentiment, IMDb rating of 6.3/10, and global collection metrics, On the Buses stands as a challenging project for the creators. It remains an essential piece of the 1971 cinematic year.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is On the Buses worth watching?
On the Buses is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Comedy 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 On the Buses parents guide and age rating?
The official parents guide for On the Buses identifies it as Not Rated. Our detailed advisory section above covers all content warnings for families.
What is the total runtime of On the Buses?
The total duration of On the Buses is 88 minutes, which is approximately 1h 28m long.
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Critic Reviews for On the Buses
Enjoyable, even if it is undeniably sexist. I remember discovering the television series of 'On the Buses' when I was younger, via my grandparents, and loving it - admittedly at an age of not fully understanding the humour et al. I do remember watching this just about. It's amusing, nothing laugh-out-loud worthy but it's suitably entertaining. Reg Varney, Bob Grant and Stephen Lewis are a very good trio. Lewis' Blakey is arguably the good guy, despite being portrayed as the antagonist - especially in this plot, given he's the supporter of women bus drivers. I gotta say, Grant's Jack is incredibly creepy. The things you don't notice as a kid, eh? It does have charm, helped by it giving a nice exterior snapshot of 1960s/70s England and the buses of the time. The film, and series, is always most enjoyable - at least to me - when they are out on the road with the buses. Obviously misogynistic and all rather dumb, but there are things it does reasonably well.
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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.
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