Watch The White Bus

The White Bus is a British film from 1967 that explores the mundanity and loneliness of modern life by following the journey of a young woman named Penny taking a day trip on a white bus. The film is directed by Lindsay Anderson and written by Shelagh Delaney. Penny, played by Patricia Healey, is a secretary working for a Manchester-based engineering firm who takes the day off to explore the city of Liverpool. The film is shot largely in black and white and showcases the stark industrial landscapes of both cities. Penny's journey on the white bus takes her through a series of surreal and sometimes disturbing encounters with various strangers she meets along the way.

From the outset, there is a sense of detachment and dislocation in the way that the film is shot. The camera frequently lingers on the faces of strangers without any contextual information, giving a sense of voyeurism and alienation. This is accentuated by the score, which is a combination of dissonant strings and experimental jazz.

As the bus moves through various landscapes, Penny encounters a cast of strange and often eccentric characters. She meets an old man (played by Arthur Lowe) who is obsessed with the past and the idea of time, a young man who thinks he is a pop star, a woman who has no sense of smell, and a couple who insist on discussing topics like political assassination and the end of the world.

At the same time, Penny appears to be struggling with her own sense of identity and place in the world. She is haunted by memories of her mother, who died when she was young, and has a sense of being adrift and alone. The film hints at a kind of existential crisis that is never fully explained but adds to the overall sense of unease.

The White Bus is a film that defies easy categorization. It is part social commentary, part surrealist fantasy, and part meditation on the human condition. It is a film that requires its viewer to be patient and willing to engage with its unconventional approach. Its themes of alienation, dislocation, and the search for meaning are as relevant today as they were when the film was made over 50 years ago.

The performances in the film are uniformly strong, with Patricia Healey giving a nuanced and understated performance as Penny. The supporting cast are also impressive, with Arthur Lowe's portrayal of the nostalgic old man being a particular standout.

One interesting aspect of The White Bus is the way that it blends fact and fiction. The film was partly inspired by a real-life event in which a white bus was chartered to take a group of executives on a symbolic journey around Liverpool. Anderson and Delaney took this concept and expanded it into a surrealist exploration of modern life.

Despite its unconventional approach and its lack of a traditional narrative structure, The White Bus is a film that rewards the viewer who is willing to engage with its themes and imagery. It is a haunting and thought-provoking work that lingers in the mind long after the credits have rolled.

In conclusion, The White Bus is a film that deserves to be better known. It is an overlooked gem from a time when British cinema was at its most daring and inventive. Lindsay Anderson's direction, Shelagh Delaney's script, and the excellent performances from the cast make it a film that is both challenging and rewarding. It is a film that deserves to be seen by anyone interested in exploring the limits of what cinema can achieve.

The White Bus is a 1967 drama with a runtime of 46 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.4.