Traveling by coach is a great time to catch up on films and books. Long journeys can be an opportunity to take along films that are still on our “to watch” lists.
If you don’t have such a list yet, don’t worry – we suggest some great films in which the theme of travel (including bus travel!) plays a significant role. Thanks to these productions, you will not only get inspired for your own travels, but also make your time spent on the road more pleasant.
Bus themed movies
Buses appear on the silver screen quite often, and in some Hollywood productions they are even the main motif or setting. Do you remember any films in which a bus plays a key role? If not, here are our suggestions.
- Speed
The film was a blockbuster hit in the 90s and launched the careers of Keanu Reeves and Sandra Bullock. While it may not be the best choice for watching on the bus (due to its emotional plot), it is certainly gripping. The plot revolves around a terrorist who informs the authorities that a bomb has been planted on a bus. The bus cannot slow down below 50 miles per hour. The film is worth watching, although it may be a bit too intense for travel.
2. Paterson
A film about an ordinary city bus driver who hides a poetic soul. After finishing work, he describes the reality around him in an extremely engaging way. He loves his crazy wife, whose ideas are as eccentric as she herself. It is a beautiful story about the simplicity of life, peace of mind and finding poetry in everyday things. The perfect film for a relaxing journey.
3. Into The Wild
The film tells the story of a young man who searches for the meaning of life, hitchhiking across the United States. His ultimate destination is Alaska, where he wants to spend time away from civilization. He ends up on the “Magic Bus“, which becomes the place where he ends his adventure. The film, based on a true story, shows the tragic end of the hero’s journey, and the “Magic Bus” itself has become a place of pilgrimage for fans of this story.
4. The Last Bus
Although the film had its world premiere a few years ago, its Polish premiere will take place at the end of March. The story of an elderly man who travels across the country using local buses is a beautiful road story. The film is moving, full of reflection, and the journey itself is a great opportunity to immerse yourself in deeper thoughts about life.
Books with a bus theme
Although trains appear much more often in literature, there are also a few books in which the bus plays a significant role. These are also worth taking with you on a trip, so that you can immerse yourself in another world during the coach ride.
- John Steinbeck – The Wayward Bus
Steinbeck, one of our favorite authors, in this novel depicts a journey through California, of course on board buses. Although the subject may seem uninteresting, Steinbeck masterfully creates characters that engage us emotionally, and the novel itself makes us reflect on our attitude to life and the future.
2. Giampiero Rigosi – Notturno Bus
Francesco is a bus driver, but his real life is a gamble that draws him into an extraordinary story. It is a light and funny read, perfect for a long bus journey. The action of the book is dynamic, a lot happens, and the author has a great sense of humor, although it can be quite simple at times.
3. Jacques Jouet – My beautiful bus
The book, which is just over a hundred pages long, is incredibly absorbing. It can be read in one bus trip, but it is so interesting that it is worth being careful to get off at the right stop. It tells the story of a bus journey from the east to the west of France, and the protagonist, a driver named Basile, appears out of the blue. We learn about his character and his workplace, the bus itself.
Share your suggestions with us!
Which of our recommended books is your favorite? Do you know any other movies or books that feature a bus? What movies and books do you take with you on your travels? Share your opinions with us on our Facebook and Instagram profiles.
We wish you a successful screening and pleasant reading on the bus!
