paulgeaf I never claimed to be any movie reviewer, I just like to come and comment after I watch a film and if someone reads it, they read it. All I try to do I suppose is convey something of what that movie made me feel. I have to say that this movie is probably one of the most difficult ones I have ever tried to comment on. It is hard to know where to begin. Obviously, the plot is simple (I know it is a real documentary! Don't misunderstand me using the word plot), there is a young guy on a bus with some innocent people and he is holding them at gunpoint. they are his hostages and he quickly lets it be known that he is in control here. Everyone's fate is in his hands.That lays out a taste of what you are in for when you sit down to this, right at the beginning you are sucked in and are listening to his words, wondering why and what makes a man come to a situation like that.The great thing about this film is that the creators didn't miss this. they spend a lot of time showing us why. Trying to uncover the multitude of reasons why a man would find himself in a situation like this. it makes for a fascinating yet harrowing story.What starts off as a mad shooting incident then becomes a different kind of film. a study, a documentary in the proper sense. a documentary of some poor guys non life. Before I get accused of sympathising with the guy as if he was innocent, don't think that. It is just interesting to learn, like when you watch this, that there is always a few more layers to a story than you might ever think!I cannot recommend this film enough and gave it 9 stars!This is about humanity and emotions and cruelty and greed.It is about us all.Watch it!

bubsy-3 Bus 174 is one of the best Documentaries I have ever seen. It is also one of the best "thrillers" I have ever seen.It is the true story of young man who holds those on a bus hostage. Because the television media were at the scene, a major part of the movie is televised live footage of the hijacker and his hostages on the bus. It is riveting to watch. However, in addition, comments from those who knew the hijacker as a child and teenager are included, as well as comments from the police and hostage negotiating team. Also included is footage of the hijacker and his "associates" interviewed earlier in his life.Bus 174 has us asking several questions about the resources available to the poor in Brazil, about the training (or lack of training might be more accurate) of the police and hostage negotiators, about the lack of communication between those involved.But most importantly, this movie is about "S", a real person who we gain a real understanding about. The movie dwells a bit too long on "written history" and while the bus footage is riveting, it may go on too long in the second hour.Since so many television crews were shooting footage, I tend to think that more graphic footage may exist of some of the scenes that those who made the film chose not to use. But this movie was an edge of seat thriller. A chilling documentary of a real life event. I kept wondering how I would have reacted if I were on that bus. And I kept seeing "S" as those on the bus did, a scared young man who only truly wanted to get out alive and not kill anyone. It's ashamed that the police didn't see him that way.

Chris Hughes ....shouts Sandro, the central character, to the voyeuristic TV cameras, as his real-life predicament spirals towards its tragic and brutal denouement.And he's right - this film is far more compelling and dramatic than any Hollywood product - also far more poignant and touching.Director Padhila shows extraordinary skill in building the story to an unforgettable climax. When I watched this movie at a Manchester cinema, there were only 30 or so people in the theatre - but the silence at the close of the film was astonishing. The entire audience walked out in stunned speechlessness.If you were impressed by "City of God", check out this slice of real life from Rio de Janiero - a world-class piece of documentary-making, and a stinging indictment of the divisions that scar Brazilian society.

jj112399 I watched this on IFC last night, I came in towards the middle, this film was so compelling, my heart was racing, I was glued! The high level of anticipation is unreal in any film I've ever watched. I am continually stunned at how people are living in other countries and what they go through, these people were just on their way to work and school and were fighting and pleading for their lives in the end. I kept asking myself, "could this happen in the US' and would our police have allowed it to have gone on so long. I pray that a sharpshooter here would have taken him out. I highly recommend this film, I can't call it a movie, it's a wrenching look at an evil moment in human history.