User Reviews

After waiting 2 years to view the final cut, i must say, that wait was Entirely worth it. Who knew, that after purchasing an obviously dubiously maintained, 40+ year-old, air-cooled VW bus on the internet, sight unseen, for less than $800 ( wait. What ?!?! ) and attempting to drive said conveyance half-way across the country on old U.S. Route 66, without even marginal previous mechanical aptitude, that the end result would be a wonderful and bonding experience for three CA college buddies; regardless that this adventure would be considered without any modern creature comforts such as air-conditioning, at least a marginally working heater, adjustable seats ( or even proper seat padding ), CD or DVD player, ABS brakes (-ha!- ), power steering ( or power Anything ! ), etc., etc. etc. ,,, you get the idea. Not bloody Likely, one might imagine. Amazingly enough, Dave was able to convince Charlie and Ryan that this was a "Great road trip documentary idea'. Never mind the challenging 'issues' which presented themselves on virtually every day of the voyage, and the continuing detective work to determine how the trip could even continue. And, after eventually abandoning all hope at a roadside 66 motel in Tucumcari, NM for 4 years, that they would return to the chaotic demise of the aptly named Croc bus and continue on, is nothing short of pure cojones, amigo's y amiga's ! If you enjoy drama, comedy, adventuring day-by-day relying on the kindness of strangers, and even a few moments of terror, then this is one film you will not want to miss.

I will admit that my opinion might be biased due to the fact that I got the opportunity to meet these guys, get to know them over time and have come to call them friends. Put that aside and this is still a wonderful movie that you should make a point to see. I was also at the world premier of Circle The Wagen and any expectations I had for the movie were exceeded. Circle The Wagen starts with a desire but ends up telling the story of determination. From wide eyed, ready to take on the world and pursue the road ahead of you to beat down, near tears, frustration like you've never known, this movie gives the good, the bad, and the ugly all their 15 minutes of fame. Even when times got tough I felt my heart warm as I knew I'd been there before and I knew so many shared those moments too. That is what makes this community and that is exactly what these guys did a great job of documenting for the public to see. This movie chronicles an important part of life that some people never take the chance to act upon. Having a dream and making it happen no matter the cost. Even now I get a lump in my throat as I picture Dave, Charlie and The Croc crossing that bridge in California and pulling onto the pier. You made it! I know that feeling and so do so many other passionate people out there. Watch this movie to be inspired. Watch this movie to remember why you have those crazy friends who will go with you anywhere. Watch this movie and remember that "the kindness of strangers" is still out there waiting for you when you need it. Watch this movie and then go find those roads you've been always wanting to explore.

This movie is about a guy named Dave, living in New York at the time, but wanting to get back to his home in California. So, he turns to E-Bay and ends up with a 1972 Transporter DeLuxe for which he pays $787.00. The Bus is located in Des Moines, Iowa, so Dave goes to Iowa, picks up the Bus – which he appropriately names The Croc – and starts heading to L.A. Four breakdowns later, The Croc has made it to Tulsa where Dave's buddy Charlie joins him so they can make the rest of the trip together.

Don't ask me what they were thinking!! Or, if they were thinking at all! I mean, driving a 1972 VW Bus that only cost $795, across the country is asking for trouble, unless you are an expert VW mechanic and carry a load of spare parts with you. Needless to say, they don't get very far before trouble starts. But, hey, this is a Volkswagen and the VW community is known for helping out strangers who get stranded in the middle of nowhere. And this is where the movie starts for real – the first part is told in cartoon-fashion, which was kinda cute (and a good way of showing what happened before Ryan's camera arrived on the scene) and just about the right length.

After consulting with the online directory of folks offering help or other resources – Aircooled Interstate Rescue Squad; http://www.type2.com/rescue – Dave and Charlie meet up with several helpful VW enthusiasts in the Tulsa area and elsewhere along the way. After a late night wrenching session organized by the VW Club of Tulsa, our heroes are on their way again, following mostly Rte 66 and other back roads heading west. The Croc gets stranded in Tucumcari and Dave and Charlie decide to leave him there and head back to L.A. The poor Bus sits along the side of Rte 66 for four long years, but finally, Dave and Charlie return to Tucumcari to get the Bus back on the road. The helpful rescue squad from Tulsa drives out to meet Dave and Charlie in Tucumcari and on they go. Many of the Dubbers from Tulsa and Oklahoma City appear in the movie. This, of course, explains why so many of our Tulsa friends made it out to ABQ.

All the while, Ryan has stayed in the background, filming the adventures of The Croc, which ultimately led to this movie. I must say that Ryan did a great job editing the footage and come up with such a fun movie. I know from experience that these Buses have a tendency to elicit some choice curse words, yet none of those ended up in the movie.

This is a great movie and fun to watch. I'm glad me and my 71 Bus made it to the World Premiere in Albuquerque. Seeing Central Ave lined up with Buses from all around was, indeed, a very special sight to behold - if you don't't have a VW Bus, it's hard to explain the feeling. And when the sold-out Guild Theatre opened its doors, it felt like going to my first Grateful Dead concert, way back when. This is not a documentary as such. This is a fun movie about the misadventures of two guys and a Bus – and, what is most amazing, how a community of strangers rallied around this crazy idea and helped just because Dave and Charlie were driving a VW Bus.

My only question is: "What role did Charlie play?" Sure, he is a charismatic person, smoking his ever-present pipe even when Dave is trying to fix a fuel leak and getting drenched with gasoline, but other than pushing the Bus to a start a few times, his contribution appears to have been mostly "moral support."

Many times the small 100-seat Guild Theatre rocked with laughter or applause when another familiar face came on the screen. "Circle the Wagen" is bound to be a success: the first showing sold out within a few days after the World Premiere was announced and a second screening in the larger Lobo Theater down the street (which makes a brief appearance in the movie) had to be added. Robert Redford, one of the sponsors of the AFME asked for a copy, and on Sunday evening, Charlie and Ryan received the "Guerilla" award designed by Dennis Hopper! This award goes to the most anticipated film, the film that had the greatest presence/buzz at the AFME. Well done, guys! It may be a while before this movie comes to a regular theater near you, but we will try to get an early screening in the Kansas City area.