Chowchilla

I'm surprised that the strange events of Chowchilla aren't more widely known and talked about, especially in this age of true crime obsession. The brief disappearance of a school bus full of children and its driver in this small California town has to be one of the most unusual occurrences I've ever heard about - stuff like this can't be invented. The sheer oddity of this story automatically makes it worth watching, and it can't help but be compelling, but the documentary itself isn't entirely successful. Whether by choice or necessity, we aren't provided with enough interviews by those who were directly involved, and we aren't provided enough backstory into the lives of the gentlemen behind the disappearance. Certain aspects of what happened are brought up and briefly discussed but not fully realized. I think particularly of a small controversy about the true "hero" behind their eventual escape. I realize there aren't always a lot of answers in bizarre circumstances such as these, but I think some deeper investigation and introspection could have made this more of a satisfying watch. I certainly think it should be seen, particularly by those unfamiliar with the crime, but it's not a wholly satisfying viewing experience. - Jeff Marshall,.