Filming Location
Red traveling with the Bus

Red, portrayed by Morgan Freeman, is seen introspectively looking out of the bus window, with the landscape rushing past him, symbolizing his journey towards freedom and hope. The film captures the picturesque landscape of Bellville, located in the heartland of Ohio, USA. To get the exact coordinates of this iconic scene, use the map pin icon in the navigation.

“I find I am so excited I can barely sit still or hold a thought in my head. I think it is the excitement only a free man can feel, a free man at the start of a long journey whose conclusion is uncertain. I hope I can make it across the border. I hope to see my friend and shake his hand. I hope the Pacific is as blue as it has been in my dreams. I hope.”

Ellis Boyd ‘Red’ Redding

Where was the Bus scene filmed?

Red’s journey to freedom was filmed on State Rte 95 NE, near Butler, Ohio, USA. The exact spot can be found shortly after the intersection of State Rte 95 NE and Butler Newville Rd, where the bus passes a distinctive red-painted barn. In the preceding scene, approximately 1,350 feet to the south on the same road, the bus is seen navigating a curve with Red poignantly looking out of the window.

More about Butler, Ohio

Butler, situated in Richland County, Ohio, was historically a significant Delaware Indian hunting ground known as Helltown. The village was originally called Independence before being renamed in the 1870s in honor of Mexican war hero, General William Butler. Significant events in its history include the infamous 1878 Bowersox Saloon murder and a tragic 1872 train collision. As of the 2020 census, the population stood at 941 residents. Butler falls under the Clear Fork Valley Local School District, with Butler Elementary School located within the village and other schools nearby in Bellville. Additionally, the village boasts a branch of the Mansfield–Richland County Public Library.

Scenes filmed outside of Butler

Red’s Reflective Bus Ride
Red is seated inside a Trailways bus, gazing intently out of the window. The outside world unfurls with the bus following a curving road, showcasing expansive landscapes that stretch to the horizon. As the scenery passes by, Red’s deep contemplation reveals his feelings of newfound freedom, excitement for the uncertain journey ahead, and the challenges of containing such overwhelming emotions.

The Bus Passes the Red Barn
The camera’s focus shifts, offering a new view of the bus’s route. The bus moves past a vivid red barn and its adjacent house, both set amidst a picturesque rural backdrop. As the landscape flows, Red’s internal monologue conveys his hopeful aspirations about crossing borders, reuniting with a dear friend, and seeing the vivid blues of the Pacific just as he’s always imagined.