One of the 1990s’ great tragedies is Bill Hicks cruelly early demise in '94 of pancreatic cancer at the age of 32.

A comedian unafraid of confronting audiences with brazen humanism and fierce political debate, while advocating the joys of hallucinogenics and hardcore porn, Hicks was a comedian unwilling to sell-out.

This ultimately made him a stranger in his own land, although he enjoyed massive fan base popularity in the UK, playing 800+ seat theatres.

Almost two decades after his death Hicks receives feature film treatment (documentary not fiction), directors Harlock and Thomas wisely realising that no-one can recreate what made Hicks tick other than the man himself.

Using archival footage and photos under a running commentary from most key players in the comedian’s life, American: The Bill Hicks Story brings the funny man back to life for 107 wonderful minutes.

Fans are unlikely to find any hitherto unknown revelations, the film covering the precocious early days when Hicks wowed adult audiences (and comedians) in local clubs, the disillusionment and battles with the bottle as he shaped his stage persona, and the final flurry of activity when given six months to live.

But, unseen home video footage and candid descriptions of the man by those close to him make the film essential to Hicks-heads, while newbies are provided with choice cuts from classic routines to explain why people remain so devoted so many years later.

What’s missing is analysis of Hicks’ legacy; his CDs sell in increasing volumes and YouTube boasts practically ever performance caught on video.

Moreover, he remains remarkably relevant: his merciless dissection of Bush, Snr’s 1991 Iraq adventure skewers Bush, Jr’s 2003 debacle, and a priceless routine on zero-talented fame-hungry pop stars only needs the names changing, the jokes remain the same.

Also of interest would have been dissenting contribution from Hicks’ critics, and pretenders to Hicks’ throne (Denis Leary) are likewise kept offscreen.

But, in an age when fame rather than achievement is held up as a virtue and politicos feed at the trough of big business, this is a much-needed reminder that the good guys never truly die.

Rob Daniel