Bill Hicks: Revelations (1993)

Genre: Comedy

Directed by: Chris Bould

Cast: Bill Hicks

Running time: 56 minutes

From the moment Bill Hicks walked on the stage of the Dominion Theatre, in London, for his Revelations comedy special, you could tell what he was all about. With a long coat and a black hat, Jimi Hendrix blaring on the speakers, you knew you were dealing with a badass and a rebel. And that is exactly what the late comic was. You can ask Denis Leary how great Bill Hicks’ material was.

In Revelations, Hicks dealt with religion, drugs, music and many other things, and he did with his usual corrosive style. After all, as he said: “I don’t mean to sound bitter, cold, or cruel, but I am, so that’s how it comes out.

The material in this show is very solid. I found myself agreeing with Hicks on many topics. The late comedian would tend to derail himself a bit by going into long sound effects with his mouth stuck to the microphone, which would get a little tedious after a while, but, when he would bring his comedy train back on track, he had me laughing again.

Overall, a very funny show and a nice introduction to the genius of Bill Hicks, a man who never played by the rules. Revelations is not your typical chuckle-fest; it challenges the viewer. It is well worth it, if you are up to it.

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