Project Detail

American: The Bill Hicks Story

Synopsis

'At last, the true life story of the outlaw comic who tried to save the world. He still might.'

Bill Hicks is considered by many to be the greatest comedian of the last 20 years, ironic given his anonymity in his native America. He was a preacher, a philosopher, a raging prophet who believed he could save his audience by confronting them with truth - and dick jokes. He was considered criminally unpatriotic at home for skewering the hypocrisies of the government, media and organised religion, but he broke out internationally and stunned UK audiences made him a star.

Just as he was on the verge of conquering the USA, he was diagnosed with late-stage pancreatic cancer. He was 32 years old.

15 years after his death, his popularity continues to grow, his CD's and DVDs selling more than ever and Bill himself regularly rated in 'best of' lists. Now, for the first time, his fascinating and ultimately uplifting life story is told by those that knew him best. Made in close association with Bill’s family and friends, it features unprecedented access to unseen archive material and a stunning new animation technique throughout.

American: The Bill Hicks Story is the definitive record of one of America's most iconic modern heroes - a fearless voice as relevant today as ever.

Details

Year
2009
Type of project
Features
Running time
115 mins
Format
HD 1080P
Director
Matt Harlock, Paul Thomas 1st Feature
Producer
Matt Harlock, Paul Thomas
Editor
Paul Thomas
Director of Photography
Paul Thomas
Composer
Bill Hicks, Marblehead Johnson and various
Principal cast
Mary Hicks, Steve Hicks, Lynn Hicks, Kevin Booth, Dwight Slade, David Johndrow, James Ladmirault, John Farneti, Andy Huggins, Steve Epstein

Genre

Production Status

Production Company

Halflife Films/Jackamo TV

c/o American The Movie Ltd
Suite 2, The Lawn, Ealing Green
London W5 5ER
UK

T +44 (0)20 8567 4104

Page updates

This page was last updated on 12th May 2025. Please let us know if we need to make any amendments or request edit access by clicking below.

See also

You may also be interested in other relevant projects in the database.

Jack Slack and Rhino Fight Bedlam

Director: Jon Shaikh

Year: 2027

1750, Bedlam The worst place on Earth. Jack Slack, a bare knuckle carnival boxer, consumed with rage, fights his way in to the pits of hell to rescue his sister, Sarah from a lifetime of incarceration. Soon trapped and imprisoned himself, his rage and skill at fighting are noticed and he is singled out by the masters of the hospital for a special course of treatment. Meanwhile, Jack still has a plan, if he can only keep the madness at bay.

woman and man on a motorbike Aman

Director: Rahul Roye

Year: 2026

Preparing for gender-affirming surgery, a trans man discovers he is pregnant, forcing a profound reckoning with identity, masculinity, and fatherhood. Official Selection Toronto International Film Festival 2026 - Short Cuts Official Selection BFI London Film Festival 2026 - Competition

Ellie Jim & Adam Pearson Zero Intention of Living Quietly

Director: Edward Lovelace

Year: 2026

Defined for much of his life by other people's perceptions of his visible difference, actor Adam Pearson finds a new sense of possibility when he meets Ellie, a teenage girl living with the same genetic condition. As their unlikely friendship inspires Adam to confront the rules he's built to protect himself, he returns to the big screen and discovers that the hero he's been searching for may be himself. Official Selection Telluride Film Festival 2026 Official Selection BFI London Film Festival 2026