New Tragically Hip T.V. documentary series delivers brilliant storytelling

My earliest memory of Gord Downie and his band The Tragically Hip was when their song “Blow at High Dough” played in Rick Mercer’s comedy series Made in Canada.

Despite being late to the fandom, I still love their music and like learning more about these iconic Canadians from Kingston, Ont. After watching the new docuseries The Tragically Hip: No Dress Rehearsal, my respect for them only grew.

Directed by Downie’s brother Mike, the four-part documentary was released Sept. 20 on Amazon Prime Video. The story unpacks the Hip’s history from when they first met in the 1980s to their final concert in 2016. Expertly balancing new and old media, the series skillfully unravels the ups and downs of the band’s career, members’ friendship with Downie, and their personal lives.

The show looks and feels like an art gallery with its well-preserved film reels, T.V. appearances, and pictures of Downie and his band intercut with interviews from them, their friends, and family. It also does an excellent job covering the band’s highlights from their first record deal for their album Up to Here to being a musical guest on Saturday Night Live in 1995. 

The most exciting part of this archival collection is seeing old concert footage of the band performing at local and global venues. Shown in hazy black and white or as warmly coloured images, these set pieces convey how big the band’s careers rapidly became over time. 

The story also never loses sight of grounding Downie and his bandmates in unexpected ways. They’re having fun go-karting one moment, only for us to then find them waiting for their clothes to finish rinsing at a laundromat. They proudly show how incredible their musicianship is while sharing how normal their lives still were when hanging out together.

The documentary also depicted that while the band were friends, they had their tensions and low points. From shared grief to regretful absences from their families, the docuseries is brutally honest in telling how immensely complicated the band’s experiences were both on and off stage.

The series also reveals the harsh truths and real-life sacrifices of what it really takes to be a successful artist.

One thing that could’ve been included more in the show is further details about the time the Hip toured with Led Zeppelin legends Jimmy Page and Robert Plant, as well as The Rolling Stones. Additional footage or photos showing Downie hanging out with Page, Plant, or Mick Jagger would’ve been a welcomed chapter, but perhaps that’s a documentary for another time. 

The biggest loss experienced by the group was Downie’s passing in 2017. Interviews paired with CTV News reports of this tragic story still hit hard because of how shocking it was for the world to hear. You feel the unfathomable emotions of Downie’s bandmates after losing so many loved ones in the past already. 

At the same time, you can’t help but admire the Hip’s heartfelt resiliency in staying strong, whether it’s through honouring their fans with a final tour in 2016 or Downie’s advocacy work with Indigenous communities. 

As much a multimedia concert as it is a documentary, The Tragically Hip: No Dress Rehearsal is a worthwhile watch. With enjoyable moments and surprising stories, the series is a beautifully complex tale that will be loved by fans and newcomers alike.

It’s a simple yet compelling reminder that Downie eternally remains what generations of people have always known him to be — an inspiration.