Today, Union Pictures is releasing Donald Shebib’s iconic 1970 Canadian classic Goin’ Down the Road and the recent sequel, Down the Road Again on Blu-ray & DVD.  Pete (Doug McGrath) and Joey (Paul Bradley) are two young Maritimers travelling from Nova Scotia to try and get work in Toronto, finding a city very different from their big dreams.  A definitive Canadian film, this is a powerful time capsule of Toronto in the early 1970s.

Premiering last year at the Toronto International Film Festival, Down the Road Again takes place some forty years after the original film.  Pete now has plans for a quiet retirement, until he gets the belongings of his friend Joey and the instructions to bring his ashes back to Toronto.  A worthy conclusion to a true Canadian classic, both films come recommended.

The Blu-ray includes audio commentary with director Donald Shebib on both films, a featurette on the restoration of the 1970 classic and another on the making of the sequel, and the classic SCTV parody.

Goin’ Down the Road is 88 minutes and rated PG.  Down the Road Again is 84 minutes and rated PG.

-John C.