Down the Road Again revisits Canadian classic

Though made on a tiny budget in 1969, Don Shebib's film Goin' Down the Road made a big splash in Canada and abroad.

The tragic tale of two young men yearning to escape crushing poverty in the Maritimes by moving to big-city Toronto has become a Canadian cinema classic and is considered among the country's most influential films.

Upon its release in 1970, it was hailed for its gritty documentary-like style, honest performances and startling lack of a happy ending, as seen in Hollywood movies.

Now, four decades later, Shebib revisits the story, its characters and the memorable 1960 Chevy Impala in his sequel Down the Road Again, opening Friday in Vancouver, Toronto, Halifax and Sydney, N.S. This time he explores the theme of redemption.

"I think people who see the sequel will be intrigued [and] want to see the original one — almost as much as people who saw the original would want to see this one," the filmmaker told CBC News.