An excellent 1 hour feature on the making of the film was made (which means we have a guaranteed DVD Extra?). Cleverly, it is structured around the original author (Georges-Hébert Germain) in conversation with the screenwriter (Luc Dionne). This office based discussion, which follows the film chronologically, is interspersed with Georges-Hébert’s interviews on location with various members of the cast and crew (including, inexplicably, no fewer than three props people engaged in rolling Gaston’s cigarettes).

Luc Dionne tells an anecdote about Roy, just after he had first read the script. He wanted a particular addition at the time that Gerald and Monica get together. He wanted Gerald to say, “I’m prepared to work with you but I’ll NEVER give myself up. If I have to take hostages, I’ll take hostages. If I have to kill people, I’ll kill people. But I’ll never give myself up.” At that point Luc said that he realised Roy knew the character better than he did.

Georges-Hébert’s discussion with Roy continues exploring the character’s motivation. Gerald is one of the most wanted men in Canada, yet he hides out in Montreal. For a 10 dollar bet, he even went up to a policeman on Main Street and asked him for a light. Roy reckons he understands he’s on borrowed time, and that’s why he burns the candle at both ends, making the most of the time he has. But the main inspiration was the knowledge that Gerald kills himself when he’s eventually caught (the film doesn’t get to that stage.) “That’s what gives the character all its ‘drive’. It’s pretty unusual, a guy who decides that no, he won’t go back inside. That he’ll kill himself instead. It says a lot about him.”

As well as some interesting pictures of the shoot, there are a couple of particularly entertaining candid shots of Roy. One which lasts only a few seconds has the camera catching him licking his fingers while eating something out of a polystyrene cup. He realises he’s in shot at the precise moment his thumb is deep in his mouth. A few frames have him looking rather stunned, then he realises he’s busted and gradually smiles into the camera, turning his head to complete the laugh. The tribulations of celebrity!

Another lasts much longer. Roy is in the front of the car with Céline’s male stunt double. Roy starts the joke by reaching over and saying to camera , “Monica is really a guy.” Then make-up come along to apply pink lip-gloss, saying that it’s Roy’s idea. Someone suggests that it’s important because it’s not a black and white film. ‘Monica’ gets all pouty for the camera and this is where Roy totally loses it.. Check the <<sound file>> supplied to pick up the authenticity of the belly-laugh. Roy says, “You wanted to be a fucking stuntman,” to which the stuntman replies, “He’s so refined, my friend Roy.” Great stuff.

Céline’s stunt double and Roy share an intimate moment

The “Making of” camera catches Roy at lunch

Heavy rain disrupted some of the filming