The Canadian film The Stunt Driver tells the remarkable true story of Ken Carter, a daredevil whose relentless pursuit of fame led him to attempt one of the most ambitious stunts in North American history. Known as "The Mad Canadian," Carter spent decades performing increasingly dangerous feats before setting his sights on a jump that many believed was impossible: launching a rocket-powered car across the Saint Lawrence River from Canada into the United States.

Born in Montreal, Carter developed a passion for speed and spectacle at a young age. In the 1960s and 1970s, he had established himself as one of Canada's most recognizable stunt performers, touring fairs and exhibitions with car jumps, crashes, and motorcycle stunts. Inspired by the success of celebrity daredevils such as Evel Knievel, Carter dreamed of pulling off a stunt so extraordinary that it would secure his place in history.

That dream became known as the Saint Lawrence Seaway jump. Carter assembled a team of engineers and promoters to build a rocket-powered vehicle capable of clearing more than a mile of water between Canada and the United States. The project consumed years of planning and preparation, attracting widespread media attention and the interest of the National Film Board of Canada, which documented the effort. As costs mounted and technical setbacks threatened the stunt, Carter's determination only intensified. ~Megan Parsons

On September 5, 1975, thousands gathered near the Saint Lawrence River to witness the jump. Moments after takeoff, however, the rocket car became unstable. Its parachute deployed prematurely, causing the vehicle to lose momentum and plunge into the river far short of its intended destination. Carter survived the crash with relatively minor injuries, but his dream of becoming an international superstar was left unfulfilled. The failed stunt nevertheless became one of the most famous episodes in Canadian daredevil history.

Carter's story gained renewed attention through the acclaimed 1981 documentary The Devil at Your Heels, which chronicled the preparation and aftermath of the Saint Lawrence Seaway jump. The film introduced new audiences to Carter's larger-than-life personality and his unwavering belief that success was always just one stunt away. Over time, the documentary became a cult classic and helped preserve his legacy as one of Canada's most memorable risk-takers.

More than 50 years after the jump, Carter's life is being brought to the screen in The Stunt Driver, directed by Michael Dowse and starring Jay Baruchel as the legendary stuntman. The film revisits Carter's quest to achieve the impossible, exploring the ambition, obsession, and personal sacrifices behind one of the most daring stunts ever attempted.