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https://www.facebook.com/Ken-THE-MAD-CANADIAN-Carter-210866445776100/?fref=ts Devil At Your Heels:Trees Pose a Definite Risk National Film Board of Canada
Reviewed by Magnus on May 25th, 2004
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 The Devil at Your Heels: Trees Pose a Definite Risk by Magnus It’s astounding the things you come across in a physics class. Powerful electromagnets, giant garage-door springs, a man absorbing uncanny amounts of electricity into his hand, even Chuck Mangione. However, none of these can compare to the rediscovery of the 1981 National Film Board feature Devil at Your Heels, a spectacular documentary about the life of Canadian daredevil Ken Carter and his quest to set a world record by jumping across the St. Lawrence river in a rocket-powered car. Yes, you heard me right. This man tried to jump a mile in a rocket car. The insight this film gives into the now-extinct world of stunt drivers and daredevils is astonishing. But what makes this one of the greatest documentaries of all time is a combination of the spectacle itself, Ken Carter himself and the way this film eerily resembles a Christopher Guest mockumentary (i.e. This Is Spinal Tap, Best in Show, Waiting for Guffman, A Mighty Wind). The main character in this feature is Montreal-born stunt driver and daredevil Ken Carter (née Kenneth Gordon Polsjek). Coming from a very poor family, Carter became a stunt driver at the age of 18 with only a Grade 4 education. When the film begins (around 1975) he has already established a steady career for himself jumping cars, taking his entourage all over North America. At this point in his career, however, his injuries (suffered from his numerous failed jumps) are taking longer and longer to heal, and he knows his days as a stunt driver are numbered. Hence, he wants to establish himself as the world’s greatest daredevil by setting a world record for the longest jump in a car. Carter, however, isn’t simply satisfied with breaking this record: he wants to shatter it by jumping a distance of one mile, over the St. Lawrence river at Morrisburg. This becomes his quest, his raison d’être, his career’s crowning glory. From there, the film follows his project through its successes and setbacks (which occur much more often). In order to make this jump, Carter needs a) a 100-foot high launch ramp, b) a rocket-powered car that can leave the ramp at 270 mph, c) lots of training (Carter has never driven a rocket-powered car), and d) lots of financial backing. Each component has its problems; the fuel tank keeps rupturing, the ramp construction is constantly slowed by rain, the sponsors get impatient and leave, etc etc. It takes five years before Carter even makes an attempt to complete the jump, before everything is in place. From the opening helicopter shot of the massive launch ramp, you will constantly be astounded by what this man is trying to do. It becomes easy to forget that this man is trying to fly a car at to an altitude of 300 or so feet and survive. Even Evel Knievel, who is sent by ABC’s Wide World of Sports to cover Carter’s jump labels it as poorly planned. unsafe and just plain ludicrous. Despite all his detractors, however, Ken remains bound and determined to see this through.  Now, you may be wondering why on earth I would compare this documentary to Spinal Tap. Well, allow me to give you a few examples of Ken’s antics which are guaranteed to split your sides (or at least make you wonder how messed up this guy’s head is). For Ken’s first ever trial run in a rocket-powered car, he borrows Lew Arrington’s car and all his safety equipment (including helmet, fire suit, etc.) The problem is, the car and fire suit are all custom fit for Arrington’s body, which is considerably slimmer than middle-aged, pot-bellied Ken—who doesn’t quite fit the car. The result: Ken takes a trial run in socks and a t-shirt, with no fire suit. Ken speaks about his multiple personalities: Ken Carter the showman/daredevil/maniac and Kenneth Gordon Polsjek, the promoter/organizer/calmer half. When he talks about how “the two are getting to know one another better” you can’t help but wonder. Ken’s new Hollywood backers stage his “training” for the jump so they can make a half-decent movie out of it. The result: Ken paddling around the Rideau Canal in a Kayak. Anyone who sees this will be reminded of moments such as “The dials on this amplifier go to 11—that’s…um…one more. ” (Spinal Tap) “I think the floral arrangement here poses a definite safety hazard. Look at those pointy sticks!” (A Mighty Wind). Carter and his entourage of stunt drivers, mechanics and promoters are sometimes just unbelievable— such as the two mechanics who are at a loss for words as to why their fuel tank keeps exploding. It’s priceless moments like these (and so many others) which help capture the atmosphere of this bizarre faction of North American 20 century culture (daredevils, I mean). It’s because of the sheer foolishness of guys like Carter that rocket cars were banned in the US in the early 1980s and daredevils have all but disappeared from the face of the earth (or at least from popular culture). It records the dangers and excitement of a profession that was common to rural North America 30 years ago, but today has vanished amidst our society’s shift towards personal safety. The Devil at your Heels gives insight into a fascinating and terrifying culture, and does so in such a humourous way that it clearly deserves to be ranked as one of the greatest documentaries of all time. I may appear to be gushing a little too much over this film, but I sincerely encourage you to get your hands on a copy (the Ottawa Public Library has at least one) and see for yourself the sheer incredulousness and humour of Ken Carter’s attempt to set a world record. Rating: ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ (5/5 infinities)  Addendum:
Ken Carter died tragically a year after this film was made.
While trying to jump a body of water at a stunt show he cleared the water by so much that he sailed into an empty grandstand and was killed instantly. Truly a tragic ending.
Also, just for kicks I nominated Ken Carter as the Greatest Canadian in
CBC’s shockingly pointless contest. I encourage you all to vote for him, should his name ever appear on TV.
Sources: Film Reviews
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Ken The Mad Canadian Carter's History
THE FILM
The late Ken Carter's long-time obsession to be the world's greatest
daredevil is the subject of this feature-length documentary. Seen are the
five years of preparation that went into raising one million dollars,
building a rocket-powered car, and constructing a ten-storey take-off
ramp for his attempt to jump a car across a mile-wide stretch of the
St. Lawrence River. A portrait of a stunt driver who made his living by
risking his life.
Also Featutring:
daredevil is the subject of this feature-length documentary. Seen are the
five years of preparation that went into raising one million dollars,
building a rocket-powered car, and constructing a ten-storey take-off
ramp for his attempt to jump a car across a mile-wide stretch of the
St. Lawrence River. A portrait of a stunt driver who made his living by
risking his life.
Also Featutring:
