Behind the Scenes of Road to Destruction

Before filming the scene in which the Sullivans drove to their destination, the local highway department had painted the gravel roads in the countryside to prevent dust, but the result was self-defeating. In order to present a realistic rural effect, some crew members had to squat in the back of a classic car to artificially create dust during the official filming. Director Sam Mendes made a cameo appearance as Rooney's bodyguard in a rainy firefight near the end. When filming the scene where Sullivan drives into Chicago, the crew used 120 classic cars. The diner where Tom Hanks and Jude Law met was purchased online by production designer Dennis Gessner for $20,000. Jude Law didn't like the way he looked in the film and insisted on wearing his hat whenever filming stopped. To film the bank robbery scene, 13-year-old Tyler Hoechlin had to learn to drive. The submachine gun used by Sullivan was a Thompson M1921. Because Frank Netty was a smoker in the film, Stanley Tucci, who played him, had to smoke 80 cigarettes in one day. The piano music played by Rooney and Sullivan in the film was played by Paul Newman and Tom Hanks. Maguire is based on Arthur Fellig, a crime scene photographer from the 1920s and 1930s who was authorized to use a radio scanner that could listen to police and fire department calls. Radio calls, so we can always arrive at the scene as soon as possible. His photos frequently appeared in local tabloids, and the photo on the wall of Maguire's home in the film features one of Filig's works. The film was the last film shot by cinematographer Conrad Hull. The film is the last theatrical feature film starring Paul Newman.