The convicts escape again a year later, for good this time, but either sincerely do reform or make a habit of pulling a short-term escape and helping whoever the shopkeeper is every Christmas (Felix likely inherits the Trochard fortune and returns to France).
The second film is a Stealth Sequel rather than a remake and the suspicious and stiff-necked French-Canadian bishop is a relative of Andre who joined the clergy and immigrated rather than go into business.
