Smokey and the Bandit Review

Smokey and the Bandit

Release Date: 25th August 1977 - Australia

Production Companies

Universal Pictures

Rastar Pictures

Distribution

Universal Pictures Australia

Genre: Action/Comedy

Rating: M

Runtime: 96 minutes

Budget: $4,300,000

Box Office Gross: $300,000,000 (Worldwide)

Plot Summary
Two truck-driving southerners, Bandit and Cledus, are hired by Big Enos to pick up a shipment of beer in Texas that is illegal in the Mississippi River and bring it to Georgia within 28 hours. The Bandit has even picked up a hitchhiker named Carrie, who happens to be a runaway bride. Sheriff Buford T. Justice is out to get her for not marrying his son. Thus, a high-speed chase with the Bandit has just begun.

Cast

Burt Reynolds - Bo "Bandit"

Darville

Sally Field - Carrie

Jerry Reed - Cledus

Mike Henry - Junior

Paul Williams - Little Enos

Pat McCormick - Big Enos
George Reynolds - Branford
Macon McCalman - Mr. B
Linda McClure - Waynette
Susie Ewing - Hot Pants
Laura Lizer Sommers - Little Beaver

Michael Mann - Branford's Deputy

Lamar Jackson - Sugar Bear

Ronnie Gay - Georgia Trooper

Quinnon Sheffield - Alabama Trooper

Jackie Gleason - Sheriff Buford T. Justice of Portague County

Crew

Story/Director - Hal Needham

Story/Executive Producer - Robert L. Levy
Screenplay - James Lee Barrett, Charles Shyer and Alan Mandel
Producers - Mort Engleberg and Jules V. Levy (Uncredited)
Art Director - Mark W. Mansbridge

Set Decorations - Tony Montenaro

Director of Photography - Bobby Bryne

Director of Photography: Second Unit -

George Boulliet and Robert C. Jessup

Second Unit Director - Alan Gibbs
Stunt Coordinator - Stan Barrett

(Uncredited)
Special Effects - Arthur Brewer
Film Editors - Walter Hannemann

and Angelo Ross

Sound Editor - Anthony Magro

Sound - John Speak and Ray West
Music - Bill Justis

Music/Writer/Singer: Songs - Jerry Reed


Awards

1978 Academy Awards
Best Film Editing - Walter Hannemann and Angelo Ross (Nominated)

Review

I watched SMOKEY AND THE BANDIT on Netflix as it was an ongoing tribute to the late actor Burt Reynolds in the wake of his untimely death. Released in 1977 when Star Wars held the #1 spot at the box office, BANDIT is the second highest-grossing film of that year. However, the movie has several classic high-speed car chases and is energetic and hilarious. The plot has no importance whatsoever. The feature's popularity may have inspired the TV show Dukes of Hazzard, which has the old-fashioned car chases that BANDIT has.

The performances are great with actors like Burt Reynolds, Sally Field, Jerry Reed and Jackie Gleason. I dare say Burt is wild, more irresistible than ever and has the top billing over the other actors. Gleason is fun to watch when he plays the elderly Sheriff Buford, who wants to catch the Bandit and has no luck getting him. Sally Field is attractive as the runaway bride. Jerry Reed plays the trucker. As a funny ensemble, these legendary actors (except for Jerry Reed) would do much bigger and better things.

SMOKEY AND THE BANDIT may seem like an ordinary, average movie, but its popularity 41 years later shows its value. And people like escapism and the idea of running away from it all, which is captured perfectly in Hal Needham's fun flick.

Star rating: (8/10) Very Good Movie

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