Smokey and the Bandit

Released on: 27 May 1977 • Rated: PG • Runtime: 96 min

Genre: Action, Adventure, Comedy

Director: Hal Needham
Writer: Hal Needham, Robert L. Levy, James Lee Barrett
Actors: Burt Reynolds, Sally Field, Jerry Reed

Plot: The Bandit is hired on to run a tractor-trailer full of beer over state lines, in hot pursuit by a pesky sheriff.

Box Office Gross: $126,737,428

Awards: Nominated for 1 Oscar. 3 nominations total

Movie details, where to watch, and movie poster provided by TMDB, with permission.

Ratings

7/10

72%

3.6

Rollin’ Down the Highway with “Smokey and the Bandit”

Get ready to buckle up and hit the road with the 1977 classic, “Smokey and the Bandit.” This high-octane, laugh-a-minute film is a joyride from start to finish, and it’s about time we took a look under the hood to see what makes this movie tick.

Plot: A High-Speed Chase Across State Lines

The plot of “Smokey and the Bandit” is as straightforward as a drag race. Burt Reynolds plays the Bandit, a charismatic trucker who takes on a dare to haul a truckload of Coors beer from Texas to Georgia in just 28 hours. Along the way, he picks up a runaway bride (Sally Field) and draws the ire of a relentless sheriff (Jackie Gleason), leading to a series of high-speed chases and hilarious hijinks.

Cast: A Trio of Unforgettable Performances

Burt Reynolds is at his charming best as the Bandit, delivering one-liners with a twinkle in his eye and driving like a man possessed.
Sally Field is delightful as the runaway bride, bringing a mix of sweetness and sass to her role.
But it’s Jackie Gleason who steals the show as Sheriff Buford T. Justice, a character so larger-than-life that he practically bursts off the screen.

Direction: Hal Needham’s Fast-Paced Fun

Director Hal Needham, a former stuntman, brings a sense of kinetic energy to “Smokey and the Bandit” that keeps the film moving at a breakneck pace. The car chases are thrilling, the stunts are spectacular, and the comedic timing is spot-on. It’s a testament to Needham’s skill that the film never feels like it’s running out of gas.

Legacy: A Cult Classic That’s Still Fun Today

“Smokey and the Bandit” was a box office smash in 1977, raking in over $126 million and becoming the second highest-grossing film of the year, behind only “Star Wars.” It spawned two sequels and a series of TV movies, and its influence can still be seen in car chase films today.

Final Thoughts

“Smokey and the Bandit” is a film that delivers on all fronts. It’s a high-speed, high-spirited romp that’s as fun today as it was in 1977. The performances are top-notch, the direction is tight, and the car chases are some of the best ever put on film. So if you’re in the mood for a good old-fashioned road movie with a side of laughs, “Smokey and the Bandit” is definitely worth a watch.