Smokey and the Bandit (1977)

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

Director:

Hal Needham

Writers:

Hal Needham (story), Robert L. Levy (story)

Stars:

Burt Reynolds, Sally Field, Jerry Reed

Nominated for 1 Oscar. Another 1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Burt Reynolds	...	Bandit
Sally Field	...	Carrie
Jerry Reed	...	Cledus
Mike Henry	...	Junior
Paul Williams	...	Little Enos
Pat McCormick	...	Big Enos
Alfie Wise	...	Patrolman at Traffic Jam
George Reynolds	...	Branford
Macon McCalman	...	Mr. B
Linda McClure	...	Waynette
Susie Ewing	...	Hot Pants (as Susan McIver)
Laura Lizer Sommers	...	Little Beaver (as Laura Lizer)
Michael Mann	...	Branford's Deputy
Lamar Jackson	...	Sugar Bear
Ronnie Gay	...	Georgia Trooper

Storyline

Bandit and Cledus are two truck-driving southerners who accept a dare from big-shots Big and Little Enos to pick up a truckload of beer from Texas and return it to them within a specified amount of time. Picking it up is simple enough, but as they are leaving Texas, Bandit unwittingly picks up Carrie, a hitchhiking bride-to-be who just left her groom, Junior, at the altar. Junior, however, is the son of Sheriff Buford T. Justice. And when Buford and Junior discover what has happened, they go on a "high-speed pursuit" across the Southeast to catch the bandit.

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Plot Keywords:

sheriff | coors beer | trucker | road movie | police chase | 

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Taglines:

It's Burt Reynolds, Sally Field and Jackie Gleason, in high gear and hot water!

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Genres:

Action | Comedy

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Certificate:

PG

Did You Know?

Trivia

When scenes were filmed in the Trans Am, it was not possible to use a slate to mark the beginning and end of scenes. The actors had to clap their hands instead to mark when a scene started and ended. Several outtakes show this being done.

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Goofs

With no roof, Sheriff Buford T. Justice's car is obviously not roadworthy.

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Quotes

Buford T. Justice: Apprehend that horse ass for reckless driving!
Junior: But Daddy...
Buford T. Justice: Do what I tell you! You pile of monkey nuts!

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Alternate Versions

In the television version, there is an extra scene inserted right after Snowman retrieves Fred from the pond. The Bandit spots a police car heading past him, and gets on the CB to warn Snowman to slow down, not knowing that he hasn't even taken off yet because Fred ran away. A winded Snowman finally arrives back at the truck carrying Fred and hears the Bandit trying to get his attention. Out of breath, he asks Bandit what he wants. Bandit replies "When you get that damn dog in the truck, you can put the hammer down, because by that time, that smokey will have gone by you." After hearing that, a perplexed Snowman wonders aloud, "How'd he know that?"

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Connections

Referenced in Two and a Half Men: Above Exalted Cyclops (2009)

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Soundtracks

The Legend
By Jerry Reed
Sung by Jerry Reed

User Reviews

Burt, Sally, and a truckload of beer

One of the first films to tap into the anti-authoritarian aspects of the Citizen's Band (CB) radio craze, "Smokey" is basically a movie-length car chase and a pleasantly insipid slice of late-'70's Americana.

The tissue-thin plot has good ole boy pals The Bandit (Reynolds) and Cletus (a surprisingly good Jerry Reed) running a load of Coors cross-country on a tight deadline while trying to avoid an assortment of less-than-bright cops, led by pompous blowhard Buford T. Justice (Jackie Gleason). Sally Field, as a runaway bride who thumbs her way into Reynolds' car, brings charm and a welcome sense of irony to the macho proceedings.

Stunt coordinator-turned-director Hal Needham stages the action competently, and the actors, who supposedly improvised much of the dialogue, obviously enjoy themselves. A good choice for those who want to relive the glory days of CB rebels, long sideburns, plaid western shirts, and black Trans-Ams with "screaming chicken" decals on the hood. Avoid the two vastly inferior sequels.

Details

Official Sites:

Burt Reynolds' old Pontiac Trans Am replica sold for $317,500 Official Facebook

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

27 May 1977 (USA)

Also Known As:

Cours après moi shérif

Filming Locations:

Phillips Rd and S. Stone Mountain Lithonia Rd, Lithonia, Georgia, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$4,300,000 (estimated)

Gross USA:

$126,737,428

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$126,737,428

Company Credits

Production Co:

Universal Pictures, Rastar Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

96 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Westrex Recording System)

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1