Review of Smokey and the Bandit (1977) by Stuart K — 30 Dec 2012
One of an eventual trilogy, and one of many films it's star Burt Reynolds would make with Hal Needham, (including Hooper (1978), The Cannonball Run (1981) and Stroker Ace (1983)). This became the second highest grossing film of 1977, behind some silly sci-fi saga, but this is better.
It begins with Texas dealers Big Enos Burdette (Pat McCormick) and his son, Little Enos (Paul Williams), wanting someone to bring a big shipment of Coors beer all the way from Texas to their theme park in Georgia.
They find legendary truck driver Bo "Bandit" Darville (Reynolds), who agrees to do it, he finds help with fellow trucker Cledus "Snowman" Snow (Jerry Reed) who will drive the truck, and Bandit will keep attention off the truck with a back Pontiac Trans Am.
They travel to Texarkana, Texas where 400 cases of Coors is waiting, and they set off home. However, they run foul of the law, after Bandit picks up runaway bride Carrie (Sally Field), and they soon have Sheriff Buford T.
Justice (Jackie Gleeson) on the Bandit's tail, as his son was to have married Cassie. But, with a fast car, the Bandit wants the shipment to get back to Georgia, and he won't give in. It's a very likeable film with some very funny moments, and even Reynolds is a likeable presence, (many people forget how big he was in the 1970's).
There should be more car chase and race films like this now, this set the high water mark for them all.
This review of Smokey and the Bandit (1977) was written by Stuart K on 30 Dec 2012.
Smokey and the Bandit has generally received positive reviews.
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