Smokey and the Bandit (1977) – Is it possible to get a truckload of
beer from Texas to Atlanta in a day? It’s the ultimate “good old
boy” challenge, with car chases, car crashes, lots of laughs and
just a bit of romance thrown in.
beer from Texas to Atlanta in a day? It’s the ultimate “good old
boy” challenge, with car chases, car crashes, lots of laughs and
just a bit of romance thrown in.
Directed
by Hal Needham Starring: Burt
Reynolds, Sally Fields, Jerry Reed, Jackie Gleason
by Hal Needham Starring: Burt
Reynolds, Sally Fields, Jerry Reed, Jackie Gleason
Why
You Will Like It – Pass the popcorn non-stop fun with a great cast
leading the way.
You Will Like It – Pass the popcorn non-stop fun with a great cast
leading the way.
I
have listed this movie among my “Guilty Pleasures” for years. A
movie that I’ve been shamefaced to admit I enjoyed. Watching it
now, 40+ years after its debut, I’ve decided to drop the guilty
part. This movie is just fun. No, it’s not an intellectual
challenge, it’s not a brilliant script, nor is it filled with
performances for the ages.
have listed this movie among my “Guilty Pleasures” for years. A
movie that I’ve been shamefaced to admit I enjoyed. Watching it
now, 40+ years after its debut, I’ve decided to drop the guilty
part. This movie is just fun. No, it’s not an intellectual
challenge, it’s not a brilliant script, nor is it filled with
performances for the ages.
And
it could not care less. Neither should you.
it could not care less. Neither should you.
This
was a surprise smash hit. The story of “The Bandit” (Reynolds)
taking a bet to transport a semi-trailer filled with Coors from Texas
to Atlanta in 28 hours. (Historical note for the younger viewers.
Once upon a time Coors was not available east of the Mississippi
river. This was because it required constant refrigeration. Because
of this, it became a “holy grail” beer for many folks in the
East. Those issues have been resolved and now Coors is available
nationwide. But you need to know this for the movie to make any
sense.). To do this the Bandit is attracting the attention of the
police so the truck, driven by his sidekick “Snowman”(Reed) can
get there on time. Along the way they pick up two extras. Carrie
(Fields), a professional dancer and runaway bride, and Sheriff Buford
T. Justice (Gleason). The sheriff is also the father of the jilted
groom that she is fleeing. He is offended both by her desertion and
Bandit’s flagrant flaunting of the law.
was a surprise smash hit. The story of “The Bandit” (Reynolds)
taking a bet to transport a semi-trailer filled with Coors from Texas
to Atlanta in 28 hours. (Historical note for the younger viewers.
Once upon a time Coors was not available east of the Mississippi
river. This was because it required constant refrigeration. Because
of this, it became a “holy grail” beer for many folks in the
East. Those issues have been resolved and now Coors is available
nationwide. But you need to know this for the movie to make any
sense.). To do this the Bandit is attracting the attention of the
police so the truck, driven by his sidekick “Snowman”(Reed) can
get there on time. Along the way they pick up two extras. Carrie
(Fields), a professional dancer and runaway bride, and Sheriff Buford
T. Justice (Gleason). The sheriff is also the father of the jilted
groom that she is fleeing. He is offended both by her desertion and
Bandit’s flagrant flaunting of the law.
This
movie turned into a major milestone for many folks connected to it.
It was Needham’s launching point in his move from stuntman/coordinator to big time director. For Fields it was a welcome
return to comedy after some serious roles. The Pontiac Firebird that
Reynolds drove nearly doubled its sales over the next two years. It
also launched a whole series of good old boy, CB radio, running
around in fast cars movies and television shows. None of them come
close to the pure joy of this one. It was the second highest
grossing movie of 1977 behind only the first “Star Wars” movie.
And it holds up well.
movie turned into a major milestone for many folks connected to it.
It was Needham’s launching point in his move from stuntman/coordinator to big time director. For Fields it was a welcome
return to comedy after some serious roles. The Pontiac Firebird that
Reynolds drove nearly doubled its sales over the next two years. It
also launched a whole series of good old boy, CB radio, running
around in fast cars movies and television shows. None of them come
close to the pure joy of this one. It was the second highest
grossing movie of 1977 behind only the first “Star Wars” movie.
And it holds up well.
There
is so much to love here. Jerry Reed is fun on stage and wrote the
theme song, which will be stuck in your head for days after.
Reynolds does what he did best. Just like the Bandit, it’s
“showing off”. Fields is vulnerable, funny and adorable. And
any opportunity to watch Jackie Gleason, one of the comic geniuses of
the 20th Century, take off and chew the scenery is
worth the price of admission alone.
is so much to love here. Jerry Reed is fun on stage and wrote the
theme song, which will be stuck in your head for days after.
Reynolds does what he did best. Just like the Bandit, it’s
“showing off”. Fields is vulnerable, funny and adorable. And
any opportunity to watch Jackie Gleason, one of the comic geniuses of
the 20th Century, take off and chew the scenery is
worth the price of admission alone.
Don’t
expect anything other than a good time. A very, VERY good time.
expect anything other than a good time. A very, VERY good time.
Rating
– **** Recommended
– **** Recommended
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