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Burt Reynolds, Sally Field, Jerry Reed, Jackie Gleason, Mike Henry (I) ... see more see more... , Paul Williams , Pat McCormick , David Huddleston , Lamar Jackson , Ingeborg Kjeldsen , Macon McCalman , Linda McClure , Susan McIver , George Reynolds , Sonny Shroyer , Alfie Wise , Hank Worden , Mel Pape , Michael Mann

"Smokey," aka Sheriff Buford T. Justice (Jackie Gleason), is the prospective father-in-law of unwilling bride Carrie (Sally Field). The Bandit (Burt Reynolds), a maverick racecar driver, makes an 80,0... read more read more...00-dollar bet that he can transport a shipment of Coors beer from Texarkana, TX, to Atlanta within 28 hours. It's important to note that in 1977, it was illegal to sell the Coors brand east of the Mississippi River without a permit; if we don't note that, then the plot won't make sense at times. Already in danger of arrest from redneck lawmen like Buford T. Justice, Bandit furthers his chances at a stiff jail term when he offers a ride to Carrie, who hopes to escape her unwanted wedding to Justice's boy. The rest of the film is one long chase; not quite as subtle as a Road Runner/Coyote cartoon, not quite as restrained as a Three Stooges comedy. Universally panned by critics upon its first release, Smokey and the Bandit reportedly pulled in just under $126 million and led to two sequels. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

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79% liked it

54,264 ratings

Critics

78% liked it

23 critics

PG, 1 hr. 36 min.

Directed by: Hal Needham

Release Date: January 1, 1977

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DVD Release Date: October 27, 1998

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Stats: 2,671 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (2,671)

  • FilmFanatik
    March 24, 2012
    FilmFanatik
    I can't even begin to sit here and defend this movie. Like a lot of people, I grew up watching this movie on TV and VHS. It's definitely not a masterpiece, but yet, it is on its own terms (especially when you look at the bile-inducing sequels). Smokey and the Bandit is, to me at ... read moreleast, the greatest guilty pleasure of all time. Anyone that says that they hate this movie and they mean it, well I don't try to continue having a conversation with them. This is just pure fun, and that's all there really is to it. The plot is full of holes, the sound work is full of obvious overdubs and the performances aren't all that great at times. The one performance that still stands out to this day is Jackie Gleason's Buford T. Justice, which he should've been nominated for an Oscar for. I'm not quite sure why this movie's appeal has lasted over the course of the last 35 years, but one thing's for sure: this will continue to be watched on late night TV until the end of the world.
  • cosmo313
    August 28, 2011
    cosmo313
    This has proved to be one very popular film, especially where I come from. Even though I do kinda like this, I really don't think it's all that great, and I hope that people from back home don't find out, because I'd never hear the end of it.

    This film, which doesn't really ha... read moreve a strong plot, is basically one long chase movie about a rebel who is tasked with going on an epic booklegging run from Texas to Georgia in 28 hours or less. On the way he picks up a runaway bride, and incurs the wrath of a Texas sheriff who is hell bent on stopping him. Unbeknownst to our hero is the main reason why the sheriff is after him: the runaway bride stood his son up at the altar.

    Despite being a fun, funny, and entertaining chase movie, there's really no tension and suspense. Had Bandit known Sheriff Buford T. Justice's motive, then maybe there'd be a lot more to work with. Also, the audience could have used a better sense of how much time was left at various points during the movie. That also would have helped build up suspense.

    Those are big flaws, but even then, there's something very likeable about this movie, even though it's pretty vacant. Burt Reynolds is charming and sly as Bandit, Jackie Gleason is an absolute riot as Justice. Sally Field may not be a supermodel or anything, but she's a good lookin' woman, and that's pretty evident her, especially since this was her in her (relatively) younger years.

    I like silly, stupid, bonehead movies, but I was expecting more from this, especially since it seems to be so revered. It doesn't quite live up to its reputation, but I didn't totally hate it, and I'm glad I finally saw it. It is funny, and the cars and trucks are awesome, but this seems to take the easy way out and isn't what it could have been.
  • SirPant
    May 3, 2011
    SirPant
    Loved it as a kid but on a re-watch I have to say I was a little shocked in places. It's also more obvious now how wasted Burt Reynolds was too. Still, good fun, cool cars and ace trucks, makes for a perfect bank holiday Monday viewing..
  • middleeasternfilms
    February 18, 2011
    middleeasternfilms
    Also known as the movie that got every wannabe redneck to speak almost solely in CB slang. The film has it's moments in both the action and comedy realms, but falls short of being a classic. Still, Burt's charisma makes it seen that few others could have carried this film the way... read more he did. Well, him and Ralph Cramden.
  • stormyweather980
    February 13, 2011
    stormyweather980
    The parts I always liked best in "The Dukes of Hazzard" (the TV show, not the horrid film) were the car action and chase scenes. But after FINALLY seeing "Smokey and the Bandit," though the Trans Am may not be as classic as the General Lee, both the action and the comedy is a lot... read more better in this film than in the aforementioned popular TV series. It was also interesting watching Reynolds and Field star together while keeping in mind that they dated several years. Classic stuff here! I liked it so much I immediately watched its sequel.
  • ajv2688
    January 4, 2011
    ajv2688
    I half liked it, but I half didn't too. I didn't like the plot, it's pretty stupid. I hated the music too, they kept playing the same country song over and over. I did like the comedy and the car crashes though. Overall, it's okay.
  • FrizzDrop
    August 2, 2010
    FrizzDrop
    Sometimes awesome is the only way to describe something, because it has no legs to stand on except that it's awesome. This is one of those times.
  • Deano78
    September 6, 2008
    Deano78
    This has some good stunts and car chases but looking a little old now.
  • cancercapricorn2002
    September 4, 2008
    cancercapricorn2002
    What can I say about this film that hasn't been said already? One of my favorites as a kid and I watched it anytime it was on HBO ( which was alot) but really how can you not love a movie that even Alfred Hitchcock called 'a guilty pleasure'? Smokey and the Bandit may not be Burt... read more Reynolds, Sally Fields or Jackie Gleason's best movie - but it certainly will be one that they will be remembered for. The plot breakdown is fairly simple: Burt Reynolds and Jerry Reed are trucking partners that are bet they can't deliver 400 cases of beer across two states in under 24 hours. Since that type of delivery is illegal (and incidentally, so is how Jerry Reed drives) Burt Reynolds distracts the "Smokies" by breaking every traffic law in sight with his '76 Trans Am. Add to that Sally Field as the runaway bride who tags along and Jackie Gleason as the jilted-father-in-law/'Smokey' and you can see why this movie was second-highest grossing movie in 1977 (beaten out by Star Wars).

    This is not an intelligent movie. There are no Oscar-caliber performances and no brilliant direction. It doesn't change the fact that Smokey and the Bandit remains fun to watch and the lines are still funny after the fifth time you've seen it or the fifteenth. The car chases are filmed well; you'll notice that the car crashes are surpassed only a few years later by John Landis' The Blues Brothers.

    Smokey and the Bandit is one of the best Southern Rock/muscle car/beer and pizza movies you can rent or catch on TBS (although you miss most of Jackie Gleason's dialogue if you catch it on cable.) Check it out!
  • kenstachnik
    August 19, 2008
    kenstachnik
    A funny romp across the highways of the South. The music and Gleason are a hoot!

View All Smokey and the Bandit Reviews

Critic Reviews

Variety Staff
May 5, 2008
Variety Staff, Variety

There is a parade of roadside set pieces involving many different ways to crash cars. Full Review

Brian Orndorf
May 28, 2012
Brian Orndorf, BrianOrndorf.com

Bandit has a pronounced Southern charm and smash-em fervor that aids in the digestion of an otherwise overly silly enterprise that's way too permissive with its on-screen talent. Full Review

May 5, 2008
TV Guide's Movie Guide

The first in the series and the best of a lousy lot. Full Review

June 24, 2006
Time Out

Despite a thin premise for an action-comedy road chase, the film's enthusiasm makes up for its lack of ideas. Full Review

Chuck O'Leary
February 18, 2006
Chuck O'Leary, FulvueDrive-in.com

A raucous blast with plenty of great lines. Gleason is an absolute riot.

Steve Crum
October 25, 2004
Steve Crum, Kansas City Kansan

Gleason is the real show here, but it made Burt a huge star.

May 24, 2003
Film4

Uncomplicated fun. Full Review

Marjorie Baumgarten
March 10, 2003
Marjorie Baumgarten, Austin Chronicle

The king of the 'good ol' boy' movies. Full Review

Bob Grimm
July 26, 2002
Bob Grimm, Las Vegas Mercury

Good, stupid fun, but a precursor to some awful copycats.

Patrick Byrne
April 23, 2002
Patrick Byrne, Apollo Guide

The true mark of a good action flick is that it knows when to play dumb and when not to. Full Review

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

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Smokey and the Bandit Trivia

  • What movie did the following quote come from? What we're dealing with here, is a complete lack of respect for the law.  Answer »
  • 1977 Sally Field Burt Reynolds Paul Williams Jerry Reed And a semi trailer full of Coors  Answer »
  • Which of the following did Dolly Parton not appear in?  Answer »
  • Who chased Burt Reynolds in the movie Smokey and the Bandit?  Answer »
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