Smokey and the Bandit

Smokey and the Bandit
Theatrical release poster by John Solie
Directed by	Hal Needham
Screenplay by	James Lee Barrett Charles Shyer Alan Mandel
Story by	Hal Needham Robert L. Levy
Produced by	Mort Engelberg Robert L. Levy
Starring	Burt Reynolds Sally Field Jerry Reed Jackie Gleason
Cinematography	Bobby Byrne
Edited by	Walter Hannemann Angelo Ross
Music by	Bill Justis Jerry Reed
Production company	Rastar
Distributed by	Universal Pictures
Release dates	May 19, 1977(1977-05-19)(Radio City Music Hall) July 29, 1977(1977-07-29)(Los Angeles)
Running time	96 minutes
Country	United States
Language	English
Budget	$4.3 million
Box office	$127 million

Smokey and the Banditis a 1977 Americanaction comedy filmstarringBurt Reynolds,Sally Field,Jackie Gleason,Jerry Reed,Pat McCormick,Paul Williams,andMike Henry.The film marks the directorial debut of stuntmanHal Needham.

The film follows Bo "Bandit" Darville (Reynolds) and Cledus "Snowman" Snow (Reed), two truck-drivingbootleggersattempting to illegally transport 400 cases ofCoors beerfromTexarkanatoAtlanta.While the Snowman drives the truck carrying the beer, the Bandit drives blocker, in a 1977Pontiac Trans Am,to distract law enforcement and keep the attention off the Snowman. During their run, they are pursued by Sheriff Buford T. Justice, of Portague County, Texas.

Smokey and the Banditwas a box office success, grossing $127 million against a $4.3 million budget, becoming thesecond-highest-grossing domestic film of 1977in the United States.

The film became the first installment of theSmokey and the Bandittrilogy as the start in theSmokey and the Banditfranchise.

Plot

Wealthy Texan Big Enos Burdette and his son, Little Enos, have sponsored a racer inAtlanta's Southern Classic and want to celebrate in style when he wins, so they are seeking a trucker willing tobootlegCoors Beerto Atlanta for their refreshment. They find local legend Bo "Bandit" Darville at a truckrodeoatLakewood Fairgroundsand offer him $80,000 (equivalent to $402,241 in 2023) to haul 400 cases of Coors from Texarkana (the closest place it could legally be sold at that time) to Atlanta in 28 hours. The Bandit takes the bet on the risky and unprecedented task, and recruits his friend Cledus "Snowman" Snow and his dog Fred to drive the truck, while Bandit drives a black Pontiac Trans Am as a "blocker" to divert attention away from the truck and its illegal cargo.

The pair arrive in Texarkana one hour early and load up the truck, but just as they head back, Carrie, a runaway bride, intercepts Bandit and jumps in his car, unwittingly making him an indirect target of Sheriff Buford T. Justice, a career Texas lawman whose witless son, Junior, was to have married Carrie. The Justices engage in ahigh-speed hot pursuitand doggedly chase Bandit all the way to Georgia to retrieve Carrie and arrest the Bandit, while successive comical mishaps cause their cruiser to experience increasing damage along the way.

Bandit attracts more police attention acrossDixieas Cledus barrels on toward Atlanta with the contraband beer, but they are helped en route by many colorful characters viaCB radio.Neither Buford nor any other lawmen know of Cledus's illegal manifest, while Bandit is likewise unaware that Buford is chasing him because of Carrie, whose jumpiness inspires Bandit to give her theCB handle"Frog".

Just after re-entering Georgia, Cledus is rescued by Bandit after being stopped by aGeorgia State Patrolmotorcycle trooper, as state and local police intensely pursue Bandit with roadblocks and a helicopter to track his movement. With four miles (6.4 km) left, Bandit, discouraged by the unexpected mounting attention, is ready to give up, but Cledus, who initially thought they would fail, takes the lead and smashes through the roadblock at the fairgrounds' main entrance. They make it back with ten minutes to spare, but instead of taking the payoff, Carrie and Bandit accept adouble-or-nothingoffer from Little Enos: a challenge to run up toBostonand bring backclam chowderin 18 hours. They quickly escape in one of Big Enos'sCadillacsas police flood the racetrack.

After passing Buford's badly damaged cruiser on the roadside, Bandit gets on the CB and initially directs him to the Burdettes, but then respectfully gives his real location right behind Buford, who continues his chase leaving Junior behind, and with more parts falling off his cruiser as he limps off after Bandit.

Cast

• Burt Reynoldsas Bo "The Bandit" Darville
• Sally Fieldas Carrie "Frog"
• Jerry Reedas Cledus "The Snowman" Snow
• Jackie Gleasonas Sheriff Buford T. Justice / "Smokey Bear"
• Mike Henryas Junior Justice
• Pat McCormickas Enos "Big Enos" Burdette
• Paul Williamsas Enos "Little Enos" Burdette
• Macon McCalmanas Mr. B
• Susan McIver as "Hot Pants" Hillyard
• George Reynolds as Sheriff George Branford
• Laura Lizer Sommers as "Little Beaver"
• Michael Mann as Branford's Deputy
• Lamar Jackson as "Sugar Bear"
• Ronnie Gay as Georgia Trooper
• Quinnon Sheffield as Alabama Trooper
• Alfie Wise as Alabama Patrolman
• Pat Hustis as Tow Truck Driver
• Ingeborg Kjeldsen as Foxy Lady
• Michael McManusas Trucker "Silver Tongued Devil"
• Gene Witham as Leader of The Gang
• Susan Sindelar as Motorcycle Gang Member
• Ben Jonesas Trucker #1
• Joe Kleckoas Trucker #2
• Hank Wordenas Trucker #3
• Sonny Shroyeras Motorcycle Cop (uncredited)

Production

Development

Needham originally planned the film as a low-budgetB moviewith a production cost of $1 million,with Reed as the Bandit. Needham had great difficulty getting any studios or producers to take his project seriously, being better known in the film industry as astuntman.He obtained the attention of studios and aimed the film at a more mainstream release after his friend Reynolds read the script and agreed to portray the Bandit, with Reed now portraying the Bandit's friend the Snowman. Reed would eventually play the Bandit inSmokey and the Bandit Part 3,in which Reynolds only appeared in a cameo near the end. At the time, Reynolds was the top box office star in the world.

In the original script, Carrie was called Kate while Big Enos and Little Enos were called Kyle and Dickey. The Bandit's car was a second-generation Trans Am and the prize for completing the run was a new truck rather than $80,000.Reynolds revealed in his autobiography that Needham had written the first draft script on legal pads. Upon showing it to his friend, Reynolds told Needham that it was the worst script he had ever read, but that he would still make the movie. Most of the dialogue was improvised on set.

Universal StudiosbankrolledSmokey and the Banditfor $5.3 million, figuring it was a good risk.Just two days before production was to begin, Universal sent a "hatchet man" to Atlanta to inform Needham that the budget was being trimmed by $1 million. With Reynolds' salary at $1 million, Needham was left with only $3.3 million to make the film. Needham and assistant director David Hamburger spent 30 hours revising the shooting schedule.

"Buford T. Justice" was the name of a realFlorida Highway Patrolmanknown to Reynolds's father, who was once Police Chief ofRiviera Beach, Florida.His father was also the inspiration for the word "sumbitch" used in the film, a variation of the phrase "son-of-a-bitch" that, according to Reynolds, he uttered quite often. Gleason was given free rein to ad-lib dialogue and make suggestions. It was his idea to have Junior alongside him throughout the film. In particular, the scene where Sheriff Justice unknowingly encounters the Bandit in a roadside diner (a "choke and puke" in CB lingo) was not in the original story but was rather Gleason's idea.

The film's theme song, "East Bound and Down",was written virtually overnight by Reed. He gave Needham a preview of the song and, getting no reaction, offered to rewrite it. In response, Needham told Reed that he liked the song so much that if Reed changed even a word or a note, Needham would" choke him ".It would become one of Reed's biggest hits and his signature song.

The film features the custom clothing and costuming of Niver Western Wear ofFort Worth, Texas.Niver provided much of the western attire worn in the film, as well as the custom-made sheriff's uniforms Gleason wore throughout the film.

While made to take advantage of the ongoing 1970sCB radio fad,the film added to the craze.Though the filmMoonrunners(1975) is the precursor to the television seriesThe Dukes of Hazzard(1979–1985), from the same creator and with many identical settings and concepts, the popularity ofSmokey and the Banditand similar films helped get theDukesseries on the air. Three actors from the main cast ofThe Dukes of Hazzardappear in small uncredited roles inSmokey and the Bandit:Ben Jones,John Schneider,andSonny Shroyer(who played a police officer in both). In return, Reynolds portrayedBoss Hogg(originally portrayed bySorrell Booke) in the film adaptationThe Dukes of Hazzard(2005). Reynolds is referenced by name in several early episodes of the series.

Casting

Before Gleason was cast in the film,Richard Boonewas originally considered for the role of Buford T. Justice.Sally Field only accepted the part after her agent advised her that she needed a big movie role on her résumé. Universal executives initially resisted casting Field, claiming she was not attractive enough, but Reynolds insisted on her involvement. Field enjoyed making the film, but remembers that virtually the entire project was improvised.

Filming

Principal photographyof the film began on August 30, 1976.The movie was primarily filmed in Georgia, in the cities ofMcDonough,JonesboroandLithonia.The scenes set in Texarkana were filmed in Jonesboro and the surrounding area and many of the chase scenes were filmed in the surrounding areas onHighway 54betweenFayettevilleand Jonesboro for a majority of the driving scenes, Mundy's Mill Road, Main Street in Jonesboro,Georgia State Route 400,I-85(Pleasant Hill exit) and in McDonough. However, the scene where they drive through theShellgas station was filmed inOjai, California,on the corner of Ojai Avenue and El Paseo Road. Much of the surrounding scene comes from that immediate vicinity. The scene featuring the racetrack was filmed atLakewood Speedwayat the oldLakewood Fairgroundson Atlanta's south side. Theroller coasterin the movie was the Greyhound. It had not been used for some time and was repainted for the film. It was destroyed inSmokey and the Bandit IIand in a flashback scene inPart 3.The area aroundHelen, Georgia,was used for some locations. The scene where Sheriff Justice's car has the door knocked off by a passing semi-truck was shot onGeorgia State Route 75,3 miles (4.8 km) north of Helen. The tow truck driver was a local garage owner, Berlin Wike. Reynolds and Field began dating during the filming.

According to an interview with Susie McIver Ewing on The RetroZest Podcast, she was picked to play the role of Hot Pants Hilliard after the dailies footage (shot in the Atlanta area) of the original actress playing the role was inadvertently destroyed on its way from Atlanta to Los Angeles. The new Hot Pants scene had to quickly be refilmed as a part of asecond unitin the San Fernando Valley and was shot at a drive-in restaurant nearHansen Damnamed Baby Beef Burgers, which has since been demolished. This same restaurant was used for a scene in the 1983 Stephen King MovieChristine,which was ultimately cut in the final film (it can be viewed as a deleted scene on the DVD release of the film).

Vehicles

A 1978 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am in a similar specification to the car used in the movie.

Hal Needham saw an advertisement for the soon-to-be-released 1977Pontiac Trans Amand knew right away that it would be the Bandit's car, or, as Needham referred to it, a character in the movie. He contacted Pontiac and an agreement was made that four 1977 Trans Ams and twoPontiac LeMansfour-door sedans would be provided for the movie.The Trans Ams were actually 1976-model cars with 1977 front ends (from 1970 to 1976, both the Firebird/Trans Am andChevrolet Camarohave two round headlights and in 1977, the Firebird/Trans Am was changed to four rectangular headlights, and the Camaro remained unchanged). The decals were changed to 1977-style units, as evidenced by the engine size callouts on the hood scoop being in liters rather than cubic inches, as had been the case in 1976. The hood scoop on these cars says "6.6 LITRE", which, in 1977, would have denoted anOldsmobile403-equipped car or a non-W-72, 180 hp version of the 400 Pontiac engine.

The cars were 1976 models, the engines fitted to them were 455ci power plants, the last year these engines were offered for sale before withdrawal.All four of the cars were badly damaged during production,one of which was all but destroyed during the jump over the dismantled Mulberry bridge. The Trans Am used for said jump was equipped with a booster rocket, the same type that was used byEvel Knievelduring his failedSnake River Canyonjump. Needham served as the driver for the stunt (in place of Reynolds), while Lada St. Edmund was in the same car (in place of Field). By the film's ending, the final surviving Trans Am and LeMans were both barely running and the other cars had become parts donors to keep them running. This gives rise to various continuity errors with Justice's patrol car, which during some chase sequences is shown with a black rear fender, which then reverts to the car's bronze color again in later scenes. When it is finally torn off along with the car's roof in the impact with the girder, the missing fender still reappears later on in the film. The Burdettes' car is a 1974Cadillac Eldoradoconvertible painted in a "Candy Red" color scheme and is seen briefly at the beginning of the movie and in the final scene as the Bandit, the Snowman, Fred the dog, and Frog use it to make their escape. ThreeKenworth W900A short-frame semi trucks, driven by Reed, were each equipped with 38-inch sleepers. Two units were 1974 models, as evidenced by standard silver Kenworth emblems on the truck grille, and one unit was a 1973 model, as evidenced by the gold-painted Kenworth emblem on the truck's grille, signifying Kenworth's 50 years in business. The paint code for each truck was coffee brown with gold trims and the 48-foot (15 m) mural trailer used was manufactured by Hobbs Trailers in Texas with a non-operational Thermo King Refrigeration unit. This is obvious, because there is no fuel tank on the underside of the trailer to power the refrigeration unit, and the unit is never heard running.

Legal status of Coors beer

In 1977, Coors was unavailable for sale east ofTexas.Its lack of additives and preservatives meant that Coors could spoil in one week without refrigeration, explaining the film's 28-hour deadline.A 1974Timemagazine article explains that Coors was so coveted for its lack of stabilizers and preservatives, and Coors Banquet Beer had a brief renaissance. Future PresidentGerald Ford,after a trip toColorado,hid it in his luggage to take it back to Washington, D.C. PresidentDwight D. Eisenhowerhad a steady supply airlifted by the Air Force to Washington.Carl Yastrzemskiof theBoston Red Soxwould bring several cases after playing on the West Coast, by stashing them in the equipment trunks on the team's plane. Frederick Amon smuggled it once a week from Colorado toNorth Carolinaand sold it for four times the retail price.

Coors is still brewed just outside Denver, Colorado. It is now sold in all states as Coors ships it in refrigerated train cars and bottled locally and sold in different parts of the country including the eastern US states.

Soundtrack

Smokey and the Bandit: Music from the Original Motion Picture Soundtrack
Soundtrack albumby Jerry ReedandBill Justis
Released	1977(1977)
Genre	Truck-driving country country rock country bluegrass
Length	41:11
Label	MCA Records
Producer	Sonny Burke
SinglesfromSmokey and the Bandit: Music from the Original Motion Picture Soundtrack
"East Bound and Down" Released: August 1, 1977

The theme music "East Bound and Down" was sung and co-written by Reed (credited under his birth name, Jerry Hubbard) andDick Feller.It became Reed's signature song and is on multiple albums, includingCountry Legendsand his live albumJerry Reed "Live!" (Still).In 1991, it was arranged for orchestra by Crafton Beck and recorded byErich Kunzeland theCincinnati Pops Orchestrafor their albumDown on the Farm.Several other groups, such as the U.S. rock bandTonicand U.K.-based country cover band We Be Ploughin' have also covered it. Reed also penned and performed the song for the opening credits, entitled "The Legend", which tells of some of the Bandit's escapades before the events of the film, and the ballad "The Bandit", which is in several versions in the movie and on the soundtrack.Bill Justisis the first name on the credits for the soundtrack, as he composed and arranged original music throughout the film. Musicians such asBeegie Adairand George Tidwellplayed on the soundtrack. Five-string banjo player Bobby Thompson is prominent toward the end of "East Bound and Down". The soundtrack album was released in 1977 onvinyl,cassette,and8-trackthroughMCA Records.

Track listing

No.	Title	Writer(s)	Length
1.	"The Legend"	Jerry R. Hubbard	2:09
2.	"Incidental CB Dialogue" (Voice [ "Bandit" ] –Burt Reynolds,Voice [ "Snowman" ] –Jerry Reed)		0:28
3.	"East Bound And Down"	Jerry R. Hubbard,Dick Feller	2:45
4.	"Foxy Lady"	Bill Justis	2:51
5.	"Incidental CB Dialogue" (Voice [ "Bandit" ] – Burt Reynolds, Voice [ "Smokey" ] –Jackie Gleason,Voice [ "Snowman" ] – Jerry Reed)		0:56
6.	"Orange Blossom Special"	Ervin T. Rouse	2:40
7.	"The Bandit"	Dick Feller	3:00
8.	"March Of The Rednecks"	Bill Justis	2:22
9.	"If You Leave Me Tonight I'll Cry,"	Gerald Sanford,Hal Mooney	2:47
10.	"East Bound and Down(Incidental CB Dialogue Included) "(Voice [" Bandit "] – Burt Reynolds, Voice [" Snowman "] – Jerry Reed)	Jerry R. Hubbard, Dick Feller	4:42
11.	"The Bandit"	Dick Feller	2:48
12.	"And The Fight Played On!"	Bill Justis	2:22
13.	"Ma Cousin Plays Steel"	Bill Justis	3:11
14.	"Hot Pants Fuzz Parade"	Bill Justis	4:48
15.	"Incidental CB Dialogue" (Voice [ "Bandit" ] – Burt Reynolds, Voice [ "Smokey" ] – Jackie Gleason)		1:05
16.	"The Bandit (Reprise)"	Dick Feller	2:17
Total length:			41:11

Reception

Box office

Smokey and the Banditwas asleeper hit.It premiered atRadio City Music HallinNew York City,where it performed badly.It then opened in just the South of the United States over the Memorial Day weekend and grossed $2,689,851 in 386 theaters. By the end of June, it had played in major Southern markets, including Charlotte, Atlanta, Jacksonville, New Orleans, Memphis, Dallas, and Oklahoma City, grossing $11.9 million. It opened in other Northern states at the end of July.With an original budget of $5.3 million (cut to $4.3 million two days before initial production),the film eventually grossed $126,737,428 in North America,making it thesecond-highest-grossing movie of 1977(onlyStar Warsearned more, with $221.3 million). The worldwide gross is estimated at over $300 million.Reynolds said in 2015 that he most enjoyed this film, and had the most fun making it, of his career.

Critical response

Critical reception was largely positive. On the review aggregation websiteRotten Tomatoes,it has a 72% rating based on 36 reviews. The site's consensus states: "Not much in the head but plenty beneath the hood,Smokey and the Banditis infectious fun with plenty of car wrecks to keep your eyes glued ".

Film criticLeonard Maltingave the film a good rating (3 stars out of a possible 4) and characterized it as "about as subtle asThe Three Stooges,but a classic compared to the sequels and countless rip-offs which followed ".In his review in theChicago Tribune,Gene Siskelgave the film two stars and complained that the film failed to tell the audience when the clock started on the beer run, thus reducing suspense. He claimed that the Bandit is never made aware of Frog's leaving Junior at the altar, which is why the Bandit continually asks why a Texas sheriff is chasing him.The film's editors,Walter HannemannandAngelo Ross,were nominated for theAcademy Award for Best Film Editing.

Alfred Hitchcockclaimed that the film was one of his favorites.Upon meeting Reynolds,Billy Bob Thorntontold him that Americans from the region where the film is set consider the film to be less cinema and more documentary.Smokey and the Banditwas released in the United Kingdom on August 28 and was a success there, garnering positive reviews.

• American Film InstituteLists
  • AFI's 100 Years...100 Laughs– Nominated
  • AFI's 100 Years...100 Thrills– Nominated
  • AFI's 100 Years...100 Heroes and Villains:
    • Bandit (Bo Darville) – Nominated Hero
    • Bulford T. Justice - Nominated Villain

Cultural influence

Pontiac Trans Am

After the debut of the film, the Pontiac Trans Am became wildly popular, with sales almost doubling within two years of the film's release. It outsold its Chevrolet Camaro counterpart for the first time.Reynolds was given the 1977 vehicle used during promotion of the film as a gift, though the car itself never actually appeared in the film. Because of the popularity of the film and the sales success of the Trans Am, the president of Pontiac Alex Mair promised to supply Reynolds with a Trans Am each year. Due to his financial difficulties in 2014, Reynolds put his vast collection of artwork and memorabilia up for auction, including the Trans Am. High estimates for the car were up to $80,000, but the actual sale price was $450,000. Also up for auction was ago-kartreplica of the car, which sold for nearly $14,000.In 2015, a Florida-based automobile customization company built 77 Trans Ams modeled after the car that Reynolds drove in the film. These new models were built off the same Camaro platform, came with the Pontiac arrowhead, flaming bird, and Bandit logos, and the instrument panels, center consoles, and hood scoops emulating their 1977 counterparts, and were signed by Reynolds. Some differences included the use of a supercharged 454-CID (7.4-liter) Chevrolet-sourced engine that put out 840 HP, and four round headlights, which appeared on the 1967–69 Firebirds/Trans Ams only; the actual 1977–81 models had rectangular headlights.

Diablo sandwich

The "diablo sandwich" ordered by Sheriff Justice in theArkansasbarbecue restaurantscene has entered popular culture as a minor reference to the film. Though no authoritative source identifies the composition of the sandwich, there are several possibilities. A segment of theCMTprogramReel Eatsused asloppy joe-style recipe consisting of seasonedground beef,corn,andsour cream.Another proposal, based more closely on images from the film and the shooting location of the scene (at an Old Hickory House restaurant in Georgia), ispulled porkandhot sauceon ahamburgerbun. Other sources in East Texas (from whence Sheriff Justice hails) are familiar with the popular regional delicacy known as the Diablo Sandwich. It consists of any of the variousLouisiana-style hot sauces onTexas toast-style bread alongside the fourth most famous product ofPittsburg, Texas(behindPilgrim's Pride,Cavender's, andCarroll Shelby)—Pittsburg Hot Links.

The Bandit Run

The first run in 2007 to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the movie,The Bandit Runwas the brainchild of Dave Hall, owner of Restore A Muscle Car. A group of Trans Am owners and fans of the movie take part in an annual road trip from Texarkana to Jonesboro, recreating the route taken by the characters in the film. The Bandit Run quickly became a fixture, celebrating the 40th anniversary of the movie with a special 2017 screening of the film attended by Reynolds and a recreation of the jump undertaken by the Bandit and Frog across a river.

Mobil 1 commercial

In 2014, petroleum companyMobil 1produced television commercials, featuring then-NASCARdriverTony Stewart,closely based on the film. CalledSmoke is the Banditand playing on Stewart's nickname, the commercials featured him as the Bandit opposite commentatorsDarrell Waltripas the Snowman andJeff Hammondas Buford T. Justice. The story replaced the Coors beer with Mobil 1 products. The advertisements lampoon the film and feature a Pontiac Trans Am and a cover version of the songEast Bound and Down.The commercials were produced after Stewart mentioned that the movie was one of his favorites.

Television censorship and alternative versions

WhenSmokey and the Banditfirst aired on American network television in early 1979,censorswere faced with the challenge of toning down the raw language of the original film. For this purpose, they overdubbed dialogue deemed offensive, which was common practice. The most noted change made for network broadcast was the replacing of Buford's often-spoken phrase "sumbitch" (a contraction of "son of a bitch"; usually in reference to the Bandit) with the phrase "scum bum". This phrase achieved a level of popularity with children and the 2007Hot Wheelsrelease of the 1970s Firebird Trans Am has "scum bum" emblazoned on its tail.

Except for Gleason, the original actors mostly redubbed their lines for the television version. ActorHenry Corden,who voicedFred Flintstoneafter original performerAlan Reeddied the same year the film was released, was used to replace a considerable amount of Sheriff Justice's dialogue. In the U.K., the heavily dubbed version was shown for several years, particularly by theBBC.However, in more recent years, the original version has been shown (onITV,a commercial channel), usually with the stronger language edited out, often quite awkwardly. The theatrical release has a few lines deleted, including an edit in which Sheriff Justice tells a state trooper to "fuckoff "after the sheriff called his vehicle" a piece of crap ". His expletive is obscured when a passingbig rigsounds its horn. At the time, using "fuck" would immediately require anR ratingand this self-censorship allowed the film to avoid this rating and reach a much larger audience, however the scene and the obscured expletive were played for comedy value and written as such, with the passing truck being the gag of the scene more than a way to avoid the censors.

In 2006, a DVD re-release was issued ofSmokey and the Banditfeaturing a digitally remastered audio track with 5.1 Dolby-compatible surround sound. Many of the film's original sounds were replaced. For instance, the diesel engine start and run-up sequence in the opening sequence of the film were completely dubbed over with a new sound. A few other examples of sound effect replacement occur when the Bandit takes off after getting the reluctant Cledus involved in the bet, the Bandit comes to a screeching halt on a roadway moments before picking up Carrie, and when Buford's car top comes off. Some of the original sound effects (such as Cledus's dog Fred barking) and music (such as the final chase to the Southern Classic) were removed and not replaced. Earlier DVD releases and the 40th Anniversary Blu-ray of the film have the original soundtrack intact.Major portions of the audio background have been modified with different engine sounds or tire squeals from the original film. The updated version of the film features sound inaccurate for what would be produced by the Trans Am or the numerous other Pontiac vehicles in the film. The original film had correct sounds that were usually recorded live as the action took place.

Sequels

The film was followed by two theatricalsequels:Smokey and the Bandit II(1980) andSmokey and the Bandit Part 3(1983). The second film was a modest box office success, earning $66.1 million against a $17 million budget.

The third film – which had no involvement from either Hal Needham or Sally Field and contained only a short cameo appearance by Burt Reynolds – revolved entirely around Jackie Gleason's character, was panned by critics, and was abox office bomb,earning only $7 million against a $9 million budget.

Television miniseries

Main article:Bandit (film series)

A television miniseries were produced and aired in 1994 forUniversal Television'sAction Packwith actorBrian Bloomplaying a younger version of the Bandit. The three original films introduced two generations of thePontiac Trans Amand theDodge Stealthin the television miniseries.

Documentary

The Bandit(2016)is a documentary film about the making of "Smokey and the Bandit" and working with director and stuntman Hal Needham. Featuring interviews with Burt Reynolds and the crew, the film explores the unique relationship between Reynolds and Needham. The film was directed by Jesse Moss.

Television series

In October 2020, aSmokey and the BanditTV series was revealed to be in development, with a pilot written byDavid Gordon Greenand Brian Sides and also executive produced with hisRough House Picturesconfederates Jody Hill,Danny McBrideand Brandon James, as well asSeth MacFarlaneand Erica Huggins ofFuzzy Door.

See also

• The Cannonball Run
• Hooper

External links

• Smokey and the BanditatIMDb
• Smokey and the BanditatAllMovie
• Smokey and the Banditat theTCM Movie Database
• Smokey and the Banditat theAFI Catalog of Feature Films
• Smokey and the BanditatBox Office Mojo
• Smokey and the BanditatRotten Tomatoes