Smokey and the Bandit

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Smokey and the Bandit

PG

Released May 27, 1977

1h 40m

Comedy

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

72%

Tomatometer

36 Reviews

85%

Popcornmeter

50,000+ Ratings

Big Enos (Pat McCormick) wants to drink Coors at a truck show, but in 1977 it was illegal to sell Coors east of the Mississippi River without a permit. Truck driver Bo "Bandit" Darville (Burt Reynolds) agrees to pick up the beer in Texas and drive it to Georgia within 28 hours. When Bo picks up hitchhiker Carrie (Sally Field), he attracts the attention of Sheriff Buford T. Justice (Jackie Gleason). Angry that Carrie will not marry his son, Justice embarks on a high-speed chase after Bandit.

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Critics Consensus

Not much in the head but plenty beneath the hood, Smokey and the Bandit is infectious fun with plenty of car wrecks to keep your eyes glued.

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Ron Pennington

The Hollywood Reporter

While the joke wears thin very quickly, there are a number of amusing sequences, which are combined with some exciting road action to provide a mildly entertaining - and totally mindless - film.

May 21, 2018

Full Review

Variety Staff

Variety

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

May 5, 2008

Full Review

Chris Peachment

Time Out

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

Jun 24, 2006

Full Review

David Elliott

Chicago Daily News

For me at least, the world of "Smokey" is stranger than the outer space of Star Wars... "Smokey" may be faintly memorable as the absolute pit of Jackie Gleason's career.

Oct 3, 2023

Full Review

Rene Jordan

El Nuevo Herald (Miami)

What Jackie Gleason does in this film, not even the Deil would pardon. [Full review in Spanish]

Aug 16, 2023

Full Review

Steve Warren

The Barb (Atlanta)

One of the best pictures of its kind. Forget how sophisticated you are for 97 minutes and enjoy it.

May 6, 2023

Full Review

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MB

Loved seeing it on the big screen

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

08/26/24

Full Review

Troy L

Very entertainingagain.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

07/18/24

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Barbara

Love It! One of my favorite childhood movies!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

08/01/22

Full Review

Wendall M

A must see classic. Wish we had more movies like this!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

08/01/22

Full Review

Ask T

👍

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/17/25

Full Review

Blu B

A Comedy Action Classic. Like Home Alone, on paper this movie shouldn't work. The plot is paper thin, the characters don't have any depth really, and it's just very mindless at times. Besides the editing which is half decent, everything else is really well done honestly. The direction is good enough. The music is amazing and the title is just one of the best title tracks for a film all time. Burt Reynolds has never been more charismatic than in this and just commands the screen with his charm and charisma in every scene. Sally Field is great too and has really good chemistry with Reynolds. It's laways fun watching the two of them troll each other and go from one antic to the next. Gleason is really great too as the villian and is having a blast. That really is the secret here. It's just a lot of fun and has lots of charm, some good laughs and really cool action scenes. The stunts are really good. Your either laughing, being charmed by Reynolds, or watching awesome chases. It's one of those rare exceptions where it just works so well and it shouldn't. Truly capturing lighting in a bottle. Anyone who is a fan ofany actors in this, comedies, action flicks, or the director should check this out.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

01/16/25

Full Review

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Hal Needham

Director

Burt Reynolds

'Bandit'

Sally Field

Carrie

Jackie Gleason

Sheriff Buford T. Justice

Jerry Reed

Cledus Snow

Mike Henry

Junior

Smokey and the Bandit: Official Clip - The Snowman Is Comin' Through

3:00

Smokey and the Bandit: Official Clip - Oh, Look, a Football Game!

2:46

Smokey and the Bandit: Official Clip - Daddy, the Top Came Off

1:21

Smokey and the Bandit: Official Clip - Jumping Mulberry Bridge

2:58

Smokey and the Bandit: Official Clip - Runaway Bride

1:44

Smokey and the Bandit: Official Clip - Hello, Smokey

2:35

Smokey and the Bandit: Official Clip - That's an Attention Getter

2:20

Smokey and the Bandit: Official Clip - For the Money, For the Glory, For the Fun

2:22

Smokey and the Bandit: Official Clip - A Real Challenge

2:30

Smokey and the Bandit: Official Clip - Bye Bye Sheriff Justice

1:48

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Synopsis

Big Enos (Pat McCormick) wants to drink Coors at a truck show, but in 1977 it was illegal to sell Coors east of the Mississippi River without a permit. Truck driver Bo "Bandit" Darville (Burt Reynolds) agrees to pick up the beer in Texas and drive it to Georgia within 28 hours. When Bo picks up hitchhiker Carrie (Sally Field), he attracts the attention of Sheriff Buford T. Justice (Jackie Gleason). Angry that Carrie will not marry his son, Justice embarks on a high-speed chase after Bandit.

Director: Hal Needham
Producer: Mort Engelberg
Screenwriter: Hal Needham, Robert L. Levy, James Lee Barrett, Charles Shyer, Alan Mandel
Distributor: Universal Home Entertainment, MCA/Universal Pictures [us]
Production Co: Universal Pictures, Rastar Pictures
Rating: PG
Genre: Comedy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): May 27, 1977, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Apr 19, 2016
Runtime: 1h 40m

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