Smokey and the Bandit (1977)
Average Rating: 6.3/10
Reviews Counted: 25
Fresh: 20 | Rotten: 5
No consensus yet.
Average Rating: N/A
Critic Reviews: 2
Fresh: 1 | Rotten: 1
liked it
Average Rating: 3.4/5
User Ratings: 55,125
My Rating
Movie Info
"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 80,000-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.
Jan 1, 1977 Wide
Oct 27, 1998
Universal Pictures
Watch It Now
Cast
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Burt Reynolds
Bandit -
Sally Field
Carrie -
Jerry Reed
Cledus -
Jackie Gleason
Sheriff Buford T. Justi... -
Mike Henry (I)
Junior -
Paul Williams
Little Enos -
Pat McCormick
Big Enos -
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Lamar Jackson
Sugar Bear -
Ingeborg Kjeldsen
"Foxy Lady" -
Macon McCalman
Mr. B -
Linda McClure
Waynette Snow -
Susan McIver
Hot Pants -
George Reynolds
Sheriff Branford -
Sonny Shroyer
Motorcycle Cop -
Alfie Wise
Traffic Jam Patrolman -
Hank Worden
Trucker -
Mel Pape
Nude Smokey -
Michael Mann
Branford's Deputy
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All Critics (25) | Top Critics (2) | Fresh (20) | Rotten (5) | DVD (7)
There is a parade of roadside set pieces involving many different ways to crash cars.
Despite a thin premise for an action-comedy road chase, the film's enthusiasm makes up for its lack of ideas.
Top CriticThe movie benefits from some excellent vehicular stuntwork, an apt role for Burt Reynolds, the introduction of Jerry Reed's "East Bound and Down," a bright turn by Reynolds' real-life girlfriend Sally Field, and Jackie Gleason at his hammiest.
quintessentially 70s and still a ton of fun
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.
The first in the series and the best of a lousy lot.
A raucous blast with plenty of great lines. Gleason is an absolute riot.
Gleason is the real show here, but it made Burt a huge star.
Uncomplicated fun.
The king of the 'good ol' boy' movies.
Audience Reviews for Smokey and the Bandit
Super Reviewer
This film, which doesn't really have 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.
Super Reviewer
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- Sheriff Buford T. Justice: You boys couldn't open an umbrella!
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- Sheriff Buford T. Justice: What the hell is the world coming to?
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- Carrie: Are we going a hundred and ten?! We're going a hundred and ten!
Discussion Forum
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Latest News on Smokey and the Bandit
May 29, 2012:
25 Things You Didn't Know About Smokey and the BanditAn abundance of trivia in honor of the Burt Reynolds/Sally Fields caper's 35th anniversary.
September 3, 2008:
Jerry Reed: 1937-2008Jerry Reed, the musician and actor who appeared in such films as "Smokey and the Bandit" and "The...
July 2, 2008:
Total Recall: RT Celebrates the Bill of RightsWe the people of Rotten Tomatoes, in order to make this Independence Day more perfect, do ordain and...
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