Smokey and the Bandit

Smokey and the Bandit (1977)

Timing: 1:36 (96 min)

6.949/10
688

All about film

Video 2

Photo 38

Actors and characters

Release date

1977-05-26

Country

United States

Production

Universal Pictures

Genre

Action, Adventure, Comedy

Budget

$4 300 000

Revenue

$126 700 000

Website

Director

Hal Needham

Actors

Burt Reynolds, Sally Field, Jerry Reed, Jackie Gleason, Mike Henry, Paul Williams, Pat McCormick, Linda McClure, Susan McIver, Laura Lizer Sommers
All actors and roles (10)

Scenario

Producer

Mort Engelberg, Jules V. Levy, Robert L. Levy

Operator

Bobby Byrne

Composer

Jerry Reed

Artist

Audition

Jennifer Shull

Editing

Walter Hannemann, Angelo Ross
All team (37)

• The idea for "Smokey and the Bandit" originated in 1976 during the filming of "Gator" (1976), which was directed by Burt Reynolds himself. The film was shot in Reynolds' home state of Georgia, and during filming, Coors beer was constantly disappearing from the set, which they had brought with them. It was being stolen by "locals" who worked on the set. It turned out that this beer wasn't delivered to them, and transporting large quantities of the alcoholic beverage was considered smuggling. This fact formed the basis of the story about the "Bandit," his friend the "Snowman," the charming girl the "Frog," and Sheriff Buford T. Justice. Hal Needham believed that a film with chases and interstate smuggling could be successful.
• In the film industry, Hal Needham was known primarily as a stuntman, so it was not easy for him to interest producers in this project. He attracted the attention of one studio only when his friend Burt Reynolds (1936-2018) agreed to star in the film.
• A near-accident occurred during the filming of the scene with the football players when the field was watered right before the shoot, unbeknownst to anyone, and the car lost control, began to skid, and almost hit the extras.
• Fred, the Basset Hound of the Snowman, was personally chosen by Burt Reynolds, mainly because the dog categorically refused to obey any commands.
• The nickname "Smoky" is commonly used in reference to state police officers and the US Forest Service.