Smokey and the Bandit (franchise)
Smokey and the Bandit | |
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Directed by |
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Based on | Characters by
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Produced by |
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Starring |
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Production companies | Rastar (1-2) |
Distributed by |
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Release date | 1977–1983 |
Country |
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Language | English |
Smokey and the Bandit is an action comedy franchise following the exploits of bootleggers Bo "Bandit" Darville (Burt Reynolds), Cledus "Snowman" Snow (Jerry Reed), and Texas county sheriff Buford T. Justice (Jackie Gleason). The series consists of three theatrical films and four made-for-TV spinoff films.
Created by stuntman and director Hal Needham, the first film of the trilogy, Smokey and the Bandit, was the second-highest-grossing domestic film of 1977 in the United States[1] and had significant cultural impact including adding to the 1970s CB radio fad and igniting the popularity of the Pontiac Trans Am car driven by the Bandit.
Smokey and the Bandit (1977)
The film follows Bo "Bandit" Darville (Reynolds) and Cledus "Snowman" Snow (Reed), two
Smokey and the Bandit was the second-highest-grossing domestic film of 1977 in the United States.[1]
Smokey and the Bandit II (1980)
The plot centers on Bo "Bandit" Darville (
Smokey and the Bandit II was the eighth-highest-grossing domestic film of 1980 in the United States.[3]
Smokey and the Bandit Part 3 (1983)
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 a
Films
Film | U.S. release date | Director(s) | Producer(s) |
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Smokey and the Bandit | May 27, 1977 | Hal Needham | Mort Engelberg and Robert L. Levy |
Smokey and the Bandit II | August 15, 1980 | Hank Moonjean | |
Smokey and the Bandit Part 3 | August 12, 1983 | Dick Lowry | Mort Engelberg |
Television spin-off films
A series of four
Documentary
The Bandit 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.[6]
Television series
In October 2020, a Smokey and the Bandit TV series was revealed to be in development, with a pilot written by David Gordon Green and Brian Sides and also executive produced with his Rough House confederates Jody Hill, Danny McBride and Brandon James, as well as Seth MacFarlane and Erica Huggins of Fuzzy Door.[7]
References
- ^ a b "1977 Worldwide Box Office". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved 2023-09-18.
- ^ Pennington, Ron (2018-05-19). "'Smokey and the Bandit': THR's 1977 Review". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 2023-09-18.
- ^ "Smokey and the Bandit II". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved 2023-09-18.
- ^ Variety Staff (1983-01-01). "Smokey and the Bandit Part 3". Variety. Retrieved 2023-09-18.
- ^ Needham, Hal (2011-03-13), Smokey and the Bandit, Universal Pictures Home Entertainment, retrieved 2023-09-18
- ^ Leydon, Joe (2016-03-19). "Film Review: 'The Bandit'". Variety. Retrieved 2023-09-18.
- ^ Taylor, Drew (2020-10-21). "Smokey and the Bandit TV Series in the Works from Seth MacFarlane". Collider. Retrieved 2023-09-18.