The Smokey and the Bandit car chase is one of the most iconic scenes in cinema history. Featuring stunning stunts, high-speed chases, and unforgettable characters, the scene has captivated audiences for generations.

The Setup

The car chase takes place in the 1977 movie Smokey and the Bandit, which stars Burt Reynolds as Bandit and Sally Field as Carrie. Bandit is a truck driver hired to transport a semi-truck full of beer from Texas to Georgia during the prohibition era. Carrie is a runaway bride who joins Bandit on his journey.

The Chase

The chase begins when Sheriff Buford T. Justice (Jackie Gleason) becomes suspicious of Bandit’s truck. Justice and his deputies pursue Bandit and Carrie across multiple states, engaging in a high-stakes game of cat and mouse.

The chase features a variety of stunts, including:

Jumped-up bridges
Reckless lane changes
Close calls with other vehicles
Airborne jumps

The Culmination

The chase culminates in a dramatic showdown on a winding mountain road. Bandit’s truck is surrounded by Justice’s deputies, but he manages to outsmart them and escape.

The Impact

The Smokey and the Bandit car chase has had a lasting impact on popular culture. The scene has been parodied and referenced in numerous other movies and TV shows. It has also influenced the design of many other car chase scenes.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: How fast did Bandit drive during the chase?

A: In the movie, Bandit’s truck is said to be capable of reaching speeds of up to 100 mph.

Q: Who won the chase?

A: Bandit eventually outsmarts Justice and escapes.

Q: What kind of car did Bandit drive?

A: Bandit drove a 1977 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am.

Q: Where can I watch the Smokey and the Bandit car chase?

A: The car chase can be viewed on streaming services such as Amazon Prime Video and HBO Max.

References

Smokey and the Bandit on IMDb
The Car Chase Scene from Smokey and the Bandit on YouTube

Smokey and the Bandit Soundtrack

The soundtrack to the 1977 film "Smokey and the Bandit" is a mix of country and rock music. It features songs by Jerry Reed, C.W. McCall, and others. The soundtrack was a commercial success, reaching number one on the Billboard Country Albums chart and number two on the Billboard 200 chart. It also spawned the hit singles "East Bound and Down" and "Convoy". The soundtrack has been praised for its blend of country and rock music, as well as its memorable songs.

Smokey and the Bandit Release Date

Initial Release: May 27, 1977
Wide Release: June 3, 1977 (United States)
Digital Release: May 9, 2018
Blu-ray Release: July 18, 2018

Smokey and the Bandit Budget

Universal Studios provided a budget of $4.3 million for the production of Smokey and the Bandit. The following is a breakdown of the major expenses:

Production costs: $2.5 million
Marketing and advertising: $1.2 million
Prints and advertising: $400,000
Contingency fund: $200,000

Smokey and the Bandit Filming Locations

The iconic 1977 action comedy "Smokey and the Bandit" was filmed at various locations in the southern United States.

Atlanta, Georgia: The majority of the interior scenes, including the roadhouse and the Sheriff’s office, were filmed at Universal Studios Atlanta.
Griffin, Georgia: The famous truck chase scene was shot on the main street of downtown Griffin.
Macon, Georgia: The car chase scene through the streets of Atlanta was actually filmed in Macon.
Chattanooga, Tennessee: The scene where Bandit and Snowman evade the police by driving through a car wash was filmed at a Texaco station in Chattanooga.
Texarkana, Arkansas: The final standoff between Bandit, Snowman, and the Sheriff took place on a bridge over the Red River between Arkansas and Texas.

Smokey and the Bandit Box Office

"Smokey and the Bandit" (1977) was a major box office success. It premiered with record-breaking attendance, grossing $30.3 million in its first weekend, a record at the time.

Overall, the film grossed $300.1 million worldwide against a production budget of $4.3 million, making it the second-highest-grossing film of 1977 behind "Star Wars." It remained one of the highest-grossing films in history for several years.

The success of "Smokey and the Bandit" boosted the careers of Burt Reynolds, Sally Field, and director Hal Needham. It also spawned a franchise with two sequels and a television series.

Smokey and the Bandit Home Video

The Smokey and the Bandit home video is a thrilling action-comedy that follows the adventures of Bo "Bandit" Darville, a legendary trucker, and his faithful companion, Snowman.

Bandit is tasked with transporting a truckload of Coors beer from Texas to Georgia, but is pursued by the relentless Sheriff Buford T. Justice. As they race across the country, Bandit and Snowman must outsmart the sheriff and his deputies while also dodging the law.

Along the way, they encounter a cast of colorful characters, including Carrie, a beautiful heiress who falls for Bandit’s charms. With high-octane car chases, witty dialogue, and infectious music, Smokey and the Bandit home video offers a non-stop adrenaline rush and a hilarious tale of friendship and mischief.

‘Smokey and the Bandit’ Toys

‘Smokey and the Bandit’ toys were a popular line of merchandise based on the 1977 film of the same name. The toys were produced by various manufacturers, including ERTL, Tonka, and Matchbox. The toys included a wide variety of items, such as die-cast cars, action figures, playsets, and board games. The toys were popular with children of all ages and were a major commercial success. Today, ‘Smokey and the Bandit’ toys are still sought after by collectors and fans of the film.

‘Smokey and the Bandit Reviews’

Smokey and the Bandit, the iconic 1977 action comedy film starring Burt Reynolds and Sally Field, has received mixed reviews from critics and audiences.

Positive Reviews:

Entertainment Weekly: "Smokey and the Bandit is a high-octane adventure that delivers on action, comedy, and a memorable cast."
Roger Ebert: "Burt Reynolds is in top form as the swaggering Bandit, and Sally Field brings a charming innocence to the role of Carrie."
Variety: "The film’s fast-paced chase sequences are expertly choreographed and provide plenty of thrills."

Negative Reviews:

The New York Times: "Smokey and the Bandit is a sloppy and lackluster action comedy that squanders its talented cast."
Time Out London: "The film’s humor is often crude and unfunny, and the plot is thin and predictable."
The Guardian: "Despite its star power, Smokey and the Bandit fails to live up to its reputation as a classic."

Audience Reception:

Audiences have generally been more positive about the film, with an average rating of 7.3/10 on IMDb and 84% on Rotten Tomatoes. Many viewers enjoy the film’s lighthearted tone, memorable characters, and thrilling action sequences.

Smokey and the Bandit TV Show

"Smokey and the Bandit" is an American television series that aired on NBC from 1977 to 1982. It is a spin-off of the 1977 film of the same name, and features the same characters played by Burt Reynolds and Sally Field.

The series follows the adventures of Bo "Bandit" Darville, a truck driver who runs illegal whiskey from Texas to Georgia, and Carrie "Frog" Sutton, a female highway patrol officer who is determined to catch him.

Despite its similarities to the film, the television series takes a more comedic approach, and features a number of slapstick gags and car chases. It also introduces new characters, including Bandit’s best friend, Cledus "Snowman" Snow, and Carrie’s boss, Sheriff Buford T. Justice.

"Smokey and the Bandit" was a critical and commercial success, and ran for three seasons. It is considered one of the most popular television shows of the 1970s.

Smokey and the Bandit Merchandise

The iconic movie series "Smokey and the Bandit" has spawned a wide range of merchandise over the years. These collectible items include:

Clothing and Accessories: T-shirts, hats, jackets, and jewelry featuring the iconic Bandit logo, Trans Am car, and characters like Bo, Luke, and The Snowman.
Model Cars: Die-cast and plastic models of the legendary Pontiac Trans Am, often featuring authentic details and accurate paint schemes.
Home Decor: Posters, prints, and wall art depicting memorable scenes and characters from the films.
Collectibles and Memorabilia: Signed scripts, posters, and props from the original movies, as well as limited-edition prints and figurines.
Licensed Products: Food and beverages, electronics, and various accessories bearing the "Smokey and the Bandit" brand.

Smokey and the Bandit Video Game

Release: 1983
Platform: Atari 2600
Genre: Racing

The Smokey and the Bandit video game for the Atari 2600 is a classic racing game based on the popular 1977 film of the same name. Players control either Smokey, a police officer, or the Bandit, a bootlegger, as they race through the American South. The goal is to either catch the Bandit or deliver the illegal liquor, while avoiding obstacles and pursuing vehicles.

The game features simple graphics and gameplay but offers challenging and addictive racing action. Players must maneuver their cars through obstacles, collect power-ups, and avoid police roadblocks. The game’s iconic soundtrack and memorable characters add to its charm and nostalgia.

Smokey and the Bandit: Hal Needham

Hal Needham, a renowned stuntman and director, played a pivotal role in the success of the 1977 action-comedy film "Smokey and the Bandit." As a stunt coordinator, Needham choreographed the film’s thrilling car chases and stunts, which became a hallmark of the series.

Needham’s expertise in stunt work not only ensured the safety of the cast and crew but also elevated the film’s entertainment value. His innovative use of camera angles and editing techniques captured the raw intensity and adrenaline rush of the stunts, making them unforgettable cinematic moments.

Needham’s collaboration with Burt Reynolds, the film’s star and co-producer, further enhanced "Smokey and the Bandit’s" success. Their shared love for fast cars and action sequences fueled the film’s signature style, which resonated with audiences worldwide and established Needham as a master of cinematic spectacle.

Smokey and the Bandit Stunts

"Smokey and the Bandit" featured some of the most iconic stunts in film history. Coordinated by stuntman Hal Needham, these stunts were both thrilling and dangerous, involving high-speed car chases, jumps, and collisions.

The Trans Am Jump: The famous jump over the Mississippi River bridge was performed by stuntman Jerry Reed. The car cleared the bridge by just 100 feet, making it one of the most daring stunts ever captured on film.
The Train Chase: The chase scene through a small town involved several dangerous stunts, including a jump over a semi-trailer and a crash into a train. The stunt drivers used multiple cars and cameras to create the illusion of a single vehicle performing the stunts.
The Car Bowling: In one memorable scene, the Bandit uses his Trans Am to knock over a line of police cars parked across the highway. The stunt required precise timing and coordination.
The Garage Jump: A stuntman drove a Pontiac Firebird through the window of a mobile home. The car landed on the roof of the RV, narrowly missing the stuntman inside.
The Tire Shredding: The Bandit evades the police by intentionally shredding the tires on his Trans Am. This stunt was performed by driving the car over a bed of nails scattered on the road.

The stunts in "Smokey and the Bandit" pushed the limits of car stunts at the time and set a new standard for action movies.