Smokey and the Bandit: Films (1977-83)

01. Smokey and the Bandit (1977)

Dir. Hal Needham

The Bandit (Burt Reynolds) and his buddy Snowman (Jerry Reed) attempt to transport a truckload of contraband across state lines,

However, a disgruntled Sheriff (Jackie Gleason), the Smokey of the title, and a drove of state troopers have a hard-on for the cocky bootleggers along the way.

The majority of the film is nothing more than an extended chase scene in which our heroes attempt to overcome complications and outsmart Smokey, but it's never boring.

The chemistry between the confidently smug Burt Reynolds and an adorable Sally Fields is perfect. Throw some country music into the mix and you have a classic on your hands. When people speak of having fond memories of watching the Bandit films as a kid, my guess is that it's the first one they're thinking of the most.

02. Smokey and the Bandit II (1980)

Dir. Hal Needham

Film number two is a 'number two' in more than one sense of the word. The Bandit (still Burt) and Snowman (still Jerry) are once again picking up and dropping off for the Enos brothers (Pat McCormick and Paul Williams as Big and Little Enos, respectively), this time from Florida to Dallas, but the package they're carrying is a little different than the one they had before.

The same can be said of the comedy. Instead of relying on the natural comedic relationships that exist between the cast, the script is much too contrived and many of the set-ups fall flat.

Things do improve once they get on the road, but by then it’s too little too late for me, sadly.

03. Smokey and the Bandit Part 3 (1983)

Dir. Dick Lowry

Burt Reynolds slides in for a very brief cameo but otherwise Part III is mostly about Sheriff Buford T. Justice (still Jackie) and Snowman (still Jerry). Buford's son, Junior (Mike Henry), Big Enos and Little Enos (still Pat and Paul) also have significant roles.

Jackie Gleason's character could easily carry a film if the script was good, but it isn't. If you want the perfect Smokey experience then you might want to consider stopping after the first one.

If the fabled alternate version of the film (Smokey IS the Bandit) does exist, and if it was shelved for being worse than what we actually got, then it’s probably best if it stays buried in the vault.

NOTE: the film titles flit between Roman numerals and decimal, it wasn't an error on my part.