Tuesday, September 03, 2013

Smokey and the Bandit

I had fun on Sunday watching the film Smokey and the Bandit, a comedy action entertainment featuring Burt Reynolds, Sally Field and Jackie Gleason. The 1977 film, based on a series of high-speed pursuit has commendable comedy scenes comprising action and hilarious lines, settles on a simple track of transporting a truckload of beer across state lines of US.

Two truck-divers (Bandit and Snowman) accepts the challenge of picking up a truckload of beer from Texas to southern Georgia, which is illegal at that time to transport specific kind of beer across state lines, for the refreshment of two big-shots.  Soon enough both were at the highways; Bandit on his black Pontiac Trans Am (a speedy car) kept roping the police towards him (as a decoy) to keep away their attention from the illegal truckload driving by Snowman. Meanwhile Bandit picks up a runaway bride ‘Carrie’ on his car where he becomes the target of Texas Sheriff ‘Justice’, a senior law officer whose younger son was yet to be Carrie’s groom.

With specific time and distance in miles, the film runs at high speed chasing, skating, jumping and floating of cars was highly influenced by CB radios, through which they seek acquaintance from fellow truckers that help them to escape from police pursuits. The most interesting part of the film was music, which captivate the mood exactly while on pursuit and increases the speed thrill. The best of all was legendary Jackie Gleason’s character as law officer targeting the Bandit, whose serious intentions all make laugh as it become funny.

Apart Burt Reynolds and Sally Field - as lead make charm and become sweet companion on the pursuit - the ‘Pontiac Trans Am’ has been hero wades through different terrains. The film seems to be inspiration for many films unrolled on the series of pursuit and I could relate many Indian movies with similar stunt sequences which perhaps could be a replica of Smokey and the Bandit. The film director (Hal Needham) himself been a stuntman has left impression. It is the only movie I have experienced with constant chasing entertainment… may be there could be some need to check.

12 comments:

Twilight Man said...

That was an old movie! Were you born yet?

Optimistic Existentialist said...

My mom and dad LOVE this movie - they watched it for their first date haha.

TexWisGirl said...

my husband loves this film

Indrani said...

Very positive.

Karen Lakis said...

I remember that movie - it was so much fun!

Rajesh said...

Nice movie, even I have seen this.

Anonymous said...

Oh, I remember watching this. Fun movie!

Destination Infinity said...

I'll remember the name - Will watch it sometime later :)

Destination Infinity

Sandhya said...

This is my husband's favourite movie. I have seen glimpses. Your narration is very good, Jeevan!

George said...

I saw this movie many years ago and enjoyed it very much.

Elsie Amata said...

My uncle had a Trans Am just like it!

deeps said...

thanks for sharing this...
i hadnt even heard about this movie to be frank...
:)