Smokey and the Bandit II *** (1980, Burt Reynolds, Jackie Gleason, Jerry Reed, Sally Field, Dom DeLuise, Paul Williams, Pat McCormick) – Classic Movie Review 7559

Director Hal Needham’s 1980 action comedy sequel Smokey and the Bandit II (aka Smokey and the Bandit Ride Again) brings Burt Reynolds back from the 1977 hit original Smokey and the Bandit as truck driver Bandit, who has a tough time up against his co-star, a pregnant elephant, whom he has to drive on another cross-country run from Florida to a Texas Republican convention in Texas. Never work with animals, Burt!

The sequel is still enjoyable, if noticeably less funny, more frantic and more desperate than before. But it is boosted with feisty performances and a lorry-load of more amazing stunts. Reynolds is great value again, and, also on the plus side, Sally Field is back as Burt’s love interest Carrie, and so is Jackie Gleason as the battling lawman, Sheriff Buford T Justice.

Also in the essential cast are Jerry Reed as Cledus, Dom DeLuise as Doc, Paul Williams as Little Enos, Pat McCormick as Big Enos, John Anderson as Governor, David Huddleston as John Conn, Mike Henry as Buford’s son Junior and Brenda Lee as Nice Lady.

The long final car chase is a pretty exciting climax. Stay tuned for the funny out-takes at the end. The Statler Brothers (Phil Balsley, Lew DeWitt, Don Reid, Harold Reid) appear as themselves.

Jerry Belson and Brock Yates write the screenplay, based on a story by Michael Kane, and on the characters created by Hal Needham and Robert L Levy.

Smokey and the Bandit Part 3 followed in 1983, but Burt Reynolds gives this one a miss except for a quick cameo as ‘The Real Bandit’.

RIP Burt Reynolds (1936–2018). Sally Field said he ‘Will Be in My Heart for as Long as I Live’.

© Derek Winnert 2018 Classic Movie Review 7559

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