The jaunt goes smoothly until the Bandit picks up a fetching runaway bride named Carrie (Reynolds' then-girlfriend Sally Field, with whom he has crackling chemistry) who is fleeing her planned union to dim-witted Texas beau Junior Justice (Mike Henry). He will keep local lawmen, or “Smokies,” along the trek occupied with his reckless hot-dogging, clearing the way for Snowman and his illegal cargo. Recruiting his good-natured pal Cledus “Snowman” Snow (country music star Jerry Reed) to drive the big rig, the Bandit takes the wheel of a spiffy new Trans Am and the role of blocker. The catch is that the job isn't strictly legal at the time, transporting Coors east of the Mississippi River constituted bootlegging. Rich wheeler-dealers Big Enos Burdette (Pat McCormick) and his son Little Enos (Paul Williams) bet Bandit $80,000 that he can't haul 400 cases of Coors beer from Texarkana, Texas, to a big celebration in Georgia in just 28 hours.
In his signature role, Reynolds stars as Bo “Bandit” Danville, a cocky driving ace who isn't afraid to bend or break the law. Judged on its own merits, the movie may be dated but boasts a charming, capable cast that is clearly having a ball playing such colorful characters, plus plenty of zippy chases, zany crashes and cheeky redneck humor.
Primarily a showcase for Reynolds' considerable charisma and trademark '70s 'stache as well as director/co-writer Hal Needham's stuntman experience, “Smokey and the Bandit” spawned a series of copycats and sequels with ever diminishing returns.
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