On this day August 15 1980, Smokey and the Bandit II arrived in theaters, bringing Burt Reynolds back as the charismatic outlaw Bo Darville. This sequel reunited him with Sally Field as Carrie and Jerry Reed as Cledus, delivering another wild ride packed with fast cars, comedic situations, and daring chases.
In this second adventure, the Bandit is hired to transport an unusual and very large cargo across the country, an elephant named Charlotte, all while being pursued by Sheriff Buford T. Justice, played by Jackie Gleason in one of his most over the top performances. The movie leaned heavily into outrageous stunts, colorful characters, and broad comedy, giving fans of the original another dose of high speed fun.
Though reviews were mixed, audiences enjoyed the return of the beloved cast and the lighthearted action that made the first film a hit. Smokey and the Bandit II kept the spirit of the original alive, offering a fun escape with its blend of humor, charm, and stunt driving spectacle.
80s insight: Smokey and the Bandit II embraced the decade’s love for sequels by amplifying the action, comedy, and outrageous scenarios.
In this second adventure, the Bandit is hired to transport an unusual and very large cargo across the country, an elephant named Charlotte, all while being pursued by Sheriff Buford T. Justice, played by Jackie Gleason in one of his most over the top performances. The movie leaned heavily into outrageous stunts, colorful characters, and broad comedy, giving fans of the original another dose of high speed fun.
Though reviews were mixed, audiences enjoyed the return of the beloved cast and the lighthearted action that made the first film a hit. Smokey and the Bandit II kept the spirit of the original alive, offering a fun escape with its blend of humor, charm, and stunt driving spectacle.
80s insight: Smokey and the Bandit II embraced the decade’s love for sequels by amplifying the action, comedy, and outrageous scenarios.
