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The Dengler Domain: Smokey and the Bandit

Films are amazing because the movie theater going experience and watching old films on television. Combining my love of films and the past, I watched a beloved film from previous generations. Friends in grade school talked about this film, but I never had the chance to watch it. This film stars a well-known actor, whose work I have not experienced. This actor is Mr. Burt Reynolds, and the film is Smokey and the Bandit.

This film was a treat to watch. No other comedy film exists in cinema history about smuggling beer across state lines while outrunning the cops and picking up a runaway bride. This film was not based on a true story and was an original screenplay. This earns major brownie points. The amount of time the characters are in their vehicles is remarkable. This time is unlike other films, but it is beautiful because the story zips as long as fast as the cars.

The action caused by the car chase scenes is beautiful. This is amazing because Smokey and the Bandit the viewer with the character’s driving methods which is hard to do in a film. Before watching this 1977 classic, I thought the car chase scenes, stunts, and graphics would not be up to par. I was completely wrong. Never was I removed from the film’s plot due to bad car chases, stunts, and graphics. The maneuvers the cars exhibit are impressive and realistic. One nitpick is the driver’s only filled up for gas once in this 28 hour, five state journey. This is more unacceptable than Jack Bauer not using the bathroom once in a season of 24.

One part of the film which stood out as dated was the use of automatic dialogue replacement (ADR). ADR happens when actors re-record their lines in a studio due to audio problems in the footage from the original production. The use of ADR in this film was too much, and the presence of it took me out of the film. When a cop crashed his car, most lines were ADR because the audio would be near impossible to record.

The performance of Burt Reynolds as Bo Darville or better known as “Bandit” was gorgeous. I have never witnessed a Burt Reynold’s prime performance. Like his moustache, the smoothness of the Bandit resonated. Every action the Bandit did in the film caused me to root for his success. While what he was doing was illegal, morally it felt right to root for the Bandit. Calling Sheriff Buford T. Justice, played by Jackie Gleason, before speeding off at the end of the film before speeding off was enjoyable.

While much more exists to discuss, it is time to keep it brief with a few more likes of this film. The humor would stand up in today’s society if it were released tomorrow. The toilet paper gag with the Sheriff’s glasses was great. The music during the car chases caused the film’s flow to be amazing. I never knew CB radios were so important. Jackie Gleason is a great bad guy, and he does a great job of antagonizing the viewer.

This film would do as well as its original release if not better in today’s society. The originality is phenomenal, and it is a classic film. The success and greatness of this film is illustrated by Star Wars the only film to gross higher than Smokey and the Bandit 1977. While this film would do great in today’s society, I hope Hollywood does not reboot this film. This version holds up and is a must see for any comedy and cinema fan.

Email Sean with your thoughts and ideas for future columns at: sean.h.dengler@gmail.com

The Dengler Domain: Smokey and the Bandit

Films are amazing because the movie theater going experience and watching old films on television. Combining my love of films and the past, I watched a beloved film from previous generations. Friends in grade school talked about this film, but I never had the chance to watch it. This film stars a well-known actor, whose work I have not experienced. This actor is Mr. Burt Reynolds, and the film is Smokey and the Bandit.

This film was a treat to watch. No other comedy film exists in cinema history about smuggling beer across state lines while outrunning the cops and picking up a runaway bride. This film was not based on a true story and was an original screenplay. This earns major brownie points. The amount of time the characters are in their vehicles is remarkable. This time is unlike other films, but it is beautiful because the story zips as long as fast as the cars.

The action caused by the car chase scenes is beautiful. This is amazing because Smokey and the Bandit the viewer with the character’s driving methods which is hard to do in a film. Before watching this 1977 classic, I thought the car chase scenes, stunts, and graphics would not be up to par. I was completely wrong. Never was I removed from the film’s plot due to bad car chases, stunts, and graphics. The maneuvers the cars exhibit are impressive and realistic. One nitpick is the driver’s only filled up for gas once in this 28 hour, five state journey. This is more unacceptable than Jack Bauer not using the bathroom once in a season of 24.

One part of the film which stood out as dated was the use of automatic dialogue replacement (ADR). ADR happens when actors re-record their lines in a studio due to audio problems in the footage from the original production. The use of ADR in this film was too much, and the presence of it took me out of the film. When a cop crashed his car, most lines were ADR because the audio would be near impossible to record.

The performance of Burt Reynolds as Bo Darville or better known as “Bandit” was gorgeous. I have never witnessed a Burt Reynold’s prime performance. Like his moustache, the smoothness of the Bandit resonated. Every action the Bandit did in the film caused me to root for his success. While what he was doing was illegal, morally it felt right to root for the Bandit. Calling Sheriff Buford T. Justice, played by Jackie Gleason, before speeding off at the end of the film before speeding off was enjoyable.

While much more exists to discuss, it is time to keep it brief with a few more likes of this film. The humor would stand up in today’s society if it were released tomorrow. The toilet paper gag with the Sheriff’s glasses was great. The music during the car chases caused the film’s flow to be amazing. I never knew CB radios were so important. Jackie Gleason is a great bad guy, and he does a great job of antagonizing the viewer.

This film would do as well as its original release if not better in today’s society. The originality is phenomenal, and it is a classic film. The success and greatness of this film is illustrated by Star Wars the only film to gross higher than Smokey and the Bandit 1977. While this film would do great in today’s society, I hope Hollywood does not reboot this film. This version holds up and is a must see for any comedy and cinema fan.

Email Sean with your thoughts and ideas for future columns at: sean.h.dengler@gmail.com