The Bandit (2016)
*** 1/2 (out of 4)
This here is an extremely entertaining look at the making of SMOKEY AND THE BANDIT but it's real goal is to show the friendship between its director Hal Needham and star Burt Reynolds.
THE BANDIT will certainly entertain fans of that film but it'll also appeal to fans of either Needham or Reynolds. This documentary does a very good job at breaking down the thirty-day shooting schedule of the film but what's better is getting to see how the two men became such great friends and what impact that one had on the other.
One of the highlights of the film is the fact that Needham finally gets some respect. We get to see various stunts that he did throughout his career and we get archival interviews with him as he talks about his stunt work and his dreams of becoming a director. We also get a breakdown of Reynolds early life, his football days and his rise in Hollywood.
There are some terrific stories told about the production of SMOKEY AND THE BANDIT including one stunt that went horribly wrong. There's some nice discussions about Jerry Reed, Sally Field as well as Jackie Gleason and what scene caused Reynolds to say he didn't want to do another scene with him.
THE BANDIT doesn't cover the sequels or any of the other films that the director and star made together but there's no question that this was fun and entertaining.
*** 1/2 (out of 4)
This here is an extremely entertaining look at the making of SMOKEY AND THE BANDIT but it's real goal is to show the friendship between its director Hal Needham and star Burt Reynolds.
THE BANDIT will certainly entertain fans of that film but it'll also appeal to fans of either Needham or Reynolds. This documentary does a very good job at breaking down the thirty-day shooting schedule of the film but what's better is getting to see how the two men became such great friends and what impact that one had on the other.
One of the highlights of the film is the fact that Needham finally gets some respect. We get to see various stunts that he did throughout his career and we get archival interviews with him as he talks about his stunt work and his dreams of becoming a director. We also get a breakdown of Reynolds early life, his football days and his rise in Hollywood.
There are some terrific stories told about the production of SMOKEY AND THE BANDIT including one stunt that went horribly wrong. There's some nice discussions about Jerry Reed, Sally Field as well as Jackie Gleason and what scene caused Reynolds to say he didn't want to do another scene with him.
THE BANDIT doesn't cover the sequels or any of the other films that the director and star made together but there's no question that this was fun and entertaining.