The Bandit
2016
Action / Documentary

The Bandit
2016
Action / Documentary
Plot summary
THE BANDIT is a film about 70s superstar Burt Reynolds, his best friend, roommate and stunt-double Hal Needham, and the making of their unlikely smash-hit SMOKEY & THE BANDIT. The film tells the action-packed story of the making of SMOKEY, while tracing the vivid personal journeys of Reynolds and Needham from obscurity to stardom and highlighting one of the most extraordinary relationships in Hollywood history. Featuring new interviews with Reynolds, rare archive material, including footage from Reynolds’ personal archive, as well as candid interviews with the late Hal Needham, the documentary tells an exhilarating and moving story about loyalty, friendship and creative risk.
Director
Tech specs
720p.BLU 1080p.BLUMovie Reviews
Great Look at Reynolds and Needham
The Bandit was a mostly fine behind-the-scenes take on Smokey and the Bandit as well as of star Burt Reynolds and director Hal Needham
After Burt Reynolds' death, I felt the need to watch Smokey and the Bandit again which I did and reviewed here a few days ago. Now I just saw this doc about the making of that movie and the life of both Reynolds and his friend, stunt man and director Hal Needham. They had known each other for years, in fact, they lived together for a while when both were single, and one day, Hal had an idea for a movie he wanted to make with Burt and also direct for the first time after so many years as a stunt man. Both their lives are explored, in fact, Burt's vintage interviews from years past are shown in addition to the current one he did for this special. One piece of film that seemed familiar to me was one where Hal does a car crash test in which an air bag explodes on him. Then I realized that particular film was shown in my high school driving class back in the '80s! There's also interviews with Hal's son and some of the crew of Smokey and the Bandit as well as one cast member I didn't immediately recognize, Little Enos himself, Paul Williams! There were also some vintage interview clips of Smokey himself, Jackie Gleason. In summary, I really enjoyed The Bandit.