Smokey and the Bandit II (1980)

20% of critics liked it
(5 reviews)
54% of users liked it
(32,917 ratings)

Former stuntman Hal Needham made his directorial debut with the first Smokey and the Bandit (1977) and repeated his success with the sequel, a virtual remake that substituted a live elephant for a truckload of beer. Burt Reynolds returns as law-defying anti-hero Bandit, now a washed-up alcoholic… More Former stuntman Hal Needham made his directorial debut with the first Smokey and the Bandit (1977) and repeated his success with the sequel, a virtual remake that substituted a live elephant for a truckload of beer. Burt Reynolds returns as law-defying anti-hero Bandit, now a washed-up alcoholic whose girlfriend Carrie (Sally Field) has left him. When a pair of eccentric, wealthy brothers named Big Enos (Pat McCormick) and Little Enos (Paul Williams) approach Bandit with an offer of work, he and trucker pal Cledus (Jerry Reed) jump at the chance. The gig involves transporting an elephant to the Republican National Convention in twenty-four hours. The wrinkle is that the pachyderm is about to give birth -- any minute. Enter "Doc" (Dom DeLuise) a bizarre medical man who joins the team to care for the expectant mother, and Sheriff Buford T. Justice (Jackie Gleason), who has not forgotten the humiliations that he suffered during Bandit's last "mission." Needham's films were instantly forgettable cocktails of car chases, car crashes, and lowbrow humor. Reynolds and Needham teamed up over a dozen times in various action comedy pictures. Audiences of the late Seventies loved their anti-authority redneck humor and made their early collaborations into box office smashes. ~ Karl Williams, Rovi

Play Trailer

Rating, Runtime: PG, 1 hr. 41 min.
Directed By: Hal Needham
Genres: Action & Adventure, Comedy

In Theaters: Aug 15, 1980 Wide
On DVD: Jun 3, 2003
Studio: MCA Universal Home Video

Critic Reviews

Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times
How can I say it's lazy when it has 50 trucks doing stunts in it? Because it takes a lot less thought to fill up a movie with stunts than to create a comedy that's genuinely funny.
Chuck O'Leary, FulvueDrive-in.com
Fizzles badly after a hilarious first half-hour or so.
Kevin A. Ranson, MovieCrypt.com
Sadly cashes in on the original.
Staci Layne Wilson, StaciWilson.com
Burt and Sally, say it ain't so!
Widgett Walls, Needcoffee.com
It's basically the same film all over again, with some attempts at advancing the characters--but they're just that: attempts.

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Featured Audience Ratings

Anthony L

A little less fun and a lot more dumb. The inclusion of Dom DeLuise was welcome but it was just a shame he wasn't on form. My favourite bit was the little cartoon of them driving round the universal logo, so that probably tells you everything you need to know, although the over… More
A little less fun and a lot more dumb. The inclusion of Dom DeLuise was welcome but it was just a shame he wasn't on form. My favourite bit was the little cartoon of them driving round the universal logo, so that probably tells you everything you need to know, although the over the top car smash up at the end is still pretty cool.
Derek D

Another go-round with the Bandit and Snowmand transporting goods cross-country illegally. This time it's a pregnant elephant and it plays out very much like the first, so not much is really new. The laughs and action scenes are here, but it seems like we've seen all this… More
Another go-round with the Bandit and Snowmand transporting goods cross-country illegally. This time it's a pregnant elephant and it plays out very much like the first, so not much is really new. The laughs and action scenes are here, but it seems like we've seen all this before.
Jason O

Not as good as the first one, but still great stuff! This is the one with the elephant, and Burt Reynolds as a drunk after he and Field broke up. The part where all the 18 wheelers take on a hoard of police cars was excellently done and I'd call it classic!
Megan S

Yes a ridiculous premise but still enjoyable anyway.
xGary X

The usual mix of rednecks, car chases and stunts. Watch an episode of The Dukes Of Hazzard instead. It's shorter.
Jason S

The bandit transports an elephant. It was ok and was even funny at parts but I would rather watch the first one.
Lee K

One star less, but still great! It only gets 1 star less due too the fact that i didnt like the elephant cargo storyline. However brilliant stuff once again from Jackie Gleason as cranky as hell Buford T. Justice, god if any role was actually tailor made for an actor it wouldve been… More
One star less, but still great! It only gets 1 star less due too the fact that i didnt like the elephant cargo storyline. However brilliant stuff once again from Jackie Gleason as cranky as hell Buford T. Justice, god if any role was actually tailor made for an actor it wouldve been this one for Jackie. this movie was actually the very first movie for me in the 80's and i often forget it wasnt a 70's one along with its predecessor. Great film but do yourself a favor and leave the series here and go no further, part 3 is a Burt Reynolds less fiasco!
Barry L

Still brilliant.