Yes, but I can't help but notice that out of all the old movies that have been remade in the last decade, Smokey and the Bandit has never been remade. Yet, anyway. And I think if it was, it would get classified as yet another car movie. And it would never compare with the original.

The original Bandit movie had some of the biggest stars of the day. Burt Reynolds, Jackie Gleason, Sally Field, and Jerry Reed. The only things most people currently under the age of 20 know about Smokey and the Bandit are Burt Reynolds and a black T/A. If they even know that much.

But with the Dukes of Hazard being re-made into a movie in recent years, even if they don't know the names John Schneider, Tom Wopat, James Best, Sorrell Brooke, and Catharine Bach; they know the show and the characters and of course the car. The Dukes has made a more lasting impression on society. Case in point: "Daisy Dukes" The shorts worn even today, named after the tv character.

I have to think that if Bandit was so great, it would've lasted the test of time better than it did. There's plenty of tv shows that didn't stand the test of time either. Plus, look at Star Wars. It was so hugely popular it got 5 sequals, and everyone knows who Darth Vader is. So it's not just a tv versus movie thing.

From a car stand point, I like both. And would take both in a heartbeat. But in my opinion, the 69 Charger is by far a bigger icon than the 77 T/A.

 

I have to agree and disagree. Smokey and the Bandit is and was a great movie and it related well to the time in which it was made. Most of that isn't relevant any longer. Nobody relates to CB radio, booze restrictions, and big rigs. The over zealous cop thing is still relevant but most of the rest of it doesn't apply in today's world. If you change the plot considerably you might get a remake but then it wouldn't be true to the original. I don't see it getting done. As with the Duke Boys you can still envision them is some back woods area of the country messing with a local sheriff. They can't outrun a radio but possibly a stupid cop.

 

I think you hit the nail on the head perfectly. Which is why I think anyone who wasn't around in the 70's either doesn't know about Smokey and the Bandit, or doesn't get it.

I know the plot of the original Dukes of Hazard tv show isn't completely relevant anymore either. With the whole moonshine and "revenoo-ers" thing. I never knew that one of the original feuds was between Uncle Jesse and Boss Hogg; who were friends at one time. But according to an episode I saw on DVD, Boss Hogg was mad that Uncle Jesse decided to farm livestock instead of crops. Boss Hogg wanted to get the farm away from Jesse, so he could make it a crop farm again. I'm sure other episodes gave other reasons also. I just remember that one because it seemed like a stupid premise for a show. But when I watched the show first-run on tv as a kid, I didn't care what the premise was. I just wanted to see the car chases, and of course, Daisy! (hey -- we didn't have internet back then)