MovieChat Forums > Smokey and the Bandit Part 3 (1983) Discussion > How the Reynolds cameo could have worked...

How the Reynolds cameo could have worked better

posted 12 years ago by glemay25
8 replies | jump to latest

If Burt Reynolds was only willing to do a 2 min cameo then I think it would be much better this way-As Sheriff Justice was about to arrest the Jerry Reed Bandit then another black car pulls up suddenly and The Real Bandit comes out
and says "looking for me Buford" and gives a thumbs up to Reed. Justice then gets in his car and chases Reynolds as the movie ends. I think this way would
provide perfect closure to this trilogy and makes much more sense than Reed magically turning into Reynolds. I loved the first Smokey & Bandit but both these sequels are heavlily flawed (esp 3). I think doing the Real Bandit cameo
this way would give the series proper closure. Anyone agree?

[–] jasoncampbell05 12 years ago

That does sound better. What I dont understand is why they trimmed down the cameo in the theatrical version. In the version shown on tv, Burt has a much longer cameo.

[–] glemay25 12 years ago

I saw both versions of the cameo and in this case, the longer was def better.
Reynolds was always meant to be star and if they had him for only 2 min then
by all means milk that 2 min for all its worth. The only thing id change is to
make the cameo more logical-Reynolds driving by to save Reed's Bandit from
Jutice instead of Reynolds magically appearing in an unexplained vision

[–] jasoncampbell05 12 years ago

I believe that the Burt magically appearing was a way to get past Gleason essentially talking to himself, since he played both roles in the original film. Once they brought Reed in to reshoot the Bandit scenes, the magically appearing Burt still worked, but I think your idea would have been a lot better.

[–] glemay25 12 years ago

The Reynold's vision might have made a tad more sense in the duel Gleason version. I really wish there was a special DVD with both fims to satify my
curosity. It might not have been a better film but id love to see Gleason
try to carry the whole movie by himself.

[–] jasoncampbell05 12 years ago

I agree that the original version should be released. Hopefully, one day Universal will give the series the proper treatment and release a full special edition Blu Ray set that will include tons of extras and the original "Smokey is the Bandit".

[–] TopBoost 12 years ago

Yep. Your idea does make much more cinematic and logical sense.

[–] Nutsferatu 12 years ago

Your suggestion is obviously more literal, and perhaps more appropriate to the movie's tone in general, but I actually prefer the ending as it is. The Bandit is Buford's Moby Dick. He is essentially chasing himself (which would have made sense in the context of Gleason playing both roles). There is something metaphysical about the pursuit through the three movies. When Buford sees The Bandit instead of Cledus, his wishful thinking transposes the image of his eternal nemesis onto Cledus. The sheriff will forever be chasing his white whale/black Trans Am.

It may seem as though I've put a lot of thought into this, but really I haven't. I just thought the ending worked very well.

[–] Seanpdineen 12 years ago

I agree as the song said, "A hot chase was heaven". Its like Lee calling out for AP Hill on his death bed.