Summary

• Bandit is a relatable antihero driven by money and fun, not forgiveness.
• Sheriff Buford T. Justice's stupidity and idiocy make him lovably funny.
• Smokey and the Bandit combines impressive stunts with hilarious, memorable lines.

As one of the biggest comedy movies of the 1970s, there are endless Smokey and the Bandit quotes that solidify its legacy. Starring Burt Reynolds and comedy legend Jackie Gleason, the 1977 comedy was a light-hearted and hilarious ride about a fast-driving outlaw driving a trailer full of beer across state lines with a determined sheriff on his tail. The best of the collaborations between Burt Reynolds and director Hal Needham, Smokey and the Bandit is full of great car stunts and catchy songs as well as some of the most memorable lines ever to be heard on film.

Though most people might remember the over-the-top and thrilling action scenes the most, these quotes bring back memories of the movie's great comedy. From the iconic Bandit himself to Jackie Gleason's Sheriff Buford T. Justice, quotes from Smokey and the Bandit defy generational barriers and the overall ravages of time to be some of the most well-remembered lines from movie history even if younger viewers might not know where these lines come from.

20 "For The Good Old American Life. For The Money, The Glory, And The Fun. Mostly For The Money."

Bandit (Burt Reynolds)

One of the most impressive things about Smokey and the Bandit is how effective and entertaining the movie can be while being so simple. It has a barebones plot which pretty much just amounts to one big car chase which works for the kind of movie it is trying to be. When it comes to the main hero's motivations, the movie is once again happy to keep things charmingly simple.

As Burt Reynolds' most iconic role, Bandit capitalized on the actor's everyman appeal mixed with movie star charm. The character is a lowkey outlaw who often borders on being an antihero in the movie while never losing his likability. He asks for no forgiveness for his crimes and he never needs it. The Bandit barely even pretends that he's in it for anything more than the money, and it only serves to make him more relatable to the audience.

19 "Well, That's The Reason, Son."

Bandit (Burt Reynolds)

At the beginning of the adventure, the Bandit's partner in crime, Snowman, is a little skeptical about the impossible task before them. While Bandit sees it as a great adventure with good money on the other side, Snowman needs a little more reason to take the risk. In their musical back-and-forth radio manner, the two answer why they'd even try to such a difficult run like the one they'd been tasked with.

The sentiment at the heart of the exchange forms part of the chorus of the movie's most famous song 'East Bound and Down,' sung by Snowman actor Jerry Reed. These fun-loving rebels are going to do it simply because everyone else says that it can't be done. In the end, the challenge of seeing it done and pulling off this ambitious feat is enough to convince Snowman it is a ride worth taking after all.

18 "The God***n Germans Got Nothin' To Do With It!"

Buford T. Justice (Jackie Gleason)

Sheriff Buford T. Justice is a classic movie buffoon who certainly ridicules many of the Southern United States' most backward stereotypes, but he remains somewhat lovable through sheer relatable idiocy. Gleason is a standout member of the Smokey and the Bandit cast with his performance that fully embraces this lawman's stupidity.

In this hilarious response, Justice hears another police officer use the word "germane," which Justice clearly fails to understand the meaning of and questions why he's even bringing up the Germans. However, he is the kind of loud and boisterous person who remains as ignorant as always because of the fact that his underlings are too intimidated to point out the fact that he is wrong. It makes him a great villain who is constantly making a fool of himself even though he sees himself as the hero.

17 "When You Tell Somebody Somethin', It Depends On Which Part Of The United States You're Standing In As To Just How Dumb You Are."

Bandit (Burt Reynolds)

Burt Reynolds' The Bandit isn't without his moments of wisdom, despite his playful charms and easygoing attitude to most things. When he and Carrie (Sally Field) are comparing tastes to find out how much they have in common, it turns out that they aren't aware at all of each other's heroes and influences. Carrie has a more Northern mindset, with a nearly-missed dream of being on Broadway, and the Bandit is purely Southern.

While some people might see this as a sign of incompatibility, Bandit is not worried at all about it and simply chalks it up to part of being in the complex nation of America. This observation quite elegantly sums up the differences between American cultures. The play on Northern and Southern attitudes is a version of the classic Odd Couple here, and works incredibly well.

16 "Oh, I Can Drive Any Forkin' Thing Around."

Bandit (Burt Reynolds)

The Bandit is such a fun character for the audience because he's always cracking wise and even playing around with words. When he and Snowman are loading the beer up for their run, he delivers a great pun. Driving the forklift with a concerned Snowman attached, Bandit assures him that his skills with fork-based vehicles are top-notch.

Burt Reynolds nails the quick-witted delivery of the character, and the outlaw driver gave Reynolds several of his most memorable movie quotes. The Bandit makes this whole adventure a lot more fun simply because, even with the big risks he is taking, he is clearly having a lot of fun and is willing to crack some jokes along the way. He is like a big kid who is just looking for ways to have the best time.

15 "Now Hear This, You Thick Turd. I'm Gonna Get You."

Buford T. Justice (Jackie Gleason)

One of the funniest things about Sheriff Buford T. Justice is his adherence to old-fashioned niceties and etiquette, despite his obviously unpleasant demeanor. A part of him really does think that he's the hero and it's almost strangely endearing. After Bandit reminds Sheriff Justice to mind his language over the radio, he makes this hilarious apology before sneering his gross insult down the receiver.

Once again, it is a testament to Gleason's brilliant comedic delivery that the line works so well while "thick turd" is a hilariously childish insult from a grown man. The way Bandit can get under the skin of the already cranky lawman is one of the reasons these two characters make for such a fun protagonist and antagonist pair. Buford may not be as likable as Bandit but he is arguably even funnier.

14 "Hold Up On That Car Wash Gentlemen."

Buford T. Justice (Jackie Gleason)

Buford makes a memorable entrance into the movie as a fun villain, with his first line suggesting he might be a truly intimidating lawman. He only happens to get mixed up in The Bandit's mission when he goes in search of his son's runaway bride, Carrie. This initially sets him to target a trio of young vandals who come across Carrie's abandoned car and begin stripping it for parts.

The way Buford gets out of his car, unbuckles his gun holster, and lights a cigarette makes it clear that this is a lawman who enjoys teaching lawbreakers a lesson. While the rest of the movie betrays this moment of seriousness by showing him to be a messy, clumsy, and dumb villain, Gleason makes for a very memorable entrance into the movie that quickly makes it clear he is going to be a lot of fun.

13 "I Hope Your Goddamn Head Was In It."

Buford T. Justice (Jackie Gleason)

One key element to every Smokey and the Bandit movie is the dynamic between Sheriff Justice and his son Junior, the physically imposing yet even more dim-witted brute with a child-like mind. Sheriff Justice really is quite horrible to his son throughout the course of the movie, leading to many of the funniest lines. Junior is no hero, but he's clearly not very bright and just wants to make his father proud of him.

When Junior loses his hat, Sheriff Justice's response, hoping that Junior's head was in it, is as mean as it is funny. It is a brilliant addition to the story to have someone riding along with Buford to allow Gleason the opportunity to play off with his boisterous insults and fits of anger. In many ways., Junior gets even more punishment from Buford than The Bandit does.

12 "I Saw 'Em Do It In Movies."

Bandit (Burt Reynolds)