THE BANDIT - Burt Reynolds & Stuntman Hal Needham Star in New SMOKEY AND THE BANDIT Doc.

THE BANDIT is a documentary following 70’s superstar Burt Reynolds, his best friend, roommate and stunt-double Hal Needham, and the making of their unlikely smash hit “Smokey and The Bandit.” Filmmaker Jesse Moss shares rare archive material, including footage from Reynold’s personal archive, as well as candid interviews with the late Hal Needham forever capturing one of the strongest friendships in Hollywood’s history. Reynolds and Moss discuss completing the film, Needham’s remarkable stunt career and recall Reynolds controversial centerfold shoot for Cosmopolitan in this SXSW edition of BYOD hosted by Ondi Timoner.

Guest Bio

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.

Burt Reynolds is an American actor, director and producer. He starred in many television series and feature films, such as Deliverance (1972), The Longest Yard (1974) as well as its 2005 remake, Smokey and the Bandit (1977) and The Cannonball Run (1981). He also won two Golden Globe Awards, one for Best Actor in a Television Series Musical or Comedy for Evening Shade and one for Best Supporting Actor – Motion Picture for Boogie Nights.

Jesse Moss is a San Francisco-based filmmaker. His films include THE OVERNIGHTERS, which received the Special Jury Prize at the 2014 Sundance Film Festival, a DGA nomination, and was theatrically released by Drafthouse Films; FULL BATTLE RATTLE (SXSW Special Jury Prize); SPEEDO (SXSW 2003); and CON MAN, for HBO.