The third installment of a film series that starred the late Burt Reynolds shot several scenes in the Ocala area exactly 42 years ago.
Smokey and the Bandit Part 3 was filmed between late October and January 1983, according to records from the International Movie Database (IMDb). The movie was released in August 1983.
The third installment of the series stars Jackie Gleason, Jerry Reed, and Paul Williams. Although Reynolds did not have a starring role in the film, he did make a brief appearance at the end.
Gleason was originally cast to play both the role of Buford and the titular “Bandit,” but portions of the film were reshot in April 1983 after the film tested poorly with audiences.
The film follows Sheriff Buford T. Justice (Gleason) as he and his son attempt to drive from Miami to a ranch in Texas in a given amount of time to deliver a shark in exchange for $250,000.
Smokey and the Bandit Part 3 was shot in various locations across the state of Florida, with scenes in Miami Beach, Fort Lauderdale, and Clearwater. Exterior scenes in the movie were filmed in Silver Springs, according to IMDb.
According to financial records from BoxOfficeMojo.com, the film cost an estimated $9 million to produce and generated worldwide box office earnings of just over $5.6 million.
The film is one of over two dozen movies and television series over the past 100 years that have featured scenes at Silver Springs.
That includes Legend, a Tom Cruise-led film that shot underwater scenes at Silver Springs State Park.
