The Cannonball Run

1981 95 min ★ 6.2 Action, Comedy, Family

A cross-country road race is based on an actual event, the Cannonball Baker Sea to Shining Sea Memorial Trophy Dash, organized by Brock Yates to protest the 55 mph speed limit then in effect in the U.S. The Cannonball was named for Erwin G. "Cannonball" Baker, who in the roaring 20's rode his motorcycle across the country. Many of the characters are based on ruses developed by real Cannonball racers over the several years that the event was run.

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Cast

Burt Reynolds

J.J. McClure

Roger Moore

Seymour

Farrah Fawcett

Pamela

Dom DeLuise

Victor

Dean Martin

Jamie Blake

Sammy Davis Jr.

Fenderbaum

Jack Elam

Doctor

Adrienne Barbeau

Marcie

Terry Bradshaw

Terry

Jackie Chan

Subaru Driver #1

Details

Director

Hal Needham

Screenplay

Brock Yates

Tagline

"You'll root for them all...but you'll never guess who wins."

Status

Released

Original Language

EN

Budget

$18,000,000

Revenue

$72,179,579

Production

Orange Sky Golden Harvest, Albert S. Ruddy Productions

Reviews

C

CinemaSerf

December 16, 2024

★ 6/10

Though some of the wheezes employed by the drivers do raise a smile or two, this really doesn't catch fire as Burt Reynolds' brand of mischievous charm struggles to hold it together. He and his pal "Victor" (Dom DeLuise) are determined to win the eponymous, infamous and illegal transcontinental dash - and hit on the idea of commandeering an ambulance so they can blue-light their way across their c...