Welcome! This page is a behind-the-scenes look at one of the most ambitious parts of our upcoming documentary, Lightning in a Bottle: The Making of Smokey and the Bandit.
Our goal is to reconstruct the complete filming schedule of Smokey and the Bandit—day by day, scene by scene, and location by location—using production documents, photographs, interviews, newspaper archives, and firsthand accounts from the people who were there.
This timeline is a living research project. As new evidence is uncovered and new stories emerge, dates, locations, and details will continue to be refined. Many of our biggest discoveries have come from fans, cast and crew members, local residents, and people who happened to witness the filming nearly 50 years ago.
We're sharing our research as it develops so you can follow along, explore the evidence, and perhaps even help solve a few mysteries. If you recognize a location, have a story to tell, or can help identify a date, vehicle, or person, we'd love to hear from you. Every new clue helps us build a more complete picture of how Smokey and the Bandit came to life.
If you'd like to contribute to the project or share information, please email us at research@banone.net. We read every message and appreciate every lead, no matter how small.
Thank you for visiting, and we hope you'll enjoy exploring the timeline as the project continues to grow.
Begin the Journey
The production of Smokey and the Bandit spanned six remarkable weeks during the late summer and early fall of 1976. Follow along as the story unfolds—from the earliest planning stages through the final day of filming.
Each chapter includes filming locations, production notes, behind-the-scenes photographs, newspaper coverage, and the latest research for that period.
Pre-Production
July 30 – August 29, 1976
Every movie begins long before the cameras roll. Explore the weeks leading up to production as locations were scouted, vehicles prepared, cast assembled, and the foundation was laid for one of the most memorable productions of the 1970s.
** Production Timeline - Pre-Production**
Week One
August 30 – September 5, 1976
The cameras begin rolling. Follow the cast and crew through the first week of filming as production gets underway and the adventure officially begins.
Week Two
September 7 – September 12, 1976
Production finds its rhythm as filming moves between locations and more of the movie's unforgettable moments begin taking shape.
Week Three
September 13 – September 19, 1976
One of the busiest weeks of production features major stunt work, memorable filming locations, and several scenes that fans still recognize today.
Week Four
September 20 – September 26, 1976
The journey continues across Georgia as production presses forward, capturing more of the action, comedy, and character that would define the finished film.
Week Five
September 27 – October 3, 1976
With the finish line in sight, the cast and crew tackle the remaining scenes while the production enters its final stretch.
Week Six
October 4 – October 10, 1976
The final chapter. Principal photography comes to an end after six extraordinary weeks, bringing the production to a close and setting the stage for a movie that would soon become a cultural phenomenon.
