Performance & Direction: The Great Smokey Roadblock Review
Last updated: February 5, 2026
Quick Verdict: Hit or Flop?
Is The Great Smokey Roadblock (1978) worth watching? According to our cinematic analysis, the film stands as a ABOVE AVERAGE with a verified audience rating of 5.6/10. Whether you're looking for the box office collection, ending explained, or parents guide, our review covers everything you need to know about this Action.
Cast Performances: A Masterclass
The success of any Action is often anchored by its ensemble, and The Great Smokey Roadblock features a noteworthy lineup led by Henry Fonda . Supported by the likes of Eileen Brennan and Austin Pendleton , the performances bring a palpable realism to the scripted words.
Performance Analysis: While the cast delivers competent and professional performances, they are occasionally hampered by a script that leans into familiar archetypes.
Final Verdict: Is it Worth Watching?
Story & Plot Summary: The Great Smokey Roadblock
Quick Plot Summary: The Great Smokey Roadblock is a Action, Comedy film that delivers highly intense sequences and pulse-pounding confrontations that keep viewers on the edge of their seats. This summary provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict and narrative structure.
Ending Explained: The Great Smokey Roadblock
Ending Breakdown: The Great Smokey Roadblock attempts to tie together its various plot elements. The finale presents its approach to action resolution.
The climactic sequence delivers on the escalating tension, offering viewers material for post-viewing discussion.
Ending Analysis:
- Narrative Resolution: The story concludes by addressing its primary narrative threads, providing closure while maintaining some ambiguity.
- Character Arcs: Character journeys reach their narrative endpoints, reflecting the film's thematic priorities.
- Thematic Payoff: The ending reinforces the action themes established throughout the runtime.
The final moments of The Great Smokey Roadblock reflect the filmmakers' creative choices, offering an ending that aligns with the film's tone and style.
Who Should Watch The Great Smokey Roadblock?
Consider Watching If:
- You're a completist for Action films
- You're curious despite mixed reviews
- You have low expectations and want casual entertainment
Top Cast: The Great Smokey Roadblock
All Cast & Crew →
Where to Watch The Great Smokey Roadblock Online?
Streaming Hub📺 Stream on
Amazon Prime Video
Amazon Prime Video with AdsThe Great Smokey Roadblock Parents Guide & Age Rating
1978 AdvisoryWondering about The Great Smokey Roadblock age rating or if it's safe for kids? Here is our cinematic advisory:
⏱️ Runtime & Duration
The total runtime of The Great Smokey Roadblock is 104 minutes (1h 44m). Ensuring you have enough time for the full cinematic experience.
Verdict Summary
Analyzing the overall audience sentiment, verified rating of 5.6/10, and global performance metrics, The Great Smokey Roadblock is classified as a ABOVE AVERAGE. It remains an essential part of the 1978 cinematic calendar.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is The Great Smokey Roadblock worth watching?
The Great Smokey Roadblock is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Action movies. It has a verified rating of 5.6/10 and stands as a ABOVE AVERAGE in our box office analysis.
Where can I find The Great Smokey Roadblock parents guide and age rating?
The official parents guide for The Great Smokey Roadblock identifies it as PG. Our detailed advisory section above covers all content warnings for families.
What is the total runtime of The Great Smokey Roadblock?
The total duration of The Great Smokey Roadblock is 104 minutes, which is approximately 1h 44m long.
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Critic Reviews for The Great Smokey Roadblock
_**Comedic road flick about a Trucker’s final run with Henry Fonda**_ A dying trucker (Henry Fonda) throws caution to the wind by stealing back his repossessed semi and venturing his last haul across the country with a Bible-spouting sidekick (Robert Englund), a madam (Eileen Brennan) and her six girls. "The Great Smokey Roadblock" (1977) was originally titled “The Last of the Cowboys” and was presumably changed to take advantage of the success of “Smokey and the Bandit.” While this one focuses on a trucker and a band of prostitutes, it’s just as entertaining as that more popular road farce and maybe a smidgen more. The movie repeatedly points out that Fonda’s character is 60 years old, but he was actually 71 during filming and looked it. Don’t get me wrong, he looked good for his age and had his usual charisma, but he didn’t look 60, unless he had lived a very hard life. Curvy Daina House is the highlight on the feminine front, but I strangely found grumpy Alice (Mews Small) notable too. Susan Sarandon is also on hand before she made it big. Actually the entire female cast is entertaining because they’re fleshed out as individuals. The geography is disingenuous as Northern California is passed off for places like Missouri, the Smokey Mountains and the Carolina coast. Yet even big budget movies back then did this, let alone small flicks like this one. The film runs 1 hour, 44 minutes, and was shot in Oroville, California. GRADE: B-
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This review has been verified for accuracy and editorial quality by our senior cinematic analysts.
This analysis is compiled by our editorial experts using multi-source verification and audience sentiment data for maximum accuracy.
