The Cannonball Run
6.2/10
Rating
95 min
Runtime
1981
Release Year
Hal Needham
Director
Cast
Burt Reynolds, Roger Moore, Farrah Fawcett, Dom DeLuise, Dean Martin
Quick Synopsis
The film follows a cross-country road race inspired by the real Cannonball Baker Sea to Shining Sea Memorial Trophy Dash, an event created by Brock Yates to challenge the 55 mph speed limit in the United States. Named after Erwin G. "Cannonball" Baker, a motorcyclist who famously rode across the country in the 1920s, the race features various characters whose disguises and tactics are drawn from those used by actual participants in the original races over the years.
Detailed Synopsis of The Cannonball Run
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.
