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The Longest Yard (Lockdown Edition)

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In the 1970's, there was a small genre of movies, that the studios released, that could best be termed, football comedies. These were a series of films that sort of aped the spirit of Jim Bouton's best selling baseball book, "Ball Four" about the rowdy and scatalogical antics of modern day pro-athletes. Most movie fans consider three films to be the best of this genre. They include "North Dallas Fourty", "Semi-Tough" and of course "The Longest Yard". When it comes to "North Dallas Fourty", I have to be truthful and admit that I've never seen it. I really can't make an informed opinion about it. But,"Semi-Tough really is a very funny film comedy. But let's face it...it's not really about football. It's more of a satire of the 'self-help/feel good' movements (such as E.S.T.) that were all the rage in the 1970's. That leaves, what I like to think of as the gold standard of football movie comedies, "The Longest Yard". This hilarious film is basically M*A*S*H* on steroids. A group of people trapped in a situation trying to relieve their boredom & frustrations through off-color jokes, rowdy antics and a love for football (for those who have never seen it, the film, M*A*S*H* ends in a humourously rowdy, football game). "The Longest Yard" is about Paul Crewe (Burt Reynolds) a former superstar, pro quarterback, who is living life as a disgraced, has-been. After a drunken fight with his wealthy girlfriend and a wild police chase in a stolen Mazardi, he finds himself looking at eighteen months of hard time in a Florida correctional facility. But this isn't just any prison. Apparently both the guards, the inmates and especially the nefarious Warden (Eddie Albert) take their football, waaaayyyy to seriously! The Warden hatches a plan for Crewe to put together and play with a team of felons in a tune-up game against his own semi-pro team made up of the brutally, sadistic guards. What starts out as a supposedly, friendly (and very funny) game soon devolves into a brutal, grudge match in which the Warden attempts to humiliate the Cons and send a message to the rest of the prison population. It's up to Crewe to keep this from happening. This is a great film with a plot (and hard hitting, realistic game), that gets the viewer really involved. I mean what film do you know, where the good guys are unrepented hard core felons (refered to by the hypocritical guards as "scum of the Earth") and we want to root for them? The film is helmed by an excellent cast playing interesting characters. Burt Reynolds plays a man, who when under presure finally learns, that there is more to life than just thinking about himself. This is probably Reynold's best acting job in any of his film comedies (he only breaks himself up once). His only better work has been in dramas such as "Deliverance" & "Boogie Nights". Eddie Albert is also great as the evil Warden, who on one hand, publicly spouts speeches about the "All-American" values and virtues of the game of football, but is privately more than willing to vindictively lie and cheat, all in the name of winning. Other standouts in the cast include Robert Tessier as Shockner, a silent, Karate chopping, psychopath and 7'2" Richard Kiel (in a pre James Bond role) as a giant, violent prisoner, who hilariously dosn't seem to know his own strength. Also look for Bernadette Peters in a brief, sexy cameo (and a huge B-52 hairdo) as the Warden's amorous secretary. If you like football movies or just plain gut-busting, funny movie comedies (or both) than get "The Longest Yard"! Great movie! Highly recommended!

Robert Aldrich's greatest gift as a film director was his ability to show bad boys and nonconformists in such a sympathetic light. "The Longest Yard" features Reynolds before he traded on his bad boyish charm in all his film roles. Paul Crewe (Burt Reynolds) is a former bad boy football player who ends up in prison for "stealing" his girlfriend's car. His life has fallen apart since he was banned from the game for shaving points.Crewe is pressured by the Warden (Eddie Albert)to coach the guards' semi-pro team to earn a national title. When he refuses (out of preservation for his own skin) Crewe must lead the team of prisoners (called "The Mean Machine") against the guards in an exhibition game where the prisoners are expected to lose. Crewe has a couple of surprises in store for the Warden. The good news about this remake is that it prompted the studio to re-release this classic film. I have no idea if the remake is any good as of yet but we do have the classic original in top form.

An exceptionally nice transfer from Paramount, "The Longest Yard" has some minor issues with grain (that's not a flaw in the transfer I might add but it can be minimized during the transfer or made much, much worse) but that's probably due to the type of film and its age. The image quality is exceptionally good with such robust colors you can almost feel the humidity. The mono sound is a bit flat but with clear dialogue.

Three featurettes are highlights of this re-release. "Doing Time" features Reynolds and Ruddy discussing the making of the movie. The fact that Reynolds played college ball was an advantage for him in the role. Sports Illustrated writer Michael Silver discusses how nasty Paul Crewe is yet we forgive him because he's so funny and charming. The sports writers interviewed for the disc point out that watching Reynolds on the field its clear that he played college ball. "Unleashing The Mean Machine" we hear from a variety of pro players and sports writers discussing what makes "The Longest Yard" the best football movie ever made. Ruddy points out how he managed to convince Jimmy Carter (governor at the time of Georgia). Reynolds comments on his first meeting with Carter. The soon-to-be President of the United States told Reynolds that if Reynolds was taken prisoner, "if they take you hostage I will take your place gladly." Aldrich turned to Reynolds after and told him, "this man will be President some day. He's lying through his teeth beautifully".

A new and fun commentary track with producer Albert S. Ruddy ("The Godfather") and star Burt Reynolds discussing the making of the movie is a highlight of this classic 1974 film. Shot on location Reynolds in the South, Reynolds comments frequently about the difficult working conditions shooting in the swamp. He never knew when and if they might have a cottonmouth show up. Reynolds and many of the actors actually stayed at the former prison where they shot the film. Reynolds points out the various former pro and college football players that appear in the film. They discuss the prep for shooting the big game and how they pulled the illusion together for this film.

A classic film gets a classy presentation on DVD. An excellent commentary track by Reynolds and Ruddy are a highlight of this terrific reissue on DVD. Two very good featurettes on the making of the movie and one where pros and writers comment on reality of what you see in the film.

First off, I love the original film "The Longest Yard." However, as some of you have already pointed out, this "Special Home Video Version" has been tampered with to the point of ruining the film for long-time fans. As already pointed out, the closing song "You Gotta Be a Football Hero" had been changed to "When The Saints Go Marching In," and a scene with Crewe and the Warden has been deleted. That's bad news! What I don't think anyone has mentioned is that the song "Saturday Night Special" was playing in the original film when Paul Crewe has the car chase with the police, then dumps his car into the bay. This song was cut out of the lousy, worthless "Home Video Version." Sorry I can't be more positive. But this film should either be restored or discontinued to save people from throwing away their money.

Dear Paramount....please restore this film!

I want to make the argument that "The Longest Yard" is an important film in the history of the movies because this 1974 comedy represents the point in cinematic history where a guy getting hit between the legs was funny for the last time. To be specific it was the moment in the film where it happened for the second time, which was even funnier than the first time it had happened, which was just a minute earlier in the movie. Ever since then I have not found these scenes to be anywhere near as funny because all such efforts are just pale imitations of what happens here.

"The Longest Yard" is solid B-movie material from start to finish. Burt Reynolds is Paul Crewe, a former pro quarterback who was banned from the sport for shaving points and ended up in prison for having some fun with the cops joy riding. In a nice example of casting against type Eddie Albert is the sadistic warden who is quite proud of the football team he has put together from the prison guards. So he decides that Crewe should put together a team from the prisoners for a friendly little game of football. Crewe is inclined not to be accommodating, but the warden, no doubt sensing a failure to communicate, persuades the ex-jock to get with the game plan.

We have to go through some rather trite and tired routines as Crewe puts together his team just so we can get to the fun part of the movie, which is the big football game. Obviously the cons are playing for self-respect and if the warden is stupid enough to give them the opportunity to pay back the guards for their brutal treatment under the guise of a football game, then we should just enjoy the fun. The set up might be stupid, but the game itself is one of the better staged pigskin competitions we have seen in a movie to date. Besides, the Mean Machine uses the drop kick, which I have always wanted to see ever since I read about it in "Gil Thorp" way back when. Certainly director Robert Aldrich takes the time to play the came and he makes excellent use of the split-screen to avoid having to constantly cut between the action on the field and the drama on the sidelines.

Reynolds is certainly the star of the film (he tells his team, "The most important thing to remember is: to protect your quarterback. ME!"), and the ex-Florida State football player certainly makes for a believable jock on the field (hey, the guy was drafted by the Baltimore Colts), while Albert clearly relishes the chance to forget all about Eva Gabor and have fun with the dark side. "Iron" Mike Conrad, before he became a cult figure as Sgt. Esterhaus on "Hill Street Blues," has a memorable turn as Nate Scarboro, one of the cons whose knees are not as strong as his heart so he has to settle for being the coach of the Mean Machine. Ed Lauter is Captain Knauer, the head of the guards, who manages not to be a total jerk about what is going on in the end as the film goes for one last over the top moment at the end.

Not to be mistaken for high art, "The Longest Yard" is a party film, perfect when you are in the mood for a little football. It was actually up for an Oscar for Best Film Editing (Michael Luciano), undoubtedly for that split screen work, and even won a Golden Globe for Best Motion Picture Musical/Comedy (beating out "The Front Page," "Harry and Tonto," "The Little Prince" and "The Three Musketeers"). Having already been made as a soccer (the other "football" movie, "Mean Machine"), "The Longest Yard" is about to be released with Adam Sandler and James Cromwell squaring off (Burt Reynolds is along for the ride as Coach Nate Scarboro). I wonder if Brian Bosworth played "Kill the Star" with Sandler the way Ray Nitschke did with Reynolds in the original. There could be some very interesting outtakes on that DVD down the road.

When a former and Pro Football player named Paul Crewe (Burt Reynolds), who actually steals his girlfriend's car and ended up going to Prison. When a sadistic Warden (Eddie Albert), who ends up, double crossing him to teach, train and play-Football against the Prison Guards. With not much of a Chance, Paul rediscover for the love of the game and his chance to redeem himself.

Directed by Robert Aldrich (What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?, The Dirty Dozen, The Killing of Sister George) made a clever funny sport drama film with a different attitude and feel also. Reynolds also shines is his Lead Performance, which seems to be his Best Role ever. This has a likable supporting cast also. James Hampton (Sling Blade, Teen Wolf) is terrific as Reynolds's Prison Buddy. The film's split image and cinematography has dated a bit. The Spirit of the flick is still intact. It's a expectional flick with a heart and soul. Written by Tracy Keenan Wynn (Who also wrote a Remake of British Version of the Longest Yard) from a Story by Albert S. Ruddy (Bad Girls). Grade:A-.

The only complaint I have regarding this rewatchable gem is what the studio has done to it. 1 scene has been dropped involving Crewe(Reynolds) and Hazen(Albert), and the music and credits have been altered. Original "You've Got to be a Football Hero" was much, much better than "Saints go Marchin in"!!
Please Paramount release a new DVD with the original footage and music(like it was in the theatres) including some extras. This DVD has no extras!I'm sure there are some interesting tidbits of behind the scenes involving the making of this one. I was only 5 years old in 74 and since it is rated R, I never saw it in theatres, needless to say I have never seen the original trailer or even a teaser trailer.I disagree with one reviewer, though, regarding one of the actors. This reviewer claims that Enos from Dukes of Hazzard plays one of the inmates, and I know that the "Enos" actor is not in this one.
Filmed on location at the Georgia State Prison at the time that Jimmy Carter was Governor, and film also includes 3 actors from Smokey and the Bandit(Reynolds, Mike Henry, and Alfie Wise).

I was intrigued to see this film again after the "remake" popped up in 2005. Scanning all the video stores and shops in Cape Town to try and find a copy. Unfortunately to no avail. That was until the "Lock-Down" Special Edition popped up - obviously to remind us all that before Adam Sandlers version, or Vinnie Jones... it was Burt "Deliverance/The Bandit" Reynolds who delivered the blows in one of the all time great prison football movies.
I was very impressed that a film made 31 years ago still had some kick!!! Lets be honest, you are not going to get "Matrix" style footage, no overly impressive slow-mo's or thumping music - but take it for what Robert Aldrich had hoped we would. A cleverly made action-comedy that offers a great way to escape for 2 hours. The film has under-tones of the Dirty Dozen coming through - recruiting a bunch of misfits for an all out spectacular mission. In this case, turning the tables on the guards and delivering some of the punishment that has been inflicted on them for the full duration of their sentences. All in all - still a magnificent film. 31 years ago - it must have been an epic. And Burt - well he's always been great to watch!!! Let's hear it for the : "MEAN MACHINE", "MEAN MACHINE", "MEAN MACHINE" !!!

A small footnote to those wanting to buy it : The transfer is great. Colours are good, offered in WIDESCREEN, but the sound is MONO, not 5.1! (This may just be on the copy offered in South Africa - but I doubt it) There is also one scene where the voice/picture overlay doesn't quite fit... but for a flick made 31 years ago... it's all accepted!!! WORTH HAVING ON THE SHELF TO WATCH ON A LAZY SUNDAY AFTERNOON!!!

The Longest Yard is Burt Reynolds' best film. An ingenious prison comedy/drama film about a football game between the guards and the inmates. It's amazing that one of the best films about football takes place in a state prison. Has anyone seen a DROP KICK used anywhere? This "dramedy" has a great script with conventional and yet colorful prisoner and guard characters with an underlining message of teamwork and comraderie and one the best football games ever filmed. Great standout performances from character actor James Hampton as "Caretaker" (when I first saw this film, I knew Hampton only as the bugle player "Dobbs" on F-TROOP), Eddie Albert (far from his GREEN ACRES days) as the prison warden, and Ed Lauter as the head prison guard. Overall, a great movie to watch over and over again, even if you are not a football fan. Note: Look for unrecognizable actor Sonny Shroyer as inmate Sonny Tannen. He played ENOS in The Dukes of Hazard and the football coach in Forrest Gump. Also, the DVD is in widescreen, but no extras whatsoever. Not even a trailer. It would have been nice to have some audio commentary or behind the scenes extras.

This a classic football movie. Forget the remake this is the real deal! The DVD has a great transfer and some cool extras.

THE LONGEST YARD is usually billed as a football comedy, but the movie is actually a drama filled with comic moments centered around a very unique football game. In 21st Century U.S.A., I think we've forgotten how tough and horrible prisons used to be. Prisoners back then didn't have the amenities and luxuries that most prisoners have nowadays. In the 1970s people didn't want to go to prison, especially those who had already been there. Remembering the historical setting, helps put the original THE LONGEST YARD into perspective.

Burt Reynolds stars in the film as Paul "Wrecking" Crewe a former NFL star quarterback who was banned from the game for life after he was caught shaving points. Crewe is not a high-quality individual and he would not have made a good role model. He's a very selfish person who views women solely as objects for his personal desires and to sponge money out of. After a drunken argument with his girlfriend, Crewe goes on a driving rampage where that ends with him assaulting a police officer and wrecking his girlfriend's car, a Mazardi. He's sentenced to prison where the warden (Eddie Albert) wants Crewe to coach his semi-pro guard football team and help them win the championship. But Crewe has never been one to keep in line and refuses, besides the guards were going to kill him if he took the job. Eventually Crewe is put in charge of putting together a group of inmates that are going to play the warden's team in an exhibition game. The warden's team is expected to slaughter the inmates Mean Machine, but for the inmates all they want to do is play a great game and maybe knock some of the guards around. As for Crewe, the game becomes a crisis of conscience for him: he's offered parole if he throws the game, but he's gotten to like his teammates and he knows how much it means to them.

The movie has a good plot and is well acted. Reynolds and Albert give fine performances and Bernadette Peters has a small role as a sizzling secretary that freely gives Crewe some favors.

As mentioned before, THE LONGEST YARD is often billed as a comedy, but it's not. It's a serious drama with comical elements laced throughout. People get beat up and even killed. Prison, like life, can be a really tough place. Yet, there's always hope because on the football field, everyone's an equal.