Product description

The Mean Machine (aka The Longest Yard) [DVD] [1974]

Price: £4.96
RRP: £12.99
Average customer rating: 4.5

Binding : DVD
EAN : 5014437814036
Label : Paramount Home Entertainment
Manufacturer : Paramount Home Entertainment
Publisher : Paramount Home Entertainment
Release date : 2002-07-01
Title : The Mean Machine (aka The Longest Yard) [DVD] [1974]
Actor : Array
Audience rating : Suitable for 15 years and over
Format : PAL
Languages : Array
Number of items : 1
Original release date : 1974-01-01
Region code : 2
Running time : 116
Studio : Paramount Home Entertainment
Theatrical releaseDate : 1974-08-30
Number of discs : 1

Customer reviews

review by: Al. date: 2006-02-07 rating:

A classic one man against the system film.
I have recently watched this film after seeing it years ago.pI had forgotten how tough the film was but it was tempered by black humour and Burt Reynolds Southern good ole boy persona that he played to a tee in most of his films.pThis is a classic individualist film from the second golden age of Holloywood. Sure, it wasn't to be taken literaly but it brought home the message that there are some things that have to be stood up for even if it costs dearly.pAs mentioned Reynolds is great but also Jim Hampston, Richard Kiel and Robert Teisser provide great support.pAll in all, a great sports film mixed with the triumph of the human spirit against extreme adversity.

review by: date: 2005-08-31 rating:

The Longest Yard
I have never seen the original 'The Longest Yard' so when I went to see 'The Longest Yard' at the cinema starring the likes of Adam Sandler, Burt Reynolds, Chris Rock Stone Cold Steve Austin, all I could imagine throughout the film was that this film seems alot like 'Mean Machine' starring Vinnie Jones in which he is a football (Soccer) player and the storyline was exactly the same (well... almost. Now I will have to watch the ORIGINAL version of 'The Longest Yard' to see the difference which i suppose will be quite good as it stars Burt Reynolds, But I would recommend 'The Longest Yard'(2005 version) to anyone if they are looking for one of the funniest films of 2005

review by: date: 2004-09-12 rating:

Just a friendly football game, the prisoners vs. the guards
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.p"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 throwing games 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.pWe 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.pReynolds 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.pNot to be mistaken for high art, "The Longest Yard" is a party film, perfect when you are in the mood for a little football.

review by: funkmaster-p date: 2004-02-06 rating:

A Mean Feat
Anyone who sees this film and the remake will immediately be able to tell that this is the better of the two. In fact it is an excellent film. The actors all play their parts well and some of the dialogue is very impressive. There are moments of comedy, suspense and pain all of which add to the overall affect. The main success of the film, however, are the performances of Burt Reynolds and James Hampton who play their parts to perfection with the most excellent scenes down to the style of Hampton as the caretaker.pThe fundamental idea behind the film is that the old American Football captain, who had to leave after shaving points off a game, is convicted and sent to prison. There he must train his own football team to play the guards at the request of the warden. Along the way there are many comic moments and some minor action sequences which are quite well done. There are some quite emotional moments which seem to add another dimension to the film making the final product a certain success.pThe only problem with this otherwise superb film is that it can drag a bit at times and for this I take off a star. I would recommend buying this film to anyone who thinks they would enjoy it. However, there are many other films which are even better so this is not a must buy DVD.

review by: date: 2000-12-20 rating:

Classic Reynolds
I first came across this film about ten years ago and have loved it ever since. It has all the Reynolds trademarks-Humour,Action,irony and just the fact that you can`t help admiring the man. It`s a true hero film with Reynolds playing the lovable villian up against the system.With the typical rough prison gaurds reducing you to boo and hiss,through to the oppressed men finally having there chance for revenge. The final game has you on the edge of your seat while the violence is bloody but warranted.If you haven`t seen this film then go out and get it.You will not be dissapointed.

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