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The Longest Yard
1974 121 min United States of America R 12+
★7.3
Comedy, Drama, Crime
Director: Robert Aldrich
Trailers
EN
EN
Description
A football player-turned-convict organizes a team of inmates to play against a team of prison guards. His dilemma is that the warden asks him to throw the game in return for an early release, but he is also concerned about the inmates' lack of self-esteem.
Budget:
$2.9M
US Gross:
$43.01M
Worldwide:
$43.01M
Starring
Burt Reynolds
Actor
Eddie Albert
Actor
Ed Lauter
Actor
Awards
Golden Globe 1975
— Best Picture (Comedy or Musical)
Golden Globe 1975
— Best Supporting Actor
Academy Awards 1975
— Best Film Editing
Golden Globe 1975
— Best Actor (Comedy or Musical)
Golden Globe 1975
— Best Debut
Key opinion
The 1974 version of The Longest Yard is widely regarded as an engaging and entertaining sports-drama hybrid that balances humor with gritty prison tropes. While critics note a lack of profound philosophical depth, the film’s charismatic lead performance and effective genre execution have secured its status as a classic of the era.
| Acting | Burt Reynolds delivers a highly charismatic and definitive performance as the flawed protagonist Paul Crewe. | |
| Direction | The hour-long climactic football match is skillfully staged and remains engaging even for viewers not interested in the sport. | |
| Screenplay | The screenplay effectively balances humor and tension, though it prioritizes straightforward entertainment over deep philosophical or political exploration. | |
| Originality | While some find the character-driven narrative and performances compelling, others find the plot predictable and the protagonist's behavioral consistency occasionally questionable. |