The Longest Yard (1974)

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The Longest Yard (1974)

7/10

Starring

Burt Reynolds

Eddie Alber

Ed Lauther

Directed by Robert Aldrich

As a former huge Adam Sandler fan, when I came across The Longest Yard in 2005, I saw it with all enthusiasm and made sure I saw it again, the movie was funny, and the acting showed why at one time Adam Sandler was an actor to see, but now his movies are an eyesore.

But this review is not about the 2005 version it is about the original. Here is a classic movie for all to see, the remake is like 80% like the first, because as I noticed that not only was the screenplay alike, the lines too were much alike.

Burt Reynolds at his youth is one thing we need to see to appreciate this fine actor, his portrayal of a proud, obnoxious and retired football player who was finding it hard to get along with his life after a disgraceful exit from being a professional athlete.

The screenplay was well thought of, especially the football scenes. The other actors in the movie too put their back into the game to make sure that while watching, it looked more like a real amateur football game than just a bunch of guys hitting one another.

The plot as said above is about a retired football player Paul "Wrecking" Crewe (Burt Reynolds) who got himself locked up for drunk driving and assaulting two police officers.

In prison his warden wanted him to help out in the semi-pro football team that he (the warden) is in charge of so that he can win the semi-pro competition.

The problem Crewe had with this plan is that he just wanted to get in serve his 18 months and leave, not knowing that in prison, things go by another set of rules.

After some painful persuasion, Crewe agreed and had to create a team from his fellow convicts, so that the Guards could play them and walk over them, thereby boosting their morals. But little did the guards know that Crewe and his team had other plans.

Comparing both movies, original and remake I can see why the original was highly praised and the remake not well accepted. One major reason is that after seeing the original, I felt also that the remake was not done well in the fact that, it was just a replica with different cast. A little twist in the story would have been nice.

At the end of it all, this is a movie you will like and enjoy, there is guaranty laughter and a tragic message to keep you glued until you see how it all ends.