(a.k.a. "The Mean Machine" -- UK)
US (1974): Comedy/Drama/Prison/Sports
Ex-football-star Burt Reynolds ends up in a prison run by sadistic sports-nut Eddie Albert (if Albert had a mustache, he'd twirl it). Strong-armed into forming an inmate football team, Reynolds manages to instill an esprit de corps previously lacking in the prisoners' lives. Besides, they now have the chance to beat the guards' football team, headed by the hissable Ed Lauter. Albert orders Reynolds to throw the match; otherwise, Reynolds will never get the pardon he's been promised. The football game that follows consumes nearly a third of the picture. Robert Aldrige directs; cast also features Michael Conrad, James Hampton, Harry Caesar, John Steadman and Bernadette Peters (in only her second film role). (Paramount) (Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide)
Remade in 2005, director Peter Segal's cast included Adam Sandler, Chris Rock and Burt Reynolds again - this time as the coach of the team that takes on the guards.
View a clip from this film on YouTube.com.
· Film Editing 1974: Michael Luciano
1 nomination