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The Longest Yard

year 1974decade 70sdirector Robert Aldrichgenre Sportsgenre Comedygenre Drama
host Bill Simmonshost Chris Ryanhost Van Lathanproducer Craig Horlbeck theme 70s Sports Movie Month
All 33 categories

The film

The Longest Yard (1974)

Directed by Robert Aldrich · Sports

121 minutes

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Cast

Selected cast credits · Film reference

Burt Reynolds Paul "Wrecking" Crewe
Eddie Albert Warden Rudolph Hazen
Ed Lauter Captain Wilhelm Knauer
Michael Conrad Nate Scarboro
Jim Hampton James "Caretaker" Farrell
Harry Caesar "Granny" Granville
Mike Henry Lieutenant Rasmussen
Jim Nicholson "Ice Man"

Everything from the episode

In the order the hosts got to it. Open a row for the discussion.

30:05

Most Rewatchable Scene

The full football game, especially its huddles and comeback

The full football game, especially its huddles and comeback

In the discussion (16)
Approx. transcript time · 00:30:05Read transcript
  • The opening car chase and arrest are praised for making Paul Crewe reckless enough to justify prison. — Bill Simmons
  • Crewe dumping the car and joking that he could not find a car wash caps the chase. — Bill Simmons
  • The warden meeting is praised for its escalating power play and Eddie Albert performance. — Bill Simmons
  • The swamp push-up punishment works despite being a long sequence that might easily have stalled the movie. — Bill Simmons
  • The first practice and library confrontation help show the prisoners choosing to join the team. — Bill Simmons
  • The injury seminar and Caretaker drinking scene lead into Crewe’s guarded account of shaving points.
  • The first half supplies memorable threats, football violence, and comic beats. — Bill Simmons
  • Crewe’s deliberate interceptions, fumbled handoff, fake injury, and teammates moving away make his betrayal painful. — Bill Simmons
  • Pop’s answer that punching Hazen was worth thirty years motivates Crewe to return. — Bill Simmons
  • The comeback includes Nate’s touchdown and injury, a reverse, a long fourth-down conversion, and a tackle-eligible play. — Bill Simmons
  • The final drive shows fourth down, seven seconds left, Crewe walking to the bench, and the crowd going quiet. — Bill Simmons
  • Crewe’s brief huddle speech invokes Granville, Nate, and Caretaker before the winning touchdown. — Bill Simmons
  • The goal-line score uses a freeze and multiple reaction angles to land the win.
  • The apparent threat that Crewe will be shot sustains the dark tone before he returns the game ball. — Van Lathan
  • The entire game is treated as one rewatchable unit, with the huddles alone telling its emotional story.
  • The training and injury montages are added as alternate choices.
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31:46

The Ruffalo / Hanna / Rubinek / Partridge Overacting Award

Warden Hazen, played by Eddie Albert

Warden Hazen, played by Eddie Albert

In the discussion (1)
Approx. transcript time · 00:31:46Read transcript
  • The panel names the Overacting Award and immediately selects Warden Hazen for Eddie Albert’s heightened delivery. — Bill Simmons
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43:38

What’s Aged the Best?

Burt Reynolds’s athletic movie-star performance, the sports realism, split-screen game coverage, car chase, period st...

Burt Reynolds’s athletic movie-star performance, the sports realism, split-screen game coverage, car chase, period styling, Caretaker twist, and decision not to kill Crewe receive the strongest praise.

In the discussion (13)
Approx. transcript time · 00:43:38Read transcript
  • A giant movie star leading a sports film is praised as a model that has become rare. — Van Lathan
  • The ashtray, cigarettes, radio football call, and gray leisure suit immediately establish the 1970s setting. — Bill Simmons
  • The split-screen game coverage is praised for introducing a new visual grammar late in the movie without breaking immersion. — Chris Ryan
  • The car chase benefits from the long skids and less precise handling of a 1973 Maserati. — Bill Simmons
  • Anitra Ford’s look is treated as specifically evocative of the mid-1970s. — Bill Simmons
  • The observed Ed Loudder is praised for a résumé spanning several sports movies. — Bill Simmons
  • Michael Conrad’s later Hill Street Blues presence is noted. — Bill Simmons
  • Using an announcer inside the sports movie is credited as a device later films repeated.
  • Caretaker’s ability to obtain steroids, vitamins, and stimulants is treated as funny period detail. — Bill Simmons
  • The very wide photography and multi-picture design are praised as theatrical choices. — Bill Simmons
  • Caretaker’s murder is called both devastating and an effective story turn that keeps prison danger present. — Bill Simmons
  • The decision to replace an ending where Crewe was shot preserves the movie’s satisfying resolution. — Bill Simmons
  • Burt Reynolds’s dismissive later account of the remake is treated as evidence of his cranky persona. — Bill Simmons
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52:22

The Great Shot Gordo Award for Most Cinematic Shot

Crewe crossing the goal line and the split-away image

Crewe crossing the goal line and the split-away image

In the discussion (1)
Approx. transcript time · 00:52:22Read transcript
  • Crewe crossing the goal line and the split-away image are selected for Great Shot. — Bill Simmons
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57:48

The Butch’s Girlfriend Award for the Weakest Link in the Film

Crewe’s failure to explain the warden’s Caretaker-murder threat to the team

Crewe’s failure to explain the warden’s Caretaker-murder threat to the team

In the discussion (3)
Approx. transcript time · 00:57:48Read transcript
  • The panel argues that the prisoners likely would have accepted losing if Crewe explained the threat of a murder frame.
  • If Crewe throws the game, the teammates he betrays could ruin him for the rest of his prison time. — Bill Simmons
  • Unger’s obvious guilt and Crewe’s bond with Caretaker make the warden’s frame threat seem less credible. — Bill Simmons
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59:05

What’s Aged the Worst?

The opening domestic violence, Bernadette Peters styling, repeated warden reaction shot, remake’s eclipse of the orig...

The opening domestic violence, Bernadette Peters styling, repeated warden reaction shot, remake’s eclipse of the original, smelling salts, and football brutality

In the discussion (7)
Approx. transcript time · 00:59:05Read transcript
  • The opening domestic violence is called harsh and jarring.
  • Bernadette Peters’s beehive styling is criticized. — Bill Simmons
  • The same shocked-warden reaction appears to be repeated from multiple angles during the game. — Bill Simmons
  • The remake is criticized for stealing recognition from a film the panel regards as already complete. — Bill Simmons
  • Smelling salts for injured players are treated as an outdated response to likely concussions. — Chris Ryan
  • Old receiver alignments are one of the few football details that visibly differ from the modern game. — Chris Ryan
  • Brass knuckles and deliberate injury tactics are treated as unacceptable football equipment and strategy.
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1:03:07

Is There a Better Title for This Movie?

Mean Machine is proposed, but The Longest Yard is defended for revealing its meaning only near the end.

Mean Machine is proposed, but The Longest Yard is defended for revealing its meaning only near the end.

In the discussion (2)
Approx. transcript time · 01:03:07Read transcript
  • Mean Machine is the only direct alternate title. — Bill Simmons
  • The original title is praised for joining the football yard and prison yard meanings. — Bill Simmons
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1:07:15

The Stephen A. Smith Hottest Take Award

Burt Reynolds is called the greatest car-chase driver; alternate takes read the film as a story about America and spe...

Burt Reynolds is called the greatest car-chase driver; alternate takes read the film as a story about America and speculate that Crewe fathers a child in prison.

In the discussion (4)
Approx. transcript time · 01:07:15Read transcript
  • Burt Reynolds is argued to be the greatest performer at driving while being chased. — Bill Simmons
  • Steve McQueen and Ryan Gosling are considered as alternatives. — Bill Simmons
  • The movie is read as a story about Americans from different backgrounds uniting through football and hatred of authority. — Chris Ryan
  • A deliberately speculative take imagines that the secretary becomes pregnant after the encounter with Crewe. — Van Lathan
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1:11:54

The Joey Pants “That Guy” Award

The performer playing Unger

The performer playing Unger

In the discussion (4)
Approx. transcript time · 01:11:54Read transcript
  • James Hampton is considered a That Guy for most listeners despite his familiar Teen Wolf role.
  • The observed Ed Lauder is considered too identifiable by name by part of the panel. — Bill Simmons
  • Harry Caesar is proposed because Granville is more memorable than the actor’s name. — Bill Simmons
  • Unger wins because the panel does not know the actor’s name but would recognize him as Unger. — Bill Simmons
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1:12:59

The Dion Waiters Award for Best Heat Check Performance

Announcer Michael Fox

Announcer Michael Fox

In the discussion (3)
Approx. transcript time · 01:12:59Read transcript
  • Bernadette Peters is nominated for intensifying sharply in her second scene. — Bill Simmons
  • Shockner, Pop, the warden’s sidekick, and the cheerleaders are alternate short-role candidates. — Bill Simmons
  • Michael Fox wins because his announcer commentary is both memorable and self-written.
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1:17:22

Apex Mountain

The Longest Yard as Burt Reynolds’s retrospective apex; The Longest Yard among football movies; the 1974 Maserati

The Longest Yard as Burt Reynolds’s retrospective apex; The Longest Yard among football movies; the 1974 Maserati

In the discussion (8)
Approx. transcript time · 01:17:22Read transcript
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1:20:26

Cruise or Hanks?

Tom Cruise as Paul Crewe; Tom Hanks as Nate Scarborough

Tom Cruise as Paul Crewe; Tom Hanks as Nate Scarborough

In the discussion (2)
Approx. transcript time · 01:20:26Read transcript
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1:29:14

Sequel, Prequel, Limited Series, or All-Black Remake

A basketball remake about a disgraced NBA star leading prisoners against guards

A basketball remake about a disgraced NBA star leading prisoners against guards

In the discussion (3)
Approx. transcript time · 01:29:14Read transcript
  • Basketball is proposed as the sport for a new remake fifty years later. — Bill Simmons
  • The recruiting sequence would seek European or Serbian prisoners as needed specialists.
  • Edward Norton’s American History X character is jokingly proposed for the opposing prison group.
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1:31:10

Is This Movie Better With…?

The Hanson Brothers

The Hanson Brothers

In the discussion (3)
Approx. transcript time · 01:31:10Read transcript
  • Wayne Jenkins, the observed Danny Treos and Sam Jackson, J.T. Walsh, and the observed Philip Bicker Hall are among the proposed additions. — Bill Simmons
  • The Hanson Brothers win because they could add iconic football-team and hot-box scenes. — Bill Simmons
  • The observed Byron Mayo, Harley Mays, evil-laughing Ramon, and Raymond are also proposed as stock additions. — Bill Simmons
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1:31:35

Just One Oscar

Burt Reynolds

Burt Reynolds

In the discussion (1)
Approx. transcript time · 01:31:35Read transcript
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1:37:15

What Piece of Memorabilia Would You Want From This Movie?

Crewe’s black number 22 Mean Machine jersey

Crewe’s black number 22 Mean Machine jersey

In the discussion (2)
Approx. transcript time · 01:37:15Read transcript
  • The game ball and Crewe jersey are reported as possible prior auction items.
  • A non-torn black Mean Machine number 22 jersey is the preferred piece.
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1:37:31

The Coach Finstock Award for Best Life Lesson

Nate’s prison-survival speech and Caretaker’s explanation of football’s meaning

Nate’s prison-survival speech and Caretaker’s explanation of football’s meaning

In the discussion (3)
Approx. transcript time · 01:37:31Read transcript
  • One lesson says prison cannot beat a man’s courage and manhood out of him.
  • Another lesson explains that point shaving violated the meaning prisoners invest in football.
  • That lesson sets up Crewe’s refusal to sell out the team again. — Van Lathan
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1:38:33

Who Won the Movie?

Burt Reynolds

Burt Reynolds

In the discussion (3)
Approx. transcript time · 01:38:33Read transcript
  • Burt Reynolds is the clear and repeated winner choice.
  • Ruddy gets an alternate winner case for the foresight to unite Aldrich, Reynolds, the story, and a no-holds-barred tone. — Chris Ryan
  • Ruddy’s long career through The Godfather and Million Dollar Baby strengthens the alternate case. — Van Lathan
Podcast choices
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Burt Reynolds
Speaker not identified
Burt Reynolds
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Mentions across The Rewatchables

Recorded movie reference

Breaking Away

The Rewatchables · aired June 11, 2024

Seventies sports pyramid; 1979 domestic box-office list (twelve named)

Transcript time unavailableRead transcript
Source 1