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The Longest Yard
The Longest Yard
The Longest Yard
Film credit
Michael Conrad
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- Episodes featuring their films
- 1
- Movies in this archive
- 1
Rewatchables episodes featuring Michael Conrad’s films
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Mentioned in discussions
Apex Mountain
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
- Smokey and the Bandit is selected as Burt Reynolds’s commercial apex. — Bill Simmons
- The Longest Yard is proposed as a retrospective apex because it remains among his most memorable films. — Bill Simmons
- Eddie Albert, Michael Conrad, James Hampton, and Harry Caesar receive career-context discussion. — Bill Simmons
- The Longest Yard is selected as the best football movie over a large field of alternatives. — Bill Simmons
- The 1974 Maserati receives an immediate vehicle apex. — Bill Simmons
- Saturday Night Special is considered for movie-song apex and compared with its use in Blue Collar. — Bill Simmons
- The observed Anacott/Anacoste Steel reference remains more closely associated with Wall Street. — Bill Simmons
- The movie is jokingly tested against other notorious West Palm Beach incidents. — Bill Simmons
Half-Assed Internet Research
Albert S. Ruddy’s story, Robert Aldrich’s comedy takes, the real inmate-trooper game, Reynolds’s rapport with prisoners, Aldrich’s treatment of Michael Conrad, and the Maserati sale
In the discussion (7)
Approx. transcript time · 01:15:23Read transcript
- Producer Albert S. Ruddy is reported to have conceived the story in the late 1960s and hired a screenwriter. — Bill Simmons
- The production shot at Georgia State Prison with cooperation from then-governor Jimmy Carter. — Bill Simmons
- Aldrich reportedly kept cameras rolling for what he called schtick takes so Reynolds could improvise comedy. — Bill Simmons
- After production, inmates used the remaining equipment to play state troopers and reportedly led 66–0 at halftime. — Bill Simmons
- Reynolds reportedly ignored warnings and ate with prisoners during meal breaks. — Bill Simmons
- Aldrich reportedly feuded with Michael Conrad and called him the Polish princess. — Bill Simmons
- The recovered Maserati was reportedly sold by the producer for seven thousand dollars. — Bill Simmons
What’s Aged the Best?
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
Displaying all 3 discussions
