The Longest Yard 1974

Nora Sayre, New York Times: Though The Yard is a terrible picture, I'll admit to having unwillingly enjoyed some of the football practice and parts of the final game -- even though it's much too long. Read more

Richard Schickel, TIME Magazine: What saves it, aside from good performances by Burt Reynolds and a thundering herd of supporting grotesques, is, of all things, a tough, tiny nut of valid social criticism. Read more

Geoff Andrew, Time Out: Very exciting, very witty, and elevated above its action-movie status by Aldrich's deliberate references to Nixon in Albert's characterisation of the warden. Read more

Variety Staff, Variety: An outstanding action drama, combining the brutish excitement of football competition with the brutalities of contemporary prison life. Read more