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The movie is based on a real-life association football game in 1942 between German soldiers and Ukrainian prisoners of war during World War II, known as the Death Match. An ex-football star doing time is forced by the warden to organize a team of inmates to play against (and get pummeled by) his own line-up of guards.
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.
The film drags until it reaches the climactic football game, and the contest itself doesn't justify the two-hour run.
June 02, 2005
TV Guide
Part prison film, part football film, this violent but outstanding comedy-drama by gifted action director Robert Aldrich explores the brutality inherent in both the American penal system and football.
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.
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.
May 09, 2005
Film4
If it ultimately descends into macho nonsense, then that's all part of the fun.