Mean Machine Movie Review 2001

British remake of Robert Aldrich's 1974 film, "The Longest Yard," that stresses comedy and crazies. Danny Meechan (former soccer star Jones) is a disgraced pro player who winds up in prison on assault charges. The warden (Hemmings) wants Danny to coach the guards' soccer team instead of chief guard Burton (Brown), who will make Danny's life very difficult if he accepts. So Danny proposes a compromise--he'll train and coach an inmate team in a match against the guards. You can guess where this one is going but Jones and Statham (who plays a violent con) are worth watching.

Distribution

Paramount Home Video, 5555 Melrose Ave., 5555 Melrose Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90038, Phone: (323)956-5000, URL: http://www.paramount.com, Remarks: Does not handle retail queries from consumers; contact your local video distributor.

Available on VHS, DVD
Running time 98 minutes.
Originally from United States, British.

Cast and Crew

Genres

Men in Prison, Soccer, Gambling

Screenplay

Charlie Fletcher, Chris Baker, Andrew Day

Cast

Vinnie Jones, Jason Statham, David Hemmings, Ralph Brown, David Kelly, Jason Flemyng, Danny Dyer, Vas Blackwood, John Forgeham, Robbie Gee

Cinematography

John Murphy

Director

Barry Skolnick

Music

Alex Barber

Producer

Paramount Classics