It's that story that happened in 1942 through a football match between German soldiers and Ukrainian prisoners of war. During the Second World War, this strange game was known as the 'Death Match'. In that match, the jailer forces the former football star to organize a team of inmates to play against the goalkeeper squad to win.
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.
TV Guide
March 21, 2007
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.
Film4
July 31, 2008
If it ultimately descends into macho nonsense, then that's all part of the fun.