Directed by:
Robert AldrichScreenplay:
Tracy Keenan WynnCinematography:
Joseph F. BirocComposer:
Frank De VolCast:
Burt Reynolds, Eddie Albert, Ed Lauter, Michael Conrad, James Hampton, Harry Caesar, Charles Tyner, Mike Henry, Bernadette Peters, Anitra Ford, Richard Kiel (more)VOD (1)
Plots(1)
Eddie Albert is the sadistic warden who'll gladly make any sacrifice to push his guards' semi-pro football team to the national championship. Burt Reynolds plays one-time pro quarterback Paul Crewe, now behind bars for leading State Police on a wild chase in a "borrowed car" and more. He agrees to organize a prisoners' team to play the guards. The warden intercedes to assure that his goon squad will meet only passive resistance from Crewe's "Mean Machine." But the license to pound on their hated guards is a big incentive for murderers and thieves to learn strategy. (official distributor synopsis)
(more)Cast
Burt Reynolds
USA
Best movies:
Eddie Albert
USA
Best movies:
Roman Holiday (1953)
The Longest Day (1962)
You Gotta Stay Happy (1948)
Ed Lauter
USA
Best movies:
Leaving Las Vegas (1995)
The Artist (2011)
Seabiscuit (2003)
Michael Conrad
USA
Best movies:
They Shoot Horses, Don't They? (1969)
How the West Was Won (1976) (series)
Requiem for a Heavyweight (1962)
James Hampton
USA
Best movies:
Sling Blade (1996)
Pump Up the Volume (1990)
Soldier Blue (1970)
Harry Caesar
USA
Best movies:
Lady Sings the Blues (1972)
North and South (1985) (series)
A Few Good Men (1992)
Charles Tyner
USA
Best movies:
Cool Hand Luke (1967)
Fail-Safe (1964)
Harold and Maude (1971)
Mike Henry
USA
Best movies:
Spencer's Mountain (1963)
Skyjacked (1972)
Rio Lobo (1970)
Bernadette Peters
USA
Best movies:
Into the Woods (1991) (theatrical recording)
Silent Movie (1976)
tick, tick...BOOM! (2021)
Anitra Ford
USA
Best movies:
Columbo (1971) (series)
The Mean Machine (1974)
Messiah of Evil (1973)
Richard Kiel
USA
Best movies:
Tangled (2010)
The Spy Who Loved Me (1977)
Force 10 from Navarone (1978)
Joe Kapp
USA
Best movies:
M.A.S.H. (1970)
The Mean Machine (1974)
Breakheart Pass (1975)
Robert Tessier
USA
Best movies:
Steel (1979)
The Mean Machine (1974)
Another Man, Another Chance (1977)
Joe Dorsey
USA
Best movies:
Roots (1977) (series)
Guyana Tragedy: The Story of Jim Jones (1980) (TV movie)
Norma Rae (1979)
Chuck Hayward
USA
Best movies:
The Big Country (1958)
Spartacus (1960)
High Noon (1952)
J. Don Ferguson
USA
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The Legend of Bagger Vance (2000)
Remember the Titans (2000)
My Cousin Vinny (1992)
Michael Fox
USA
Best movies:
What Ever Happened to Baby Jane? (1962)
Columbo (1971) (series)
Young Frankenstein (1974)
Alfie Wise
USA
Best movies:
Midway (1976)
The Mean Machine (1974)
Smokey and the Bandit (1977)
John Steadman
USA
Best movies:
The Outfit (1973)
Marilyn: The Untold Story (1980) (TV movie)
Emperor of the North (1973)
Sonny Shroyer
USA
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Forrest Gump (1994)
Ray (2004)
The Rainmaker (1997)