THE LONGEST YARD
One look at "THE LONGEST YARD," and it's easy to understand just why Burt Reynolds was such a big star in the '70s. The kinds of films made then weren't at all politically correct, and Reynolds is best when playing the kind of chauvinistic "macho" persona that prevailed in films of the period.
Remember how awesome he was in "DELIVERANCE?"  In "THE LONGEST YARD," Reynolds plays an ex-football star whose best years are "running" behind him.  During the film's terrific opening, we see his character at its worst!
He actually beats his girlfriend!  After stealing her car, a "Mazerati," he
drives it off a pier!  At least, it's nice to remember that "at least in
film" abusers are punished, because he's quickly sent off to prison.  Eddie
Albert is terrific as the Warden whom has called on some favors to get
Reynolds to his prison, hoping to make his prison football team a
championship team of felons!  Today, they could've just let the "BALTIMORE RAVENS" play themselves!  The supporting cast is a "who's who" of '70s performers, including Bernadette Peters as the Warden's secretary.  Richard Kiel plays a role, perfectly matched for him, as "Samson" and he actually gets to have what may be the film's funniest line!  Apparently, PARAMOUNT may agree, as they've even chapter marked it! 
PARAMOUNT has given this release a nice transfer for DVD.  Its 1.85:1 aspect ratio is intact and enhanced for 16:9 viewing.  While color values aren't as solid as they are on most PARAMOUNT releases, fleshtones appear natural and the resolution is fine, though not flawless.  There are no artifacts, but there are some signs of age, including scratches, making one question how long it's been since the film has been remastered.
While PARAMOUNT is quite busy remixing older monaural films with 5.1 mixes, "THE LONGEST YARD" didn't get such a treatment.  While a "5.1" mix isn't a necessity, we do wish that the soundtrack had been cleaned up a bit, as there is some distortion and background hiss, more prevalent in some scenes than in others.