First Down... And Ten Years To Go

Starring: Burt Reynolds, Eddie Albert, Ed Lauter, Michael Conrad, James Hampton, Harry Caesar, John Steadman, Charles Tyner, Richard Kiel

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★☆☆☆ - good

"How do ya like them apples, Superstar?" – Unger

Why watch this? Prison film-check. Football film-check. Burt Reynolds-check. Let's go!

Plot Summary: A former professional football quarterback is sent to prison. The sadistic warden coerces him to form a football team composed of inmates to play against the prison guards. The quarterback faces a moral dilemma as the warden wants him to throw the game in exchange for an early release, while the inmates view the game as a chance to regain some dignity and fight back against the institution's brutality.

Dad's Preview: This film is loaded with attitude and lots of bad attitudes. This raunchy slug-fest between the undisciplined prisoners and brutal guards is one for the ages. There's lots of blood, sweat and, um, colorful language. Nobody does disrespect for authority better than hunky Burt Reynolds (my Mom loved him). I was also impressed with Eddie Albert's portrayal of the corrupt warden. Man, he's one devious character, and you really want to see him get what he has coming.

Albert S. Ruddy Productions, Long Road Productions; Paramount Pictures