Mean Machine (2001)

A soccer star jailed for assault leads a group of inmates in a match against prison guards.

Director:

Barry Skolnick

Writers:

Tracy Keenan Wynn (earlier screenplay "The Longest Yard"), Charlie Fletcher (screenplay),

Stars:

Vinnie Jones, David Kelly, David Hemmings

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Vinnie Jones	...	Danny Meehan
David Kelly	...	Doc
David Hemmings	...	Governor
Ralph Brown	...	Burton
Vas Blackwood	...	Massive
Robbie Gee	...	Trojan
Geoff Bell	...	Ratchett
John Forgeham	...	Charlie Sykes
Sally Phillips	...	Tracey
Danny Dyer	...	Billy the Limpet
Jason Flemyng	...	Bob Likely
Jason Statham	...	Monk
Martin Wimbush	...	Z
David Reid	...	Barman
David Cropman	...	Second Barman

Storyline

Disgraced ex-England captain (Danny 'Mean Machine' Meehan) is thrown in jail for assaulting two police officers. Whilst in jail, he doesn't recieve any favours because of his celebrity status in the outside world. He is out numbered and many prisoners constantly barrage him with insults for letting down his country in a crucial World Cup game. He keeps his head down and has the opportunity to forget everything and change the lives of the prisoners. These prisoners have the chance to put one over the evil guards. The prisoners are lead by Danny and the whole of the prison, guards aside, are behind them. Game on......

---

Plot Keywords:

prison guard | prison | soccer | inmate | soccer star | 

---

Taglines:

Not Your Usual Suspects

---

Genres:

Comedy | Drama | Sport

---

Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for language and some violence

Details

Country:

UK USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

26 December 2001 (UK)

Also Known As:

A Máquina

Box Office

Budget:

£2,500,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

$16,870 (USA) (22 February 2002)

Gross:

$92,191 (USA) (3 May 2002)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Paramount Pictures, Ruddy Morgan Productions, Brad Grey Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

99 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

David Kelly replaced Warren Mitchell.

---

Goofs

When 'Nitro' is bundled into the back of a prison van, he knocks a guard's hat off. As the prison van doors are slammed shut, the guard's hat is still firmly on his head.

---

Quotes

Hayter: I wouldn't get too close, Miss.
Tracey: Why? You're not dangerous, are you, Mr. Footballer?
Danny Meehan: Only if you've got the ball, Miss.

---

Connections

References Victory (1981)

---

Soundtracks

"Mambo Jambo"
Written by Perez Predo
Performed by Dave Barbour

User Reviews

Rage Against The Machine

Based on Keenan Wynn's 'The Longest Yard', Fletcher adds Brit wit to the screenplay as Skolnick directs a splendid film. Of course the story isn't anything new (like most sports flicks) but the humour brings out the charm. The characters are fun to watch and funnily enough the actors have famously starred in Guy Ritchie films. It's as if they were in prison for the crimes they committed in those films. But, just to avoid any misconception, this isn't a crime-flick and it's very different from the Ritchie films, both in style and content. One doesn't have to be a football fan to enjoy it as the entertainment value is universal. The football match sequence was hilarious and if only the real matches were half entertaining! All the actors do a fine job but it is Vinnie Jones who carries the movie and it's nice to see him as a guy who gets beaten up in comparison to the tough guy roles he's typecast in. Overall, this is a fun little film, not one to be taken too seriously.