Anthony Zerbe, Dennis Hopper, George Kennedy

A brooding loner is sentenced to a prison chain-gang, stands up to the Nazi-like guards, and eventually becomes the leader of his fellow prisoners.

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93% liked it

51,783 ratings

Critics

100% liked it

43 critics

Unrated, 2 hrs. 6 min.

Directed by: Stuart Rosenberg

Release Date: January 1, 1967

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DVD Release Date: November 3, 1997

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Stats: 4,155 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (4,155)


  • September 30, 2009
    The ultimate anti-hero, Cool Hand Luke said a lot about the 60's and still stands up today. Fight the system, the system will probably win but at least you didn't bend over and take it!
  • January 15, 2009
    "What we've got here is failure to communicate."

    Luke Jackson (Paul Newman) is sentenced to a stretch on a southern chain gang after he's arrested for drunkenly decapitating parking meters. While the avowed ambition of the captain (Strother Martin) is for each prisoner to...( read more) "get their mind right," it soon becomes obvious that Luke is not about to kowtow to anybody. When challenged to a fistfight by fellow inmate Dragline (George Kennedy), Luke simply refuses to give up, even though he's brutally beaten. Luke knows how to win at poker, even with bad cards, by using his smarts and playing it cool. Luke also figures out a way for the men to get their work done in half the usual time, giving them the afternoon off. Finally, when Luke finds out his mother has died, he plots his escape; when he's caught, he simply escapes again. Soon, Luke becomes a symbol of hope and resilience to the other men in the prison camp -- and a symbol of rebelliousness that must be stamped out to the guards and the captain.

    Review
    Cool Hand Luke is a great film that will last the ages. Newman's portrayal of the impulsive loner with the undying will is unforgettable, and Lucas Jackson may be one of the most memorable movie characters of all time. Luke's unfaltering spirit in the face of a life that never seems to deal him a fair hand will probably win you over sooner than later. A superb supporting cast, (including George Kennedy in his Oscar winning performance and Strother Martin ("what we got heehr is...failyuh to com-municate"), along with fine direction from Stuart Rosenberg catapult this timeless story, of an individual adrift in a vast and faceless world, towards classic status.

    The basic plot line follows thus: Luke is arrested for the silliest of crimes and sent to prison (where the prisoners often work on a sort of chain gang, although largely without the chains). The atmosphere of the prison camp almost immediately begins to change after Luke's arrival, though not due to any conscious effort from his part. Just because he is who he is. At first, the other prisoners are hostile but they soon warm to him. They seem to begin feeling real camaraderie--perhaps even some unity. Some of the most memorable scenes naturally stick in your mind: Luke's endless boxing match, the eggs (!), his escapes, and even when Luke is beaten by the prison captain...and, of course, the unforgettable smile. A legendary performance from Newman and a true classic.
  • January 4, 2009
    I can eat 50 eggs.
  • November 1, 2008
    One of those seminal prison dramas. Excellent cast and no matter how many times you've seen it, you get caught up in things.
  • October 22, 2008
    cool hand luke is a fun movie. it suffers from a slow pace and the complete lack of a plot, but newman is excellent as always and the end was perfect. the film also had some unforgetable moments, like the boxing match and the egg eating, cementing this as a very good film and a...( read more) must see for paul newman fans.
  • November 14, 2009
    This was a movie that had my full attention right from the get go and I never lost interest once. Paul Newman is the man. This was one fo the best acting jobs I have ever seen. George Kennedy and Harry dean Stanton were awesome in a supporting roles. Even the villains in this mov...( read more)ie were great. But Newman really makes this movie cool with his charisma and demeanor. The way his character will never let himself get beaten down. The scene where he is shaking the bushes was my favorite.
  • November 13, 2009
    "Quit livin' through me"
  • November 9, 2009
    I'd take this over any real career path.
    super hero
  • November 6, 2009
    C'è poco da dire, epico.
  • November 4, 2009
    Another film that captures prison monotony, with possible Bresson influences and an obvious influence to Shawshank. Again: why would anyone care for feeling monotony? More often than not it will appear with no cinematic force. Two-thirds gets a 0/10, last third gets 5/10. And all...( read more) the actors are douches for speaking with annoying accents.

Critic Reviews


October 23, 2004
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

A tough, honest film with backbone. full review

View more Cool Hand Luke reviews at RottenTomatoes.com

Comments


  • rayman0071
    October 16, 2008
    This was one of the top ten films of 1967 and its easy to see why it remains of the best of Paul Newman's astounding career. However,Newman's performance is electrifying as a man who refuses to be buckled by the system that put him there. Nominated for six Oscars including Best Picture,Best Actor(Newman),and Best Supporting Actor(George Kennedy),and won for Best Supporting Actor for George Kennedy. It is one of Newman's best right up there with "The Hustler","Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid",and "The Sting".
  • shortorder
    September 24, 2006
    Paul Newman at his best, in my opinion! Why he didn't win an Oscar for his potrayal as a loner in a prison chain gang who follows the beat of a different drummer is beyond me!

    But hell, "Cool Hand Luke" is a flick that should not be missed if you crave films with great acting and an above average plot!

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Cool Hand Luke Trivia


  • In Cool Hand Luke, what crime leads to Paul Newman's arrest?  Answer »
  • "What we've got here is failure to communicate" is a line from which Paul Newman movie?  Answer »
  • In Cool Hand Luke, what does Luke Jackson bet that he can eat 50 of?  Answer »
  • What did Paul Newman's character get arrested for in Cool Hand Luke?  Answer »

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