Cool Hand Luke

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Cool Hand Luke

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Cool Hand Luke

Anthony Zerbe, Dennis Hopper, George Kennedy, Harry Dean Stanton, J.D. Cannon, Jo Van Fleet, Joe Don Baker, Lou Antonio, Paul Newman, Robert Drivas, Strother Martin

Paul Newman was nominated for an Oscar and George Kennedy received one for his work in this allegorical prison drama. Luke Jackson (Paul Newman) is sentenced to a stretch on a southern chain gang afte...( read more  read more... )r he's arrested for drunkenly decapitating parking meters. While the avowed ambition of the captain (Strother Martin) is for each prisoner to 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. Along with stellar performances by Newman, Kennedy, and Martin, Cool Hand Luke features a superb supporting cast, including Ralph Waite, Harry Dean Stanton, Dennis Hopper, Wayne Rogers, and Joe Don Baker as members of the chain gang.~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide

Id: 10978182

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Recent Reviews

Cool Hand Luke Recent Reviews
  • SirPant
    September 30, 2009
    SirPant
    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!
  • mrpopcorn
    January 15, 2009
    mrpopcorn
    "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.
  • Julie
    January 4, 2009
    Julie
    I can eat 50 eggs.
  • bradwest
    November 1, 2008
    bradwest
    One of those seminal prison dramas. Excellent cast and no matter how many times you've seen it, you get caught up in things.
  • sanjurosamurai
    October 22, 2008
    sanjurosamurai
    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.
  • rudolfanddorfmeister
    November 23, 2009
    rudolfanddorfmeister
    "The man and the motion picture that simply do not conform." (from original poster)
    Truly an example of a cult classic.
  • kcddck
    November 14, 2009
    kcddck
    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.
  • thegospel2
    November 13, 2009
    thegospel2
    "Quit livin' through me"
  • marylanenalyram
    November 9, 2009
    marylanenalyram
    I'd take this over any real career path.
    super hero
  • theloneowl
    November 6, 2009
    theloneowl
    C'è poco da dire, epico.
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