Cool Hand Luke

Cool Hand Luke (1967)

  • 100% of critics liked it
    (44 reviews)

  • 93% of users liked it
    (58,518 ratings)

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 after he's arrested for drunkenly decapitating parking meters. While the avowed ambition of the captain… More

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PG, 2 hr. 6 min.
Directed By
Stuart Rosenberg
Written By
Donn Pearce, Frank Pierson
Genres
Drama, Classics, Comedy
In Theaters
Jan 1, 1967 Wide
On DVD
Nov 3, 1997
Warner Bros.

Critic Reviews

  • Dave Kehr, Chicago Reader

    Stuart Rosenberg's direction is a horror, but the cast teems with so many familiar faces that this 1967 film can't help but entertain.

  • , TIME Magazine

    A picture of chilling dramatic power.

  • Variety Staff, Variety

    Newman gives an excellent performance, assisted by a terriffic supporting cast, including George Kennedy, outstanding as the unofficial leader of the cons who yields first place to Newman.

  • Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

    A tough, honest film with backbone.

  • James Berardinelli, ReelViews

    It's as fresh and effective in 2004 as it was in 1967.

Read all 18 critic reviews

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Featured Audience Ratings

  • Graham J


    Though the film has flaws, the performances by Newman and the whole cast are just amazing.

  • Tsubaki S


    The problem with Luke is that he's so "cool" that you can't really care for him, or his antics. I guess this is suppose to be a statement about sticking it to the man, never giving up or something like that. Sorry but Luke is no Kowalski, and he's not driving… More

  • Dan S


    Without a doubt one of the best movies from the 60's, thanks in large part due to a couple of admirable turns from both Paul Newman and George Kennedy. This is really just an impossible movie not to like - Newman's character is introduced under somewhat mysterious… More

  • Reid V


    "What we have here is failure to communicate" is not only a famous piece of dialogue from this film, but also sums up director Stuart Rosenberg's film Cool Hand Luke. While the story provides so many moments to really dive into the hearts and minds of these characters,… More

  • xGary X


    One of the all-time icons of cinematic rebellion, Luke is thrown into a chain gang for two years when he gets drunk and decides to decapitate all of his small southern town's parking meters. His stubborn refusal to bow to the will of authority eventually makes him a hero to his… More

Read all 20 featured audience ratings

Cast

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