Storyline
When petty criminal Luke Jackson is sentenced to two years in a Florida prison farm, he doesn't play by the rules of either the sadistic warden or the yard's resident heavy, Dragline, who ends up admiring the new guy's unbreakable will. Luke's bravado, even in the face of repeated stints in the prison's dreaded solitary confinement cell, "the box," make him a rebel hero to his fellow convicts and a thorn in the side of the prison officers.
Directors
Cast
Rance Howard, Harry Dean Stanton, Paul Newman, Anthony Zerbe, Dennis Hopper, Kim Kahana, Strother Martin, George Kennedy, Clifton James, Luke Askew, James Gammon, Joe Don Baker, Buck Kartalian, John McLiam, Ralph Waite, Warren Finnerty, Charles Tyner, Robert Donner, Morgan Woodward, James Jeter, J. D. Cannon, John Pearce, Lou Antonio, Robert Drivas, Jo Van Fleet, Marc Cavell, Richard Davalos, Chuck Hicks, Joy Harmon, Wayne Rogers, Donn Pearce, Rush Williams
Trailer
Reviews
100
Luke is the first Newman character to understand himself well enough to tell us to shove off. He's through risking his neck to make us happy. With this film, Newman completes a cycle of five films over six years, and together they have something to say about the current status of heroism. But Cool Hand Luke does draw together threads from the earlier movies, especially Hombre, and it is a tough, honest film with backbone.
100
Paul Newman gives one of his best performances in this prison film, where he inspires life in to his fellow inmates. Has something important to say with several memorable moments and a superb supporting cast.
100
Mr. Newman is excellent, at the top of his sometime erratic form, in the role of this warped and alienated loner whose destiny it is to lose. George Kennedy is powerfully obsessive as the top-dog who handles things his way as effectively and finally as destructively as does the warden or the guards.
100
One of the sharpest prison dramas ever, although it's graced with some very humorous portions as well.
90
Newman gives an excellent performance, assisted by a terrific supporting cast, including George Kennedy, outstanding as the unofficial leader of the cons who yields first place to Newman.
Other Movies You Might Enjoy
Jan 31, Jan 2017Bitter Harvest (2017)
Nov 21, Nov 2014Late Phases (2014)
Nov 9, Nov 2017Vazante (2017)
Jan 9, Jan 2026A Gangster’s Life (2026)
May 11, May 2018Terminal (2018)
Mar 13, Mar 2019The Death and Life of John F. Donovan (2019)
Sep 23, Sep 2004New Police Story (2004)
Jul 12, Jul 2024The Beads (2024)