Hud

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Hud

Released May 28, 1963

1h 52m

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

86%

Tomatometer

35 Reviews

89%

Popcornmeter

5,000+ Ratings

Hard-drinking, arrogant, womanizing Hud Bannon (Paul Newman) lives a self-centered, indolent life supported by his hard-working and morally upstanding father, Homer (Melvyn Douglas), on the family cattle ranch in Texas. Hud's teenage nephew, Lonnie (Brandon de Wilde), blames Hud for the car crash that took the life of his father, Hud's older brother Norman, but shows hints of following in his ne'er-do-well uncle's footsteps when both men pursue family housekeeper Alma (Patricia Neal).

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Critics Consensus

A Western that swaps out the Hollywood glamor for shades of moral gray, Hud is a sobering showcase for a sterling ensemble of actors at the top of their respective games.

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TIME Magazine

The four principal actors -- Newman, Neal, Douglas, and de Wilde -- are so good that they might well form the nucleus of a cinematic repertory company.

Oct 1, 2008

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Variety Staff

Variety

Where it falls short of the mark is in its failure to filter its meaning and theme lucidly through its characters and story.

Jan 7, 2008

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Tom Milne

Time Out

One of Ritt's best films.

Jun 24, 2006

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Kristin Battestella

InSession Film

A heavy, cathartic viewing experience for any fan of nuanced film.

Jul 15, 2024

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Kat Halstead

Common Sense Media

But this is a layered family drama with a captivating energy of unease that unfolds with skill in its stunning Western setting.

Feb 8, 2024

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Pauline Kael

Film Quarterly

This response to Hud may be the only time the general audience has understood film makers better than they understood themselves.

Oct 17, 2023

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Mike J

Since this film is quite old, its impact is somewhat less shocking. Paul Newman plays a smoking, drinking bad guy who makes an impression as a womanizing cad. The real star of the movie is Brandon De Wilde as his nephew Lonnie. Brandon was an excellent actor who unfortunately died very early in his career. The movie is a must see just for Brandon.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

01/21/25

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Leaburn O

One of the best more modern Western. Gritty, dirty and harsh. Hud is a bad man and there's no polishing him into anything nicer. Ends poetically and the drama in between seems to always teeter on the brink of personal self destruction before boiling over at one uneasy point. Watched on DVD.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

01/08/24

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Nicolas M

One of the greatest American movies.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

12/03/23

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mark b

Martin Ritt has a spotty record as a director. He never is able to start a picture well, dwelling on long shots of empty roads, rivers, or landscape. In the case, however, this approach works as the film explores a character without no redeeming graces. Hud violates every principle of common behavior, lying, cheating, stealing, raping and draft dodging (the final straw to Lonnie's break with him). Paul Newman's performance is perfect, making this odious person attractive. He drives off everyone. James Wong Howe's cinematography is not only excellent, it is glorious, winning him an well-deserved Oscar. I would go so far as to say that this is Ritt's only great film.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

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delysid d

a disturbing story that feels like a lead up to cool hand luke

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

02/15/22

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jelisije j

The movie takes about an hour to really get into motion and once it does its just great.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

Full Review

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Martin Ritt

Director

Paul Newman

Hud Bannon

Melvyn Douglas

Homer Bannon

Patricia Neal

Alma Brown

Brandon De Wilde

Lonnie Bannon

John Ashley

Hermy

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Synopsis

Hard-drinking, arrogant, womanizing Hud Bannon (Paul Newman) lives a self-centered, indolent life supported by his hard-working and morally upstanding father, Homer (Melvyn Douglas), on the family cattle ranch in Texas. Hud's teenage nephew, Lonnie (Brandon de Wilde), blames Hud for the car crash that took the life of his father, Hud's older brother Norman, but shows hints of following in his ne'er-do-well uncle's footsteps when both men pursue family housekeeper Alma (Patricia Neal).

Director: Martin Ritt
Producer: Irving Ravetch, Martin Ritt
Screenwriter: Irving Ravetch, Harriet Frank Jr.
Distributor: Paramount Pictures
Production Co: Paramount
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): May 28, 1963, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Jan 1, 2011
Runtime: 1h 52m
Sound Mix: Mono
Aspect Ratio: Scope (2.35:1)

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