Hud

Released May 28, 1963

1h 52m

Drama

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List

85%

34 Reviews

Tomatometer

89%

5,000+ Ratings

Audience Score

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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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

Full Review

Nicolas M

One of the greatest American movies.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

12/03/23

Full Review

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

Full Review

delysid d

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

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

02/15/22

Full Review

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

Lequisha S

An incredibly effective coming-of-age story that, contrary to the title, focuses not on Hud but on his nephew. The moral dilemma of choosing to be like his honorable, scrupulous, hardworking grandfather or choosing to be like his opportunistic, hedonistic, self-serving uncle is the bedrock of Lonnie's story. You feel the alluring pull of Hud's lifestyle, bolstered by the hallmark charisma of Paul Newman. A highlight of this film is the question of how to deal with cattle potentially affected with mad cow disease. It culminates in a heartwrenching sequence that truly allows the gorgeous black-and-white cinematography to shine. It's also critical to highlight Patricia Neal, who plays the housekeeper Alma. She is absolutely magnetic in this role. Every movement, every word, and every look is infectiously natural. The life she imbues the story and the tragedy of her character are real stand-outs in a film already chock-full of amazing elements. She's the temptation to give this a full five.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

12/17/21

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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Hud: Trailer 1

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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

Full Review

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

Full Review

Tom Milne

Time Out

One of Ritt's best films.

Jun 24, 2006

Full Review

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

Full Review

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

Full Review

Zita Short

InSession Film

It’s a beautifully constructed western that proved that the genre could evolve beyond gunfights and female characters who were barely able to speak.

Feb 2, 2023

Full Review

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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
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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