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Cool Hand Luke

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Cool Hand Luke

PG

Released Nov 1, 1967

2h 9m

Drama

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Popcornmeter

100%

Tomatometer

57 Reviews

95%

Popcornmeter

50,000+ Ratings

When petty criminal Luke Jackson (Paul Newman) is sentenced to two years in a Florida prison farm, he doesn't play by the rules of either the sadistic warden (Strother Martin) or the yard's resident heavy, Dragline (George Kennedy), 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.

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Critics Consensus

Though hampered by Stuart Rosenberg's direction, Cool Hand Luke is held aloft by a stellar script and one of Paul Newman's most indelible performances.

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John Mahoney

The Hollywood Reporter

Well written by Pearce and Pierson and acted by a most talented ensemble of performers, Luke succeeds as both a highly humorous and deeply dramatic study of the immolation of human spirit in captivity and as an allegory.

Dec 15, 2020

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Jake Wilson

The Age (Australia)

The whole thing depends on Newman's blue eyes, easy grin, and ability to appear charismatic but never cocky.

Sep 27, 2018

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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.

Apr 23, 2009

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Bianca Garner

Filmotomy

Cool Hand Luke has one of cinema’s best character introductions and film openings.

Oct 10, 2024

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Sean Axmaker

Stream on Demand

There’s more than a bit of Christ allegory in the imagery but it’s the character of the scruffy prisoners in the impoverished prison... that gives the film its juice.

May 6, 2023

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Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

In a career filled with iconic anti-heroes -- including what I deem the “4-H Club” from the 1960s (Hud, Harper, Hombre, and The Hustler) -- Lucas Jackson just might be the most popular of all the societal misfits played by Paul Newman.

Rated: 3.5/4

Apr 8, 2023

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chad

This as good a movie you can hope to see, until One Flew comes along and does it better.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

04/07/25

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Jerry R

This is about as perfect as a movie gets. You will be thinking about the mind of the main character for days to come.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

05/09/25

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Farah R

Cool Hand Luke hinges on Paul Newman’s devastatingly handsome face and charismatic personality. The film is a ponderous drama that tells a rather dull story about an eccentric young man. It’s not much for excitement but it’s worth watching for Newman’s acting.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

05/08/25

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Revolver 0

not perfect, but must see

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

05/06/25

Full Review

Dana B

Gotcher mind right Luke? There seems to be a failure to communicate!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/27/25

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Larry K

Can be a little slow at times, but a very cool movie.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

02/26/25

Full Review

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Stuart Rosenberg

Director

Paul Newman

Luke

George Kennedy

Dragline

J.D. Cannon

Society Red

Lou Antonio

Koko

Robert Drivas

Loudmouth Steve

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Synopsis

When petty criminal Luke Jackson (Paul Newman) is sentenced to two years in a Florida prison farm, he doesn't play by the rules of either the sadistic warden (Strother Martin) or the yard's resident heavy, Dragline (George Kennedy), 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.

Director: Stuart Rosenberg
Producer: Gordon Carroll
Screenwriter: Frank Pierson, Donn Pearce, Donn Pearce
Distributor: Warner Bros. Pictures, Warner Home Vídeo
Production Co: Warner Brothers, Jalem Productions
Rating: PG
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Nov 1, 1967, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): May 19, 2016
Runtime: 2h 9m
Sound Mix: Mono
Aspect Ratio: Scope (2.35:1)

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