Cool Hand Luke

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Cool Hand Luke

PG

1967

2h 9m

Drama

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Popcornmeter

100%

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56 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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James G.

Fantastic movie I’ve watched it probably 20 times

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

10/09/25

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welsh l

A perfect film. Cast is ideal. The pace of events and language is perfect. It is a window into how choices shape your world. Too much pride can be your ruination.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

07/29/25

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Nathan B

“Natural born world-shaker”. Cool Hand Luke is a gripping exploration of a man’s search for purpose and meaning in the world, as he defies the rules and regulations imposed by others, even those dictated by God. Paul Newman reveals an immovable and unbreakable spirit, unbeknownst to others, who tries desperately to feed off his freedom, yet is captive to their fear of breaking society’s place for them. Luke finds himself reeling from emptiness and alienation at times, but never considers conforming as his path toward belonging. He fails to find meaning while others find meaning in him, gravitating toward him. Ultimately, Luke asked where his place on this Earth was, and God answered him.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

07/28/25

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Patrick C

First time viewer and what a classic it is. So many wonderful performances and one of those films where you could pause numerous shots and make outstanding still photographs. And of course the highlight is the performance by Paul Newman, coolest dude to ever exist.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

07/16/25

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Hao Ian L

An early pioneer of films that study systemic injustice and rebellion, with Paul Newman, who succeeds as one sympathetic and effortlessly charismatic prisoner, you find yourself rooting for.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

06/18/25

Full Review

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Stuart Rosenberg

Director

Paul Newman

Luke

George Kennedy

Dragline

J.D. Cannon

Society Red

Lou Antonio

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Robert Drivas

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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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