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Cool Hand Luke

Play trailer Poster for Cool Hand Luke PG Released Nov 1, 1967 2h 9m Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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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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Cool Hand Luke

Cool Hand Luke

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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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Critics Reviews

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John Mahoney 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 Full Review 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 Full Review 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 Full Review Bianca Garner Filmotomy Cool Hand Luke has one of cinema’s best character introductions and film openings. Oct 10, 2024 Full Review 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 Full Review 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 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Fer S Not bad, I just found it really boring. Too slow and not very interesting plot. Rated 2 out of 5 stars 09/22/24 Full Review Lanfranco C The wish of freedom! Rated 2 out of 5 stars 09/20/24 Full Review Azriel L I grew up watching this movie and have loved it my whole life. Just watched it and still in love Rated 5 out of 5 stars 04/10/24 Full Review Alec C One man manages to keep his "cool" amidst the brutal inhumanity of a harsh prison system! Luke Jackson earns the admiration of his fellow prisoners and the ire of the warden for his free-spirited and rebellious streak, which leads him to pull off some daring jailbreaks that only cement his legacy as a rebel on the run. With Paul Newman adding his charm and wit to the titular character, we find ourselves loving the character despite the fact that he's an outlaw! Rated 5 out of 5 stars 03/31/24 Full Review Jake B This movie should be on everyone's watch list. I believe it's one of the greatest prison movies of all time! Paul Newman is obviously fantastic as Luke, but I believe that the entire cast of this film "nailed" it. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 01/28/24 Full Review Jody S A must see for any movie lover. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 01/19/24 Full Review Read all reviews
Cool Hand Luke

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Cool Hand Luke

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Movie Info

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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