Rating: Summary: One of the great all-time classics Review: Take a superb script, a talented cast, and skilled direction, and a film like "Cool Hand Luke" is the result. In his finest performance ever (for which he should have won the Best Actor Oscar), Newman brilliantly portrays Lucas Jackson, a likeable nonconformist who pits himself against a system which is always unfair and often brutal. The supporting cast is also outstanding; although George Kennedy won a much-deserved Oscar as Best Supporting Actor, Strother Martin stole the show with his portrayal of the warden. This just may be the best American film of all time.
Rating: Summary: Newman is just plain cool! Great flick. One of the best! Review: This movie should be a rite of passage- a flick every dad shows his son, not to limit it as a guy flick. High schools showed this film for years to their English classes for various reasons. They don't do that with trivial flick folks. Strother Martin, George Kennedy and Newman steal the show (could anyone but Newman's smile be more appropriate for this role?), but the other bit characters in the prison are priceless. "Babalugots! We got a bet here! I'll bet you this goes down as one of the greatest movies of all time!"
Rating: Summary: By far, Newman's best movie Review: "What we got here is a failure to communicate". I've heard that now and then. When I saw CHL, I finally heard where it came from. Next to Shawshank Redemption, it's my favorite prison movie.
Rating: Summary: "Sometimes nothing can be a real cool film." Review: The first time I saw "Cool Hand Luke" I was not overly immpresed with it. I thought he was a "punk" who had desevedly fallen on hard luck.I have since seen the movie ten-twelve times. I think a lot can be learned about "Luke" (Paul Newman)in the scene when his mother goes to visit him. It is clear that he always wanted to please his mother, but he ended up more like his father. Arletta(Luke's mother) makes allusions to Luke's father not being good at sticking around. From the start, there have been many people who have left Luke far behind. The girl from Kentucky, all of his mates, he lost in the War, and finally his mother when she passed on. This was the "final straw" so to speak. Luke was going to run for sure. The true beauty of "Luke's" character was the fact that he was able to give many people, hope without having any of his own. He makes two references to "The Man Upstairs". Once in the rain asking his to just let him know that he is up there, and another time letting him know that he felt cheated. Every man in that camp loved and respected "Luke". "Dragline"(George Kennedy)called Luke "a natural born world shaker". I could not have put it any better myself. I felt this was a top-notch screen play, and the acting was incredible. I have not seen Newman give a better performance. Kennedy was well deserving of the "best supporting actor" Oscar. Look closely for Dennis Hopper, Joe Don Baker, Harry Dean Stanton and many others. This film should be on everyone's must see list.
Rating: Summary: DVD is not failing to communicate here! Review: Perhaps one of the best movies of all time. A true gem. Paul Newman is at his best as a rebellious and charasmatic member of a southern chain gang. His Christ like attributes have made this character a part of many film studies classes in Jesuit colleges around the nation. Along with the religious aspect of the movie, the story is a remarkable tale of one man's fight against society and its harsh laws. This movie is an absolute must for any collection.
Rating: Summary: Sometimes nothin' is a real cool hand! Review: Excellent video transfer! very clear picture and the audio follow subtitle feature was real helpful for a 'northener' trying understand some of that southern drawl!I had forgotten what a great film this is... Newman is flawless in his Jesus-like character. A must have for any DVD library
Rating: Summary: NEWMAN SHOULD'VE GOTTEN THE OSCAR FOR THIS ONE Review: Perhaps one of Newman's finest roles ever. "Cool Hand Luke" is the story of a man delt few cards in life, but with dreams as large as any other man's. At times,hilariously funny and at others, deeply touching. It is without a doubt one of the greatest films ever made.
Rating: Summary: Paul Newman at his finest. Review: A fabulous movie. Paul Newman's best role. Cool Hand Luke is the type of guy people want to be or be around. "Sometimes nothin' is a real cool hand".
Rating: Summary: Criminally splendid Review: In a year in which "The Graduate", "Bonnie and Clyde" and "In the Heat of the Night" were released, "Cool Hand Luke" is often overlooked (despite the fact that it is probably the least dated of the bunch, as fine as the other films are). Still, this film resonates with strong performances, anchored by Newman's portrayal of the war veteran who has just returned from the carnage of Viet Nam and finds himself jailed for "settling an old score" -- destroying petty, arbitrary authority in the form of parking meters. Newman's performance is top notch, splendidly representing the power of an individual spirit in the face of oppressive authority which attempts to get him to submit to their rules and regulations. A christ-figure who is not convinced of God's presence, yet still yearns for spiritual sustenance, Newman's Luke is a character who still commands the screen and will leave you shaken.
Rating: Summary: Classic Paul Newman In His Prime Review: I have just seen this movie again after many years. It is great to see Paul Newman at his best in a movie released in 1967 which was filmed about 38 years ago. This is one of the movies that made him so famous.
Luke is sent to prison into a chain gang for a petty crime. He finds himself in a very strict, brutal and crushing prison system. The story is about his incredible bravery as he tries in spirit and in actuality to battle back from being brutalized by the guards. In the end, he only makes it out of the prison in spirit. His prison escapes fail.
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