Rating: 
Summary: A Great American Tragedy
Review: If there is a picture in this world that proves film is as great an art form as the novel, it is "Hud." Intricate, well layered, and ultimately heartbreaking, "Hud" is an American tragedy that easily merits comparison with Eugene O' Neil's New England dramas as it is a simple, yet profound contemplation of human nature. Though a tale of morality, "Hud" is at its core a eulogy to a bygone era of America's past, and devastating portrait of modern degeneration. The performances are nothing less than fantastic as the characters presented in "Hud" are all so well realized that their presences will haunt the viewer long after the screen fades to black. Paul Newman is at his best as the despicable title character, while Patricia Neal gives her most legendary performance as a rangy housekeeper. Equally brilliant are Melvyn Douglas whose character functions as the film's moral center, and the young Brandon de Wilde whose character serves as the innocent spectator to the story's tragedy.Though the deserved winner of several Academy Awards, "Hud" has become somewhat of a forgotten masterpiece. If you have never seen this beautiful movie, go out and rent it now! I guarantee it will move you to tears!
Rating:
Summary: A great western and a tale for our times
Review: In the pivotal scene in Hud, Homer Bannon (Melvyn Douglas) confronts his nihilistic son Hud (Paul Newman) while his nephew looks on. In one of the great scenes of all time, Homer tells his son:
"Oh, you got all that charm goin' for you, and it makes the youngsters want to be like you. That's the shame of it. Because you don't value nothin.' You don't respect nothin.' You keep no check on your appetites at all. You live just for yourself and that makes you not fit to live with."
Later, he addresses his newphew Lon who chides the man for his harsh treatment of Hud and says "Lonnie, little by little the face of the country changes because of the men we admire. You're just gonna have to make up your mind one day, about what's right and what's wrong."
This is the theme of Hud -- a youngster learning manhood from his two models -- his hedonistic, unprincipled uncle and his conservative, righteous grandfather who values integrity.
And like Peckinpah's magnificent "Wild Bunch" it is about the dying of the West. The urban, progressive Hud is fighting against the rural ways of his father. Hud wants to dig for oil but Homer won't punch holes in his sacred land. Hud wants to sell sick cows to his neighbors to avoid a government quarantine. Homer wants to follow the law. And that is what fascinates me about this film. People who watch this film identify more with Hud. He's the lovable rascal. Some viewers genuinely like him and wonder why Lon chooses the path of his grandfather. The grandfather seems rigid, self-righteous and even quietly harsh. Yet it is the hard way which is the right way in this film. Hud has destroyed all those around him - his brother, the housekeeper and ultimately the grandfather. It is a good lesson that wrong things sometimes come in pretty packages. It is a great lesson for today: who do we admire? Who are our heroes? Do they really deserve our affection and how does that pervert all of us.
Ritt is magnificent. He juxtaposes Newman's loud, kinetic Hud with the quiet and slow Homer. James Wong Howes cinemetagraphy captures the starkness of Texas but fills it with a quiet beauty. The acting is subtle and nuanced and O'Neil and Douglas deserved Oscars for their timeless performances. Newman, who has trouble keeping a Texas accent is overrated in this film but it hardly matters. The film is a masterpiece but a quiet masterpiece.
Rating:
Summary: Possibly Paul Newman's greatest performance.
Review: In this smalltown drama, Hud (Paul Newman) seems very independent. He drinks, womanizes and drives fast. While this intrigues Hud's nephew, it disapoints his father. In reality Hud craves attention. When he begins actively seeking this attention, he drives away everyone close to him. This is quite possibly Paul Newman's greatest performances. While his character does not show the great range of emotions as other films such as "Cool Hand Luke," or "Nobody's Fool," he does put on quite a show. This is a must for anyone interested in Paul Newman.
Rating:
Summary: A CLASSIC WORTH REVIEW
Review: IT SEEMS IN THIS DAY AND AGE OF NONSENSE MOVIES, THE ENLIGHTENED OFTEN HAVE TO SCOUR THE ARCHIVES TO FIND CREATIVE ENTERTAINMENT.
DESPITE PAUL NEWMAN'S CONTEMPORARY 'LIBERAL' MINDLESSNESS 'HUD' REMINDS US THAT HE WAS A GOOD ACTOR ONCE.
HE PLAYS HUD BANNON, REBELLIOUS SON OF A BIG TEXAS RANCHER.
HUD AND HIS FATHER (MELVYN DOUGLAS) LOCK HORNS FREQENTLY AS THEIR PERSONALITIES AND MORALITY ARE FAR FROM COMPLIMENTARY.
HUD IS BASICLY A SELF SERVING, EGOTISTICAL OVERAGE BRAT THAT SEES THE WORLD AS HIS PERSONAL PLAYGROUND DESIGNED TO BENEFIT HIM AND HIM ALONE.
THE PATRIARCH FATHER IS FROM THE OLD SCHOOL, AND IS THE CONSIENCE OF THE FILM. THE DAD IS A STAND UP, DO THE RIGHT THING TYPE THAT USE TO BE MORE THE RULE IN PEOPLE RATHER THAN THE EXECPTION AS IT IS TODAY.
A 'LOOKING FOR A ROLE MODEL' NEPHEW IS THROWN INTO THE MIX (BRANDON DEWILDE) OF 'SHANE' FAME, AND THIS KID BECOMES THE CATALYST FOR EMOTIONAL SHOWDOWNS BETWEEN THE ROGUE AND THE GRANDPA. ALL PARTS ARE PLAYED WELL AND IT IS A SHAME DEWILDE WAS KILLED SHORTLY AFTER THIS MOVIE CAME OUT. HE PROVES TO BE A TALENTED ACTOR WHO OBVIOUSLY HAD PROMISE IN THIS ARENA. 'HUD' IS A MORALITY PLAY BETWEEN BLACK AND WHITE RIGHT AND VARIOUS SHADES OF GRAY REALITY. IF YOU CAN GET PAST NEWMANS FLIMSY POLITICS AND JUST WATCH THIS ONE FOR WHAT IT IS, YOU WILL LEARN SOMETHING AND BE ENTERTAINED IN THE BARGAIN.
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Summary: Absolutely beautiful cinematography
Review: James Wong Howe richly deserved the oscar he got for this movie. The black and white cinematography is truly haunting.Every shot is so expertly framed and every camera movement is so fluid. Nothing is wasted as the acting is superb. Newman gave his performance of a lifetime and Melvyn Douglas is incredible. Patricia Neal deserved the oscar she received as Best actress. This movie deserves more attention than what it has received so far.
Rating:
Summary: One of My Favorite Movies
Review: Martin Ritt only made two great pictures and this is one of them (the other was Norma Rae later in his career). A classic (1963) Hollywood picture, nominated in most of the major Oscar categories (and winner of several including Patricia Neal for leading actress, Melvyn Douglas for supporting actor, and its awesome cinematography), it is a perfect blend of great acting from all the leads, great screenwriting (from an early Larry McMurtry book), great direction and great production. This film is often played on AMC (which means, unfortunately, that it is not shown in wide screen). Why this is not available on DVD is beyond me. Highly recommended.
Rating:
Summary: HUD -Excellent in Every Way
Review: Maybe Newman's best film of the 1960s. It is obvious to see why James Wong Howe won the oscar for his beautiful cinematography.Acting is superb on everyone's part.Wonderful use of small town and Texas ranch locations.Screenplay is so rich and juicy, one wonders why screenwriter did not recieve oscar.Highly recommended tale of moral degredation in contemporary America works on every level.
Rating:
Summary: Newman At The Top Of His Form
Review: Melvyn Douglas stars as a cattle ranch owner faced with every cattleman's worst nightmare - foot and mouth disease which could lead to the mandatory destruction of his whole stock. Paul Newman is his selfish son Hud, a man with an appetite for the ladies and his own interests that has caused his morally driven father a lot of grief over the years. Brandon de Wilde is Douglas' grandson by his oldest son, a boy torn between the morality projected by his grandfather and the fun, careless image of his uncle. Patricia Neal stars as the housekeeper, a woman wise beyond her years who has seen a lot in her life and finds Hud dangerously attractive. These four characters are the heart of this character driven film, shot in beautiful, stark black and white that emphasizes the emptiness of the land around and the lives of those living on it. The conflicts are well presented, with sharp, revealing dialogue, and in the hands of these terrific actors, each character comes to life. Enough praise can't be given to each actor for their work here, although Paul Newman must be singled out. This is as good as he gets, and that says a lot. There's not much in Hud's character to admire, but in some ways, the viewer does. He's dangerous and doesn't pretend to be anything else. He lives for himself, and makes no apologies. Hud is an unforgettable character. This is a movie that everyone should make a point to watch.
Rating:
Summary: A True Classic
Review: Paul Newman gives his finest screen performance as a Texas heel out to snatch the family ranch out from under his virtuous father. Melvyn Douglas won a richly deserved Oscar as the father and Brandon de Wilde of Shane fame is excellent as Newman's nephew who's torn between the old-time virtues of his grandfather and the freewheeliing ways of his uncle. The only flaw in the film is Patricia Neal. Despite winning an Oscar for her portrayal of Alma, the housekeeper, I didn't think she was all that good. Adequate yes but certainly not Oscar worthy.
Rating:
Summary: Paul Newman at his best!
Review: Paul Newman is one of the finest actors of this century, and he proves it here. As the drunk cowboy who never seems to get it right, Newman proves to the world that his good looks aren't all he is. A must for any Newman fan.
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