Cool Hand Luke (1967)
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A nonconformist convict in a 1950s Florida prison camp refuses to submit to the system.
The story
In early 1950s Florida, decorated World War II veteran Lucas "Luke" Jackson is sentenced to two years on a chain gang in a prison camp. Under the rule of a stern warden and a mysterious guard known as "the man with no eyes," Luke finds himself in a system where even minor violations are punished severely. Rather than submitting to the established order, Luke becomes a defiant figure among the prisoners. His refusal to acquiesce to the guards and his ability to maintain his independence and sense of humor begin to earn him the respect of his fellow inmates, turning him into a symbol of resistance against the harsh reality of the prison camp.
Full plot (contains spoilers)
After being sentenced to a Florida chain gang, Luke becomes a folk hero among the prisoners by refusing to submit to the warden's authority. He wins the respect of the inmates, including the leader Dragline, after a series of defiant acts and a successful road-paving job. After his mother dies, Luke attempts to escape twice, resulting in him being punished with heavier chains and forced labor. During his second escape, he is eventually recaptured and, after a final act of defiance, is shot in the neck by a guard. In his final moments, he is taken to a distant infirmary while Dragline, his only friend, is left behind. The film concludes with a scene showing the prisoners continuing their work, still remembering Luke's defiance.
- First release year
- 1967
- Runtime (minutes)
- 126
- Production countries
- United States
- Original languages
- English
- Directors
- Stuart Rosenberg
- Writers
- Donn Pearce · screenplay; Frank R. Pierson · screenplay
- Cast and characters
- Paul Newman · Luke; George Kennedy · Dragline; J. D. Cannon; Robert Drivas; Lou Antonio; Strother Martin · the Captain; Jo Van Fleet · Arletta; Morgan Woodward · Boss Godfrey
- Genres
- prison drama
- Themes
- Christian imagery; anti-establishment
- Tone and mood
- brutally realistic; raw
- Premise and plot tags
- prison; war veteran; defiance
- Source material / true-story basis
- Pearce's semi-autobiographical 1965 novel
- Reception
- The film was a box-office success and received favorable reviews, being praised for its realism and Paul Newman's performance.
- Reported review scores
- Rotten Tomatoes · score: 100% · scale: 100%
- Awards and nominations
- Academy Award · Best Supporting Actor · win
- Production trivia
- The film's musical score was nominated for an Oscar.; The 'failure to communicate' line was used in the song 'Civil War' and the movie 'Madagascar'.; The film was selected for preservation in the National Film Registry.
Film metadata comes from the open sources listed in Credits & Contact. Catalogue details may be incomplete.
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