Cool Hand Luke (1967)

Classic Tale of NerDoWell Becoming Hero

This movie was so before its time. We ordered it days before Newman's death was reported, and when we got the movie in the mail, he had just passed away. So, we watched it with reverance for Newman's full body of work over the years. As far as prison movies go, this would have to be at the top of the list. As far as Newman goes, this is HIS movie. He dominates the film from start to finish -- with strong supporting roles from all the actors, who have gone on to great work themselves. The movie is funny, sad, poignant, rebellious, and somewhat inspiring in terms of what the human spirit is capable of. With that said, Newman's character is made heroic for all the wrong reasons. He has no respect for authority and has clearly squandered his opportunities in life and what was apparently a successful military career. Lines like "night in the box" and "failure to communicate" still resonate in common venacular 40 years later. Viewers will also never see boiled eggs quite the same. October 30, 2008

newman's legacy

I remember this film vividly because when I first saw it, it was at a cinema in Paris--and this was my first time in the City of Light!! Also I was on my 3 day leave from the Air Force and when I saw that famous scene when warden Strother Martin beat Luke (Newman) after he says, "Boss, why are you so nice to me?" to which Martin utters the famous lines, "What we have here is a failure--to communicate", it rang in my ears as an ironic twist to my days in Basic training. The late Paul Newman, who died just this last Friday, the 26 of September, lived and died like his character, Luke, in defiance but always smiling. His defiance was in what people had pegged him for--the handsome movie star with beautiful blue eyes with a classical face. Instead he channeled this defiance into helping other less fortunate people than he was---the terminally ill children (the Hole in the Wall), relief funds for the people in the Gulf, various charities, etc. Also he lived away from Hollywood, in Connecticut where he and his family were just folks. But another reason I've seen this movie countless times is because it was shot near my hometown of Stockton, California---those crossroads in the film sure remind of the Valley. This film could stand as perhaps the best or if not one of the best, a great film in the Newman catalog--it pre-dated other rebel films like "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest" and "Dog Day Afternoon" by almost a decade. If one could chose one film that is indicative of Paul Newman--this is it!! October 1, 2008

The Spirit of the Anti-Hero

Paul Newman died yesterday, and I watched 'Cool Hand Luke' in his memory. Paul liked to think he was an ordinary guy. He played ordinary guys in his films, and he hung around ordinary people. The difference is that Paul Newman knew his own mind and no one could push him. That is the kind of character that Paul Newman best portrayed.

Luke Jackson was a war hero, who may have suffered from PTSD. Certainly Luke did not want to face his demons, he did not like people, he did not want to be anyone's hero; he wanted to go his own way. Damn those people anyway.

Luke was caught drunk removing the top of parking meters and sentenced to two years in a southern chain gang. Sounds like Hell and it was. Day after day with sweaty back breaking work. Up at dawn and back at night. He fit in with the other guys, he was silent but was not afraid to speak up. He spoke back to the boss and went his own way. Luke was beaten to a pulp by the leader of the group, Dragline, played by George Kennedy and from then on they had an easy truce. He ate 50 eggs in a contest to ease the boredom, and he became someone the other guys looked up to. He spent a couple of nights in the "box' when his mom died so he would not be tempted to escape. However, escape he did three times. And, each time he was brought back and mercilessly beaten by the guards. His escape was all of their escapes, and the fellas cheered and reveled in his freedom, but the last time he was brought back and broken down piece by piece until he was only a mirror of himself. He became the yes man to everyone and did what he was told. And, then the last escape, and he knew this was it, he did not have the strength or the will to continue. He left smiling as he always did. He was tired of playing a hero and he had become a discouraged man who would no longer pay the price.

'Cold Hand Luke' was made in 1967- the end of the era of heroes. Luke was one of the first anti-heroes. He did not care what people thought of him. He was a good guy who became a bad guy because he didn't like us or them. And, we believed him. Paul Newman was our hero whether he wanted to be one or not. He was the good guy.

Highly Recommended. prisrob 09-27-08

The Films of Paul Newman (The Verdict/The Hustler/Butch Cassidy)

The Long, Hot Summer
September 28, 2008

Newman's quintessential role

Well, one of many ... My favorite actor, ever...and one of my favorite films of all time. My heartfelt condolences to Paul Newman's family, at his passing 9-26-08...



September 27, 2008

What we have here is a failure to communicate! (And hard-boiled eggs!)

"Oh Lucille, Lucille! Any girl with legs and a body like that has got to be named Lucille!"

*Includes roadwork, digging, a carwash, a cardgame, a egg eating, three escapes, and lots of Paul Newman smiles.

The best prison movie to date, better than Stephen King's Shawshank Redemption and The Green Mile. One of the best movies of all time. My favorite movie right up there with Fight Club.
Clawed - The Legend of Sasquatch

September 26, 2008

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