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Cool Hand Luke on DVD (1967)

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Average rating: 78%
111116820610
4.0
from 2,121 members
 
Starring: Paul Newman, George Kennedy, Dennis Hopper, Strother Martin, J.D. Cannon, Wayne Rogers, Anthony Zerbe, Ralph Waite, Harry Dean Stanton, Joe Don Baker, Clifton James, Lou Antonio, Morgan Woodward
Director: Stuart Rosenberg
Studio: WARNER HOME VIDEO
Run time: 121 mins
Certificate: 15
User collections: Stef's Top 100 - A Miscellany, Paris Hilton's Chain-Gang Collection (unofficial), MOVIES THAT MATTER, films with heart, i like...., Dirty Frank's Gritty movies, Top 20 films, films to love!, Pills, Thrills & Bellylaughs, all time great's
Genres: Action/Adventure, Drama
Languages: English
Released: 01/02/2006
Also Available on:  Also Available on: BLU-RAY

Brief synopsis of Cool Hand Luke

In this classic Southern prison drama, social misfit Lucas Luke Jackson (Paul Newman) is incarcerated for a petty crime and sentenced to a chain gang. Luke is a sullen and laconic young man whose cool defiance of the sadistic warden and bullying inmates earns him the title Cool Hand Luke. But as the prisoners' respect for Luke grows into hero worship, he finds that he must risk everything in order to live up to their expectations.

Filled with dozens of memorable scenes (Luke eating 50 eggs) and quotable lines (What we have here is a failure to communicate), COOL HAND LUKE is a testament to excellent screenwriting (Donn Pearce and Frank Pierson) and Newman's charm and skill as an actor. The film also features an outstanding supporting cast that includes George Kennedy, Strother Martin, and early screen appearances by Dennis Hopper and Harry Dean Stanton.

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Critics Reviews

Rating of 4 stars out of 5 Radio Times

Chiming perfectly with the “Summer of Love” in which it was released, this subtle blend of acknowledging the needs of the individual and respecting a freedom of spirit was one of the key American films of the 1960s. It's basically an old-fashioned chain-gang movie — not much had changed at Warner Bros since the days of Paul Muni's I Am a Fugitive from a Chain Gang — except that this time the tale is told in stunning Technicolor. Paul Newman is superb in the Muni role, and both the prologue and the egg-eating scene have become screen classics. The religious symbolism does get a little tiresome, but the movie is clearly the career high point of director Stuart Rosenberg and a real credit to Jack Lemmon's production company. The film was also influential in the massive popularity of Raybans!

Rating of 2 
	  stars out of 4 Halliwell's Film Guide

Allegedly a Christ-allegory, this well-made and good-looking film is only partially successful as an entertainment; slow stretches of soul-searching alternate with brutality, and not much acting is possible.

USA Today

Paul Newman had one of his best roles... Much of the fun today comes from eyeing minor players. Newman's fellow rock-splitters include Dennis Hopper and Richard Davalos...

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Members Reviews

Reviews Voted Most Helpful

Rated - 5 starsA True Classic

Sir John Read from Ascot , 04/06/2008

This film successfully transports the viewer into the troubled world of Luke, a popular (but not necessarily seeking popularity) man. He at some point hits the self-destruct button but I loved him and was totally absorbed in his struggle against both the system and life generally. A great film which is a triumph of substance over action.

  4 out of 4 people found this review helpful
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Rated - 5 starsSuperb Movie

Michael Thompson from Sunderland , 25/07/2004

My Dad was about 6 when this was made- so fair to say its stood the test of time- Superb film- remarkable acting from Newman- Super cool film- anyone any age can appreciate.

  3 out of 5 people found this review helpful
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Rated - 5 starsClassic

A customer from England , 18/10/2005

Classic, utterly classic - one of the best movies of all time...

  2 out of 3 people found this review helpful
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Rated - 5 starsAll time classic

A customer from Liverpool, UK , 30/09/2004

All time classic 'Prisoner' Movie. Some scenes are infamous in film history and have been copied, in some form or another many times over.

Classic scenes from this film are reqularly quoted in TV's obsession with 'TOP 10' lists.

These include:

The carwash scene,

Boiled eggs

and the prison visit.

  1 out of 2 people found this review helpful
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Most Recent Reviews

Rated - 5 starsSuperb Movie

Michael Thompson from Sunderland , 25/07/2004

My Dad was about 6 when this was made- so fair to say its stood the test of time- Superb film- remarkable acting from Newman- Super cool film- anyone any age can appreciate.

  3 out of 5 people found this review helpful
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Rated - 5 starsa classic

A customer from london england , 24/08/2006

a superb film ,a definate must see

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