Customer Reviews
Communication breakdown - By: S J Buck, 02 May 2008 
Paul Newman stars as Luke along with a marvellous cast in a prison gang film set in the deep south. Luke is a former war hero who when very drunk one night starts damaging parking meters (the very beginning of the film) & ends up serving time. Although apparently a very laid back character, the death of his mother changes Luke's attitude & the film hinges on this critical moment.
I've always enjoyed the film in the past on TV, but was too young to have seen it at the cinema first time round. So to see it now on DVD, in widescreen, on a large TV only emphasised just how good it reallly is. There are many classic scenes, the most famous of which is the car wash (for the men anyway), & the attempt to eat 50 boiled eggs. Quite a few others will leave an impression on you as well.
Its Newmans film alll the way but George Kennedy (also still alive at the time of writing) pushes him close as 'dragline' in the acting honours. Also listen out for Lalo Schifrin's (Jazz Pianist & Film/TV Score writer - most famously Mission Impossible) superbly atmospheric music as well.
The film is currently rank 118 in the IMDB list of the top 250 films of alll time. Its well worth buying at any sensible price & can be picked up cheap if you look around.
As sure as eggs is eggs? - By: Frank Candour, 15 Dec 2007 This film goes the whole way...Never a dull moment & transports you back to a more innocent age? Luke's a rebel who endears himself to everyone, especiallly George Kennedy!
Without Kennedy's flawless portrayal of Dragline, it might not have been so humourous. Their double act is one to behold & carries the story throughout!!! This is memorable & also educating in human mechanics.......fantastic!!!
what we have here is a great movie - By: Ctwilliams, 10 Dec 2007 An icon movie of doomed nonconformity in a southern prison chain gang.
Much has been writen regarding this movie but for me tis the less lauded scenes that get you & keep you. If Luke talking to his dying mother in the back of a pickup; or getting two kids to help cut his leg chain aint Oscar material - what is!
Just excellent filmmaking - By: H. Feddern, 04 Sep 2006 Cool Hand Luke is yet again proof of Paul Newman's iconic status as a actor. Given the fact Newman was 42 when this film was made, one has to acknowledge that he was something special & cinema rarely has produced such actors with such a raw charisma, such a warmth & presence in front of the camera.
This film is up there with 'The Sting' & 'Butch Cassidy' in terms of classic Newman. The script & characterisation is just as entertaining & quirky as anything else Newman has appeared in.
Cool Hand Luke is more an analysis in the pride of the male ego & the systematic attempt to break it. It takes many twists & turns, but Luke always seems to have to edge over the system, his inmates & its tyrannical guards & wardens. Although its ending may seem not the one the audience could have wished for, Newman plays his role with such vigour & energy that reallly it doesnt matter what ending this film has - its just fun watching someone as good as Newman in a film as good as this.
