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Cool Hand Luke Customer Reviews (1 - 3 of 36 Reviews)

Paul Newman BECOMES Luke...
He really does become him...
Now I'm a *huge* Newman fan...obviously his looks, but his acting has always kept me a fan.

You really feel for Luke because of how Newman portrays him. Other actors may not be so sympathetic. Or at least - not believable. This is IMO one of 3 or 4 of his best performances.
Such a shame...a travesty...that he never won an Oscar in the '60's. The Academy should be ashamed of themselves for waiting until they felt they "owed" it to him.

Really, the best scene to me has always been when Luke is singing "Plastic Jesus". Not only the fact the he can actually sing (lol)...but the pain in his voice is just right.
Another good one is when they "break him"...when they're trying to get his mind straight. It's so pitiful and emotional. Perfection is that performance.

Anyway...if you want the film's plot - read above. I don't care to write about that after so many others have.

***The DVD review***
As of this date (8/3/06) the current DVD is...blah. The picture is great, the sound is pretty good. But the extras suck. Maybe one day they'll come up with a better version. When I love a film, I want it loaded with extras. Esp. commentary at the very least. Or some backstory on it.
So I give the film 5/5 stars because it's on my top 10 list of Best Films of All Time, but the DVD gets a "3".

"Love Me, Hate Me, Kill Me, Anything, Just Let Me Know"
Released in '69, 'Cool Hand Luke' is in my opinion Paul Newman's signature film and one of the great classic films of all-time. Everything worked together perfectly in this movie; A marvelous directing job by Stuart Rosenberg, terrific contemporary soundtrack by Lalo Schifrin and and ensemble cast to die for. There are so many well known faces in this film and so many great, quotable lines you'll never forget.

Newman plays the recently incarcerated Luke. Assigned to a chain gang to serve out a relatively short sentence for cutting the heads off parking meters, his non conformist ways earn the respect of the other inmates and the hatred of the guards and captain.

What makes 'Cool Hand Luke' so memorable is the fact that it's a story within a story. On the one hand you have a mundane prison tale of a group of societal misfits serving time for their various indisgressions. However on a deeper level you have a Messianic parody with Luke as the Christ. As the inmates embrace him as their "Chosen One" the guards seek to destroy him for disturbing the established order. A great film on so many levels. For those who like to read into the story, or for those who are just looking for a little entertainment.

George Kennedy received a well deserved Oscar for his supporting role, but it really should have won many more. Newman is magnificent and Martin Strother once again proves himself to be one of the greatest character actors of his generation. A near perfect film.

One of the Essentials!

Paul Newman's Colt Classic
'Cool Hand Luke' was set for release in 1969, and is Paul Newman's most well known film. The film was directed by Stuart Rosenberg, and has a supurb soundtrack by Lalo Schifrin. Once you have watched this film it will always be in your mind, with numerous classic scenes and great one liners.

Simply indulge yourself...

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