Cool Hand Luke [Blu-ray]

Director: Stuart Rosenberg Stuart Rosenberg

Overview

Paul Newman was nominated for an Oscar and George Kennedy received one for his work in this allegorical prison drama. Luke Jackson (Paul Newman) is sentenced to a stretch on a southern chain gang after he's arrested for drunkenly decapitating parking meters. While the avowed ambition of the captain (Strother Martin) is for each prisoner to "get their mind right," it soon becomes obvious that Luke is not about to kowtow to anybody. When challenged to a fistfight by fellow inmate Dragline (George Kennedy), Luke simply refuses to give up, even though he's brutally beaten. Luke knows how to win at poker, even with bad cards, by using his smarts and playing it cool. Luke also figures out a way for the men to get their work done in half the usual time, giving them the afternoon off. Finally, when Luke finds out his mother has died, he plots his escape; when he's caught, he simply escapes again. Soon, Luke becomes a symbol of hope and resilience to the other men in the prison camp -- and a symbol of rebelliousness that must be stamped out to the guards and the captain. Along with stellar performances by Newman, Kennedy, and Martin, Cool Hand Luke features a superb supporting cast, including Ralph Waite, Harry Dean Stanton, Dennis Hopper, Wayne Rogers, and Joe Don Baker as members of the chain gang.

Product Details

Release Date:	09/09/2008
UPC:	0085391156819
Original Release:	1967
Rating:	PG
Source:	STUDIO DISTRIBUTION SERVS LLC
Presentation:	[Wide Screen]
Sound:	[Dolby Digital Mono]
Language:	English
Time:	2:06:00
Sales rank:	9,137

Special Features

New digital transfer from restored pictures and audio elements; Commentary by historian/Neman biographre Eric Lax; New documentary: A Natural-Born World-Shaker - Making CoolHand Luke; Theatrical trailer

Cast & Crew

Performance Credits

Paul Newman	Lucas Jackson
George Kennedy	Dragline
J.D. Cannon	Society Red
Jo Van Fleet	Arletta
Lou Antonio	Koko
Robert Drivas	Loudmouth Steve
Strother Martin	Captain
Clifton James	Carr
Dennis Hopper	Babalugats
Morgan Woodward	Boss Godfrey
Luke Askew	Boss Paul Hunnicut
Anthony Zerbe	Dog Boy
Marc Cavell	Rabbitt
Richard Davalos	Blind Dick
Wayne Rogers	Gambler
Harry Dean Stanton	Edgar `Tramp' Potter
Robert Donner	Boss Shorty
Warren Finnerty	Tattoo
John McLiam	Boss Kean
Charles Tyner	Boss Higgins
Ralph Waite	Alibi
Buck Kartalian	Dynamite
Joy Harmon	The Girl
James Gammon	Sleepy
Joe Don Baker	Fixer
Donn Pearce	Sailor,John Sr.
Norman Goodwins	Stupid Blondie
Chuck Hicks	Chief
Eddie Rosson	John Jr.
Rush Williams	Patrolman
James Jeter	Wickerman
Robert Luster	Jabo
Rance Howard	Sheriff
James Bradley Jr.	Black Boy
Cyril 'Chips' Robinson	Black Boy
James Bradley	Actor
Lalo Schifrin	Composer

Technical Credits

Donn Pearce

Frank Pierson

Stuart Rosenberg	Director
Donn Pearce	Screenwriter
Frank Pierson	Screenwriter
Gordon Carroll	Producer
Carter De Haven Jr.	Producer
Larry Jost	Sound Effects
Dan Wallin	Sound Effects

Editorial Reviews

Paul Newman created one of the most indelible anti-authoritarian heroes in movie history with his dynamic portrayal of the title character in 1967's Cool Hand Luke. It's some of the best work of Newman's career, and he's ably backed by the excellent Strother Martin -- whose "What we've got here is a failure to communicate" speech took on a life of its own in popular culture -- and George Kennedy, who won an Oscar for the role of Dragline. Luke creates a rich portrait of prison life and the people on both sides of the corrections department. Co-writer Donn Pearce spent time on a chain gang for safe-cracking, and the work has an unmistakable authenticity. The story is ultimately about the senseless righteousness of authority, and about Luke, a man who manages to win even when he loses. The film would usher in a wave of unconventional heroes, from Bonnie and Clyde that same year to Jack Nicholson's McMurphy in 1975's One Flew over the Cuckoo's Nest.

All Movie Guide