Cool Hand Luke (1967)

Overated and Boring

This supposed classic is an absolute bore and features characters that you could really care less about. I wish the studios would get serious about releasing older movies...Cool Hand Luke and Ms. Doubtfire aren't the types of older movies that most of us want to see released in the early years of Blu-Ray. How about Lawrence of Arabia and The Godfather? May 22, 2008

New Deluxe Edition standard and Blu-ray DVDs due out on September 9th, 2008!

Warner Home Video has announced the release of a new Deluxe Edition of Cool Hand Luke on standard DVD and Blu-ray, with new special features. There will be a making-of featurette called "A Natural-Born World-Shaker: Making Cool Hand Luke," which the press release describes as "an in-depth look at the creation of an uncompromising classic." There will also be an audio commentary with Paul Newman biographer Eric Lax, and the theatrical trailer. Only the theatrical trailer and some text production notes are on the old DVD.

Cool Hand Luke is the story of a man (Newman) who, by a minor offense combined with stubborn if at times casually guided will, gets himself into increasingly deep trouble in a tough Southern prison. It's played as part comedy, part gritty drama. Luke's cool, fearless, devil-may-care attitude and escapades make him an icon among his fellow prisoners, until he is brought to abject desperation, ultimately rising again and falling to become a legend.

The film is famous for a hard-boiled egg eating contest and, especially, a quote that has entered the pantheon of movie quotes: "What we have here is a failure to communicate." The title character's nickname comes from another quote, made after he bluffs to win at poker: "sometimes nothin' can be a real cool hand," a quote that has ironic punch in the context of the movie as a whole. Newman was nominated for an Oscar, and George Kennedy won one for his supporting role. Strother Martin is unforgettable as the twisted prison captain.

I enjoy this movie, but I've never completely loved it the way many do. Parts of it never seemed quite real to me (not "uncompromising" either), not with the truthful feel the similarly themed One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest has, for example. But it is a classic, with memorable characters, scenes, and storyline. I'd probably give it four or four and a half stars, but I'll round up for the new special features, which I look forward to.

The new SD Deluxe Edition is here. The Blu-ray edition is here. May 12, 2008

Communication breakdown

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) and ends up serving time. Although apparently a very laid back character, the death of his mother changes Luke's attitude and 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 really is. There are many classic scenes, the most famous of which is the car wash (for the men anyway), and the attempt to eat 50 boiled eggs. Quite a few others will leave an impression on you as well.

Its Newmans film all 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 and 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 all time. Its well worth buying at any sensible price and can be picked up cheap if you look around.
May 2, 2008

PAUL NEWMAN AS COOL HAND LUKE!!

This is my favorite Paul Newman Movie.
The most eggs I've ever seen someone eat in one hour.
This is a timeless classic, I rate this movie a 9 from 1to10!! April 14, 2008

Cool Hand Luke - Too Cool

Actually bought this movie for my oldest son's 21st birthday. Both he and I think it's one of the coolest movies ever made. Don't care how many times I see this movie, Paul Newman is one Cool Dude.. March 15, 2008

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