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Cool Hand Luke

Play trailer Poster for Cool Hand Luke PG 1967 2h 9m Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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100% Tomatometer 56 Reviews 95% Popcornmeter 50,000+ Ratings
When petty criminal Luke Jackson (Paul Newman) is sentenced to two years in a Florida prison farm, he doesn't play by the rules of either the sadistic warden (Strother Martin) or the yard's resident heavy, Dragline (George Kennedy), who ends up admiring the new guy's unbreakable will. Luke's bravado, even in the face of repeated stints in the prison's dreaded solitary confinement cell, "the box," make him a rebel hero to his fellow convicts and a thorn in the side of the prison officers.
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Cool Hand Luke

Cool Hand Luke

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Critics Consensus

Though hampered by Stuart Rosenberg's direction, Cool Hand Luke is held aloft by a stellar script and one of Paul Newman's most indelible performances.

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Critics Reviews

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John Mahoney The Hollywood Reporter Well written by Pearce and Pierson and acted by a most talented ensemble of performers, Luke succeeds as both a highly humorous and deeply dramatic study of the immolation of human spirit in captivity and as an allegory. Dec 15, 2020 Full Review Jake Wilson The Age (Australia) The whole thing depends on Newman's blue eyes, easy grin, and ability to appear charismatic but never cocky. Sep 27, 2018 Full Review Dave Kehr Chicago Reader Stuart Rosenberg's direction is a horror, but the cast teems with so many familiar faces that this 1967 film can't help but entertain. Apr 23, 2009 Full Review Bianca Garner Filmotomy Cool Hand Luke has one of cinema’s best character introductions and film openings. Oct 10, 2024 Full Review Sean Axmaker Stream on Demand There’s more than a bit of Christ allegory in the imagery but it’s the character of the scruffy prisoners in the impoverished prison... that gives the film its juice. May 6, 2023 Full Review Matt Brunson Film Frenzy In a career filled with iconic anti-heroes -- including what I deem the “4-H Club” from the 1960s (Hud, Harper, Hombre, and The Hustler) -- Lucas Jackson just might be the most popular of all the societal misfits played by Paul Newman. Rated: 3.5/4 Apr 8, 2023 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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chad This as good a movie you can hope to see, until One Flew comes along and does it better. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 04/07/25 Full Review James G. Fantastic movie I’ve watched it probably 20 times Rated 5 out of 5 stars 10/09/25 Full Review welsh l A perfect film. Cast is ideal. The pace of events and language is perfect. It is a window into how choices shape your world. Too much pride can be your ruination. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 07/29/25 Full Review Nathan B “Natural born world-shaker”. Cool Hand Luke is a gripping exploration of a man’s search for purpose and meaning in the world, as he defies the rules and regulations imposed by others, even those dictated by God. Paul Newman reveals an immovable and unbreakable spirit, unbeknownst to others, who tries desperately to feed off his freedom, yet is captive to their fear of breaking society’s place for them. Luke finds himself reeling from emptiness and alienation at times, but never considers conforming as his path toward belonging. He fails to find meaning while others find meaning in him, gravitating toward him. Ultimately, Luke asked where his place on this Earth was, and God answered him. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 07/28/25 Full Review Patrick C First time viewer and what a classic it is. So many wonderful performances and one of those films where you could pause numerous shots and make outstanding still photographs. And of course the highlight is the performance by Paul Newman, coolest dude to ever exist. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 07/16/25 Full Review Hao Ian L An early pioneer of films that study systemic injustice and rebellion, with Paul Newman, who succeeds as one sympathetic and effortlessly charismatic prisoner, you find yourself rooting for. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 06/18/25 Full Review Read all reviews
Cool Hand Luke

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Cast & Crew

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Stuart Rosenberg

Director

Paul Newman

Luke

George Kennedy

Dragline

J.D. Cannon

Society Red

Lou Antonio

Koko

Robert Drivas

Loudmouth Steve

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Cool Hand Luke

Cool Hand Luke (1967) Cool Hand Luke (1967) View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis When petty criminal Luke Jackson (Paul Newman) is sentenced to two years in a Florida prison farm, he doesn't play by the rules of either the sadistic warden (Strother Martin) or the yard's resident heavy, Dragline (George Kennedy), who ends up admiring the new guy's unbreakable will. Luke's bravado, even in the face of repeated stints in the prison's dreaded solitary confinement cell, "the box," make him a rebel hero to his fellow convicts and a thorn in the side of the prison officers.
Director
Stuart Rosenberg
Producer
Gordon Carroll
Screenwriter
Frank Pierson, Donn Pearce, Donn Pearce
Distributor
Warner Bros. Pictures, Warner Home Vídeo
Production Co
Warner Brothers, Jalem Productions
Rating
PG
Genre
Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Nov 1, 1967, Wide
Release Date (Streaming)
May 19, 2016
Runtime
2h 9m
Sound Mix
Mono
Aspect Ratio
Scope (2.35:1)
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