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Cool Hand Luke (Deluxe Edition) [1967]


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The Spirit of the Anti-Hero
Review date: 2008-11-16 Rating: 10 out of 10




Paul Newman died yesterday, and I watched 'Cool Hand Luke' in his memory. Paul liked to think he was an ordinary guy. He played ordinary guys in his films, and he hung around ordinary people. The difference is that Paul Newman knew his own mind and no one could push him. That is the kind of character that Paul Newman best portrayed.

Luke Jackson was a war hero, who may have suffered from PTSD. Certainly Luke did not want to face his demons, he did not like people, he did not want to be anyone's hero; he wanted to go his own way. Damn those people anyway.

Luke was caught drunk removing the top of parking meters and sentenced to two years in a southern chain gang. Sounds like Hell and it was. Day after day with sweaty back breaking work. Up at dawn and back at night. He fit in with the other guys, he was silent but was not afraid to speak up. He spoke back to the boss and went his own way. Luke was beaten to a pulp by the leader of the group, Dragline, played by George Kennedy and from then on they had an easy truce. He ate 50 eggs in a contest to ease the boredom, and he became someone the other guys looked up to. He spent a couple of nights in the "box' when his mom died so he would not be tempted to escape. However, escape he did three times. And, each time he was brought back and mercilessly beaten by the guards. His escape was all of their escapes, and the fellas cheered and reveled in his freedom, but the last time he was brought back and broken down piece by piece until he was only a mirror of himself. He became the yes man to everyone and did what he was told. And, then the last escape, and he knew this was it, he did not have the strength or the will to continue. He left smiling as he always did. He was tired of playing a hero and he had become a discouraged man who would no longer pay the price.

'Cold Hand Luke' was made in 1967- the end of the era of heroes. Luke was one of the first anti-heroes. He did not care what people thought of him. He was a good guy who became a bad guy because he didn't like us or them. And, we believed him. Paul Newman was our hero whether he wanted to be one or not. He was the good guy.

Highly Recommended. prisrob 11-16-08

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Communication Breakdown
Review date: 2008-10-16 Rating: 10 out of 10

Sadly Paul Newman has now died. This is one of his very best films. Despite his good looks and charm, he frequently played loners or outsiders - this is a classic example. Here he 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 (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.

Product Details/Specifications


Actor(s):
Anthony Zerbe
Joe Don Baker
George Kennedy
Paul Newman
Harry Dean Stanton

Creators:
Paul Newman (Primary Contributor)
Harry Dean Stanton (Primary Contributor)

Director(s):

Recording label: Warner Home Video
Manufacturer: Warner Home Video
EAN: 7321902157221
Binding: DVD
Number of items: 1
Format: PAL,
Release date: 2008-09-15
Audience rating: Suitable for 15 years and over
Region code: 2
Running time: 121 minutes
Theatrical release date: 1967

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