When petty criminal Luke Jackson is sentenced to two years in a Florida prison farm, he doesn't play by the rules of either the sadistic warden or the yard's resident heavy, Dragline, 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.
Directed by Stuart Rosenberg
prison
dying and death
florida
based on novel or book
escape
loss of loved one
rebel
harassment
imprisonment
barbed wire
death
prison farm
dramatic
Rank
#4 in 1967·#593 overall
Trailer
IMDB
N/A
Where to Watch
Cast
Paul Newman
Luke Jackson
George Kennedy
Dragline
Luke Askew
Boss Paul
Morgan Woodward
Boss Godfrey
Harry Dean Stanton
Tramp
Dennis Hopper
Babalugats
Lou Antonio
Koko
Robert Drivas
Loudmouth Steve
Strother Martin
Captain
Jo Van Fleet
Arletta
Clifton James
Carr
Marc Cavell
Rabbitt
Crew
Stuart Rosenberg
Director
Frank Pierson
Screenplay
Lalo Schifrin
Original Music Composer
Conrad Hall
Director of Photography
Gordon Carroll
Producer
Jordan Cronenweth
Camera Operator
Chuck Hicks
Stunts
Popular Reviews
682 reviews
Aidan I
8.8★ · 01/29/23
me when he said the thing: “omg he said the thing!”
me when he said the thing: “omg he said the thing!”
1
Andy LaVeglio
9.3★ · 01/18/26
Watched this one a while ago. Absolute Masterpiece still on rewatch
Watched this one a while ago. Absolute Masterpiece still on rewatch
Lucy Birkett
10.0★ · 07/06/26
Cool Hand Luke is the Eggman that The Beatles were singing about
Cool Hand Luke is the Eggman that The Beatles were singing about
Jacob Bouvier
9.0★ · 07/05/26
Just let that lil ol’ belly sag and enjoy yourself
60s are my decade. Just everything about the films from this time period are perfect. This being one of my dad and grandfathers favorite film I thought after getting more into movies I’d check it out. Now that it’s July and they realized a Harry Dean Stanton collection for July on the Criterion Channel I was so hype to watch this. Genuinely the best cast and the score is incredible. I’m actively listening to Plastic Jesus on repeat while I write this review. I really love how left wing this film is and was rlly shocked by that. Incredible in every way Paul Newmans the goat.
Just let that lil ol’ belly sag and enjoy yourself
60s are my decade. Just everything about the films from this time period are perfect. This being one of my dad and grandfathers favorite film I thought after getting more into movies I’d check it out. Now that it’s July and they realized a Harry Dean Stanton collection for July on the Criterion Channel I was so hype to watch this. Genuinely the best cast and the score is incredible. I’m actively listening to Plastic Jesus on repeat while I write this review. I really love how left wing this film is and was rlly shocked by that. Incredible in every way Paul Newmans the goat.
rusty
8.9★ · 06/13/26
watched the movie bc i wanted to know why ponyboy curtis loved paul newman so much. i understand now
watched the movie bc i wanted to know why ponyboy curtis loved paul newman so much. i understand now
