Cool Hand Luke is another of those films that, even if you've never seen it, you likely quote it on a regular basis. It is also one of Paul Newman's best movies - which is an impressive feat when you consider his resume.
In more basic terms, Cool Hand Luke is the story of a man, Luke Jackson (Paul Newman), who is sent to a Southern prison and his various attempts to break out. As far as pure entertainment value goes, the plot works and is always enjoyable. At the same time, it is also one of those movies that is about more than just its basic premise. The real story here is about Luke trying to be himself and his relentless quest to be a non-conformist in a social situation where conformity is the rule.
Almost immediately after landing in prison, Luke becomes a leader for the rest of the prisoners. Sure he's trying to escape, but his actions serve as sort of a catalyst for the other prisoners to start fighting for their own individuality. In the words of his friend Dragline (George Kennedy), "He's a natural-born world-shaker." Most of this is due to Paul Newman's incredible acting job; unlike other "inspirational" themes, Luke's actions speak louder than his words - eventually causing him to become something of a legend for the prisoners. His performance is enhanced thanks to his excellent supporting cast, including an Academy Award-winning performance by George Kennedy and Dennis Hopper.
There are only two extras included, though they are fairly good. The first, "A Natural-Born World Shaker" is a making-of documentary. The second is commentary by Eric Lax, a Paul Newman biographer. I wasn't completely blown away by either, though it was interesting to listen to commentary from someone who wasn't directly involved with the movie's production.
I'm usually a little apprehensive about older films being transfered to Blu-ray, but it is hard to not be impressed by Cool Hand Luke's presentation. The entire film was remastered from the original prints and comes off nice and sharp. It may not be enough to push you towards a re-purchase if you already own the movie, but at the same time, you'll get your money's worth if you decide to upgrade.
Based on my comments, it might sound like Cool Hand Luke is a "thinking" movie. Though there's a deeper meaning to the entire film, on the surface it is still an excellent, adventure-packed film and a must buy.
