“Sometimes nothing can be a real cool hand.” Directed by Stuart Rosenberg, this 1967 anti-establishment film encapsulates the anti-authoritarianism of the ’60s. Set in the early 1950s, the film follows decorated World War II veteran Lucas “Luke” Jackson, who drunkenly destroys several parking meters in Florida, landing him a two-year sentence on a chain gang and setting up an epic battle of wills between Luke and the prison camp warden, Captain (Strother Martin), and his ruthless chief guard, Boss Godfrey (Morgan Woodward).
Along the way, Luke wins over prisoner leader Dragline (George Kennedy in in an Oscar-winning supporting actor turn), as well as his fellow inmates, who are impressed by his resistance to authority. Luke’s defiance, tenacity, and resilience inspire, and the film contains decided Christian imagery with Luke as a redeemer. After winning a 50 hardboiled egg-eating challenge, Luke is depicted in Jesus’ crucifixion position. After he learns of his mother’s death, he sings “Plastic Jesus,” accompanying himself on the banjo.
It’s truly one of the great films of the 1960s and a career-defining role for Newman, who was nominated for an Oscar. It’s also got a terrific score by Lalo Schifrin. Masterful! (126 min.)
—Glen Starkey
This article appears in Jun 12-22, 2025.