Saw this at the show with a buddy, when I was about 12. Although much of it went over my head, such as the analogies of Newman's Luke being crucified like Christ after the egg eating scene and later when he is laid out in the hole he was forced to dig for punishment, I was mesmerized by CHL and knew I was watching a film on a different level I was used to. Recently caught it again on TCM, for at least the 12th time. Still as impressive as Newman shines in a large cast of talented actors in a prison movie taking place in the mid-60's, somewher in the Deep South. Luke's been sent up a couple years for basically being drunk and stupid, breaking into municipal parking meters in a small town while on a bender. He's been sent to a road crew work repair prison among what seems to be a non-violent segregated prison population in for writing bad checks, stealing cars, violating parole, parole violations, failure to provide child support, etc. There's really no rehabilitation attempted but it does provide cheap labor to work on the local roadways.
Like any place, there is a prison hierachy that is led by Dragline, superbly played by George Kennedy. He probably became ex post facto leader by being the biggest, strongest and toughest among the population. He's illiterate, but clever and has learned how to survive in prison-indeed one gets the feeling he has spent the majority of his life in various confinement-reform schools or prison. He's learned the system and to show the proper respect and defer to the "bosses" i.e. The warden and guards. Newman's Luke as the new fish is one who will at first subtly, then overtly challenge the establishment hierachy.
The film becomes a series of entertaining sequences showing the prison life, some funny, some heartbreaking. The convicts going out daily for back breaking work clearing brush, the "titillating" well endowed local girl who teases the crew by washing her car in the flimisiest of dresses (at age 12, this was my favorite memory) the boxing match when Dragline knocks the absolute hell out of Luke, who refuses to stay down, ultimately earning the respect out of Dragline and the other prisoners. There's the comedic egg eating scene and later a sad reunion with Luke and his dying mother, well played by Jo Van Fleet who stops by for a final visit.
Many other excellent performances and some familiar faces, including a pre-MASH Wayne Rogers, Dennis Hopper, JD Cannon, Harry Dean Stanton, Ralph Waite and Harry Dean Stanton. Most notable.is veteran character performer Strother Martin, as the warden, AKA The Captain who tries to mask his cruelty with his phony benevolence with Luke sees through instantly. Indeed, Martin delivers the film's most memorable line after smacking Luke with a cane numerous times after backtalking to him.
"What we have here men...is a failure to communicate"
Like any place, there is a prison hierachy that is led by Dragline, superbly played by George Kennedy. He probably became ex post facto leader by being the biggest, strongest and toughest among the population. He's illiterate, but clever and has learned how to survive in prison-indeed one gets the feeling he has spent the majority of his life in various confinement-reform schools or prison. He's learned the system and to show the proper respect and defer to the "bosses" i.e. The warden and guards. Newman's Luke as the new fish is one who will at first subtly, then overtly challenge the establishment hierachy.
The film becomes a series of entertaining sequences showing the prison life, some funny, some heartbreaking. The convicts going out daily for back breaking work clearing brush, the "titillating" well endowed local girl who teases the crew by washing her car in the flimisiest of dresses (at age 12, this was my favorite memory) the boxing match when Dragline knocks the absolute hell out of Luke, who refuses to stay down, ultimately earning the respect out of Dragline and the other prisoners. There's the comedic egg eating scene and later a sad reunion with Luke and his dying mother, well played by Jo Van Fleet who stops by for a final visit.
Many other excellent performances and some familiar faces, including a pre-MASH Wayne Rogers, Dennis Hopper, JD Cannon, Harry Dean Stanton, Ralph Waite and Harry Dean Stanton. Most notable.is veteran character performer Strother Martin, as the warden, AKA The Captain who tries to mask his cruelty with his phony benevolence with Luke sees through instantly. Indeed, Martin delivers the film's most memorable line after smacking Luke with a cane numerous times after backtalking to him.
"What we have here men...is a failure to communicate"