Cool Hand Luke has made significant cultural contributions.  A woman sensually washing a car under the blistering sun.  A lawman with reflective sunglasses.  And of course, “What we’ve got here is failure to communicate.”  But underneath these indelible images and enduring quote is a compelling story of a scrappy prisoner who gives hope to his fellow inmates while refusing to submit to the existing authority figures.

It stands the test of time, and on 35mm (as it will be presented at the Somerville Theatre tonight), Paul Newman’s blazing blue eyes are sure to pop out from the screen more than ever.

Cool Hand Luke
1967
dir. Stuart Rosenberg
126 min.

35mm print!