The 10 Greatest Anti-Heroes: #8 "Cool Hand" Luke Jackson

Movie: Cool Hand Luke
Actor: Paul Newman

“Cool Hand” Luke is a man of few words, and it’s that quiet determination that keeps him firmly rooted on his own path—no matter how beaten down or abused, he doesn’t waver. Though confined to a life of dirty, sweltering and seemingly endless labor at a prison camp run by a maniacal little man known only as Captain, Luke’s independent spirit remains strong. His refusal to submit to the prison’s hierarchy, both with the guards and the prisoners themselves, (he exerts every ounce of effort and then some in a futile boxing match against burly prison ringleader Dragline) lands him on the Captain’s bad side, earning him days in solitary confinement and brutal beatings. After several failed escape attempts and the subsequent punishment, Luke’s defiant spirit appears to be finally broken. But in the end, that same rebellious attitude leads him to choose death over a life governed by other people’s rules.

“Cool Hand” Luke Jackson Quotes:

“Inside, outside, all those rules and regulations and bosses…just where am I supposed to fit in?”

“I guess I’m pretty tough to deal with, huh? A hard case. I guess I gotta find my own way.”

“I done enough world shakin’ for a while. You do the rest of it for me. Send me a post card about it.” (to Dragline)

“Cool Hand” Luke Jackson Video:

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The 10 Greatest Anti-Heroes: Introduction