@celeste_writes
A patient, formally daring work — the cinematography lingers on empty rooms longer than most audiences will tolerate, but those who stay are rewarded with the most haunting final act of the year.
Hud Bannon is a ruthless young man who tarnishes everything and everyone he touches. Hud represents the perfect embodiment of alienated youth, out for kicks with no regard for the consequences. There is bitter conflict between the callous Hud and his stern and highly principled father, Homer. Hud's nephew Lon admires Hud's cheating ways, though he soon becomes too aware of Hud's reckless amorality to bear him anymore. In the world of the takers and the taken, Hud is a winner. He's a cheat, but, he explains, "I always say the law was meant to be interpreted in a lenient manner."
Quick Stats
7.3
TMDB Rating
363
Votes
1h 52m
Runtime
$2.5M
Budget
$10.0M
Box Office
400%
Return
Key Crew
DirectorMartin Ritt
WriterHarriet Frank Jr.
CinematographyJames Wong Howe
ComposerElmer Bernstein
EditorFrank Bracht
Production DesignHal Pereira
Produced by
Paramount Pictures
Where to Watch
Streaming
Netflix
HBO MaxBuy
Apple iTunesSee more on TMDB → JustWatch
Critics & Reviews
3 featured@jhalberg
I walked in expecting another genre exercise and walked out feeling like I'd been eavesdropping on a confession. The lead performance is genuinely singular — a career-defining turn.
@priya_a
A few too many scenes feel borrowed from a better film, but the soundtrack and the production design carry the rest. Solid recommendation for fans of slow-burn European thrillers.
Cast
Paul Newman
Hud Bannon
Melvyn Douglas
Homer Bannon
Patricia Neal
Alma Brown
Brandon De Wilde
Lon 'Lonnie' Bannon
Whit Bissell
Mr. Burris
Crahan Denton
Jesse
John Ashley
Hermy
Val Avery
Jose
George Petrie
Joe Scanlon
Curt Conway
Truman Peters
Sheldon Allman
Mr. Thompson
P
Pitt Herbert
Mr. Larker
R
Robert Hinkle
Rodeo Announcer Frank
Sharyn Hillyer
Myra
Yvette Vickers
Lily Peters
