Movie or book, I enjoy the religious themes within. Although here it seems more existential than Christian. The seemingly unanswerable or unacceptable question, “why are we here.” Before, you started that Luke provides the others with “gospel.” Is that gospel individuality, hope or a way to accept the meaningless of it all? I’m going to have to read the book again, and watch the movie a couple more times. Love your work.
Godfrey was probably the basis for that "ol' hollow eyes" character from 'O Brother Where Art Thou?'. 12:42 An inversion of the usual Egyptian iconography which has the right eye representing Ra, the sun, and the notion of "judgment," while the left eye represents Horus, the moon, and the notion of "mercy." 19:54 Killin' Nazis ain't a sin. 19:59 Why does "morality" have to be based on order? Why can't it be based on freedom? Order-based morality takes either of two forms - master morality or slave morality - as defined by Nietzsche (whose philosophy was chock full of contradictions). Master morality can't exist without slave morality because there can't be masters without slaves. Master morality takes the political form of autocracy and appeals to the far-right. Slave morality takes the political form of what some call "mobocracy" (rule of the mob) and appeals to the far left. Both are oppressive to the individual. Contrary to both, freedom-based morality emphasizes the dignity of the individual. You'd think a constitutional republic would emphasize freedom-based morality, but apparently not. 21:20 He could also represent some interpretations of Abaddon the angel of destruction. 21:49 That belief can easily be exploited by the oppressors-that-be. The lowly and the desolate are already overworked and underpaid. They shouldn't be made to believe that they need to torture themselves even more than they've already been tortured by the oppressor class. 22:14 I dig the notion of defiance, but if you pulled that sort of thing in a Nazi concentration camp (where they really did make prisoners do meaningless labor), you'd probably be shot or gassed, then buried in a nameless grave.
That is really kind of you to say. Had considered just reading it and putting it up on YT. The copyright thing is always a worry though. Wouldn't know where to begin getting official permissions.... any knowledge in this area?
Dead or alive you are coming with me. :) You may be aware of the theory that Robocop is a Jesus-Figure. I don't buy it myself but hey, gotta love film theories!
I saw this movie and ten read the book in 1973. You sound a whole lot younger than me. I will now as gently as I can take you to school. Yes everything you say is spot on. He (COOL LUKE) was an existential christ like figure. However, he was played by Newman and he (the fictional Luke) was sketched from a real human being. The book was published in 1965 and the film was made and released in 1967. When I saw it in 1973 I saw it as a representation of John F. Kennedy. Both the book allude t this very clear metaphrical parallel. Everything you said can easily be interpreted as representing either Jesus H. Christ (IHC) or John F. Kennedy (JFK). In the heat of those cold war years Hollywood made incredibly artful films that served as our respnse to the proopaganda of the communist world. S if you read and watch the movie again like I did in 1973 you will recognize the truth behind it all. The guards wee the GOD FREE commies and the prisoners were all of us law breakers freedom loving stick it to the man existentialist individuals (some of us athiest, others Christians and me a Buddhist). Understand something about movies that is often forgotten, they illuminate the time they are made not the dead past of fake gods and crusified children of an invisible man. COOL HAND LUKE was not crusified, he was shot by a GOD FREE 'freeman' wearing a blackj hat and having no eyes. It was a high powered rifle just like LEE HARVEY OSWALD (a true GOD FREE COMMIE if there ever was one) used to shoot JFK in the neck. JFK was raised catholic but he sure did like his theesomes with fiddle and faddle and believe me he like Luke shook the world to its core and because he did the commies killed him and Hollywood diefied him because he did die frr defending our freedom from those GODLESS evil idiots in the USSR. Dragline was LBJ incarnate and those 50 eggs were the 50 states. WAKE UP young man you done good but remember Paul Newman was close to JFK and unlike the fictional characters NEW MAN and JFK were spiled rich boys who were humbled by war. Both were heros of WW2 and bth served the cause of freedom. This is me just standing in the rain talking to myself about a movie I saw in 1973. Hope I have added a layer to your very scholarly interpretation. By the way the catholic Jesuit Priest that showed the movie is going to hell, he raped one of my classmates and he too believed wrongly that Cool Hand Luke was a Christ like figure. When he questioned and dismissed my understanding of the movie back then I stopped reading the bible and turned to Zen Buddhism. My classmate committed suicide at Yale and since then I have done my best to bring the church too the very judgement of all humanity. Oh and please remember that the Academy Award was given to KENNEDY. Hollywood smetimes can be very literal and direct. Remember if youy come upn the buddha along your path do what Cool Hand Luke would do KILL HIM!!!
What a wildly interesting take! Thank you for taking the time to write this. Occam’s razor gets to me so I accept the Christ-like allegory, however I think the character of luke could be capturing the persona of the free spirited men of the time who were still principled in other philosophical ways.
Movie or book, I enjoy the religious themes within. Although here it seems more existential than Christian. The seemingly unanswerable or unacceptable question, “why are we here.” Before, you started that Luke provides the others with “gospel.” Is that gospel individuality, hope or a way to accept the meaningless of it all? I’m going to have to read the book again, and watch the movie a couple more times. Love your work.
Hadn't considered the degree of Religiosity/Existentiality independently in the book and the movie.
Will ponder upon it, thank you.
If The Long Walk ever gets made it should be filmed exactly in the style of Cool Hand Luke.
I do not know you. But. I know you.
Godfrey was probably the basis for that "ol' hollow eyes" character from 'O Brother Where Art Thou?'.
12:42 An inversion of the usual Egyptian iconography which has the right eye representing Ra, the sun, and the notion of "judgment," while the left eye represents Horus, the moon, and the notion of "mercy."
19:54 Killin' Nazis ain't a sin.
19:59 Why does "morality" have to be based on order? Why can't it be based on freedom? Order-based morality takes either of two forms - master morality or slave morality - as defined by Nietzsche (whose philosophy was chock full of contradictions). Master morality can't exist without slave morality because there can't be masters without slaves. Master morality takes the political form of autocracy and appeals to the far-right. Slave morality takes the political form of what some call "mobocracy" (rule of the mob) and appeals to the far left. Both are oppressive to the individual. Contrary to both, freedom-based morality emphasizes the dignity of the individual. You'd think a constitutional republic would emphasize freedom-based morality, but apparently not.
21:20 He could also represent some interpretations of Abaddon the angel of destruction.
21:49 That belief can easily be exploited by the oppressors-that-be. The lowly and the desolate are already overworked and underpaid. They shouldn't be made to believe that they need to torture themselves even more than they've already been tortured by the oppressor class.
22:14 I dig the notion of defiance, but if you pulled that sort of thing in a Nazi concentration camp (where they really did make prisoners do meaningless labor), you'd probably be shot or gassed, then buried in a nameless grave.
You should apply to read and audiobook, I enjoyed your character voices. Thanks for making these reviews.
That is really kind of you to say. Had considered just reading it and putting it up on YT.
The copyright thing is always a worry though.
Wouldn't know where to begin getting official permissions.... any knowledge in this area?
Smiles for Cinephiles I don’t really know, but I feel like you can get away with reading a chapter or two.
Bro the word worry is not once mentioned in the Bible .
I love your channel and WHERE DID U GO?!?!
Dude great work you should have 100,000 subs this is pure gold. May Our Holy King Jesus Christ bless you till time indefinite(+)
Hey fella - love your stuff
What we have here is a failure to communicate...Best movie ever.
Dead or alive you are coming with me. :)
You may be aware of the theory that Robocop is a Jesus-Figure.
I don't buy it myself but hey, gotta love film theories!
Smiles for Cinephiles Verhoeven used the term American Jesus both executed violently and both resurrected.
I was not aware of that. Thanks.
Will take another look at that one...
Smiles for Cinephiles Robocop is a Jesus figure? Guess they took the part about the sword quite seriously.
I saw this movie and ten read the book in 1973. You sound a whole lot younger than me. I will now as gently as I can take you to school. Yes everything you say is spot on. He (COOL LUKE) was an existential christ like figure. However, he was played by Newman and he (the fictional Luke) was sketched from a real human being. The book was published in 1965 and the film was made and released in 1967. When I saw it in 1973 I saw it as a representation of John F. Kennedy. Both the book allude t this very clear metaphrical parallel. Everything you said can easily be interpreted as representing either Jesus H. Christ (IHC) or John F. Kennedy (JFK). In the heat of those cold war years Hollywood made incredibly artful films that served as our respnse to the proopaganda of the communist world. S if you read and watch the movie again like I did in 1973 you will recognize the truth behind it all. The guards wee the GOD FREE commies and the prisoners were all of us law breakers freedom loving stick it to the man existentialist individuals (some of us athiest, others Christians and me a Buddhist).
Understand something about movies that is often forgotten, they illuminate the time they are made not the dead past of fake gods and crusified children of an invisible man. COOL HAND LUKE was not crusified, he was shot by a GOD FREE 'freeman' wearing a blackj hat and having no eyes. It was a high powered rifle just like LEE HARVEY OSWALD (a true GOD FREE COMMIE if there ever was one) used to shoot JFK in the neck. JFK was raised catholic but he sure did like his theesomes with fiddle and faddle and believe me he like Luke shook the world to its core and because he did the commies killed him and Hollywood diefied him because he did die frr defending our freedom from those GODLESS evil idiots in the USSR. Dragline was LBJ incarnate and those 50 eggs were the 50 states. WAKE UP young man you done good but remember Paul Newman was close to JFK and unlike the fictional characters NEW MAN and JFK were spiled rich boys who were humbled by war. Both were heros of WW2 and bth served the cause of freedom. This is me just standing in the rain talking to myself about a movie I saw in 1973. Hope I have added a layer to your very scholarly interpretation. By the way the catholic Jesuit Priest that showed the movie is going to hell, he raped one of my classmates and he too believed wrongly that Cool Hand Luke was a Christ like figure. When he questioned and dismissed my understanding of the movie back then I stopped reading the bible and turned to Zen Buddhism. My classmate committed suicide at Yale and since then I have done my best to bring the church too the very judgement of all humanity. Oh and please remember that the Academy Award was given to KENNEDY. Hollywood smetimes can be very literal and direct. Remember if youy come upn the buddha along your path do what Cool Hand Luke would do KILL HIM!!!
What a wildly interesting take! Thank you for taking the time to write this. Occam’s razor gets to me so I accept the Christ-like allegory, however I think the character of luke could be capturing the persona of the free spirited men of the time who were still principled in other philosophical ways.