Hud
Directed by:
Martin RittCinematography:
James Wong HoweComposer:
Elmer BernsteinCast:
Paul Newman, Melvyn Douglas, Patricia Neal, Brandon De Wilde, Whit Bissell, Crahan Denton, John Ashley, Val Avery, George Petrie, Curt Conway, Sheldon Allman (more)VOD (2)
Plots(1)
In this modern western Paul Newman plays Hud Bannon, a ruthless young Texas rancher who tarnishes everything and everyone he touches. There is bitter conflict between the callous Hud and his stern and highly principled father, Homer... Hud Bannon (Paul Newman) is a young Texas rancher who lives with his cattleman father Homer and his hero-worshipping nephew Lon. Hud is an amoral, cold-hearted creature; his father, who holds Hud responsible for the death of his other son, tries to imbue Lon with a sense of decency and responsibility to others, but Lon is devoted to Hud and isn't inclined to listen. When hoof and mouth disease shows up in one of the elder Bannon's cows, Hud is all for selling the herd before the government inspectors find out. But Homer orders the cattle destroyed (the film's most harrowing sequence), driving an even deeper wedge between himself and Hud. Finally, Hud steps over the line by attempting to rape Alma, the earthy but warm-hearted housekeeper. (Cinemax)
(more)Reviews (2)
Hud is definitely not a western, as it only approximates this genre in terms of location and the polarized conflict between two strong personalities. In reality, it is a psychological drama of the conflict between father and son, and at the same time the conflict between two different value systems. The old farmer is a product of conservative America, which values land, family, authority, and religious values, while Hud is a child of his time, the affluent America of the 1950s, which values consumerism and entertainment. The most valuable aspect of the film is Paul Newman's performance, who is primarily known to film fans for his positive roles, but he convincingly and skillfully played the role of the selfish rogue. In the context of its time and Hollywood production, it is certainly a standout film, but looking back, it does seem somewhat clichéd. It is exactly the kind of film where the main characters, especially the old farmer, are able to find the right wise words at the right moment, which realistically occurs to a person only after a long period of time has passed. In intense situations, I would expect such a man to deliver a few juicy curses or an honest slap. Overall impression: 75%.
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Excellent more modern western, which shows how it can also turn out when someone is stubborn, when they have to stand their ground at all costs and won't let anyone near them. In terms of acting, it is truly refined, as evidenced by the nominations of almost all the actors who appear here in significant roles. Westerns can go in different directions, and this is one of them.
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