Well written by Pearce and Pierson and acted by a most talented ensemble of performers, Luke succeeds as both a highly humorous and deeply dramatic study of the immolation of human spirit in captivity and as an allegory.

| Dec 15, 2020

The whole thing depends on Newman's blue eyes, easy grin, and ability to appear charismatic but never cocky.

| Sep 27, 2018

Stuart Rosenberg's direction is a horror, but the cast teems with so many familiar faces that this 1967 film can't help but entertain.

| Apr 23, 2009

Newman remains watchable and glamorous throughout, bloody, muddy or coated in torso-flattering sweat, but the film's efforts to sentimentally "humanize" him by psychological revelation are clumsy.

| Original Score: 3/4 | Sep 9, 2008

One of those movies you remember Great Moments from.

| Original Score: 5/5 | Aug 22, 2008

A picture of chilling dramatic power.

| Aug 22, 2008

Newman gives an excellent performance, assisted by a terriffic supporting cast, including George Kennedy, outstanding as the unofficial leader of the cons who yields first place to Newman.

| Jul 22, 2008

A caustically witty look at the American South and its still-surviving chain gangs, with Newman in fine sardonic form as the boss-baiter who refuses to submit and becomes a hero to his fellow-prisoners.

Full Review | Feb 9, 2006

A tough, honest film with backbone.

| Original Score: 4/4 | Oct 23, 2004

That traditional object of sorrow and compassion in American folk song and lore, the chain-gang prisoner, is given as strong a presentation as ever he has had on the screen.

| Original Score: 5/5 | May 20, 2003

One of the sharpest prison dramas ever, although it's graced with some very humorous portions as well.

| Mar 10, 2003