What a great actor Paul Newman is. An eight-time Oscar nominee for Best Actor in a Leading Role, Newman finally won for 1986’s The Color of Money. During 11 years between 1958-1969, Newman received an Oscar nomination an astonishing six times. We have all seen the first two of these (Cat on a Hot Tin Roof and The Hustler) movies. His third nomination was as the title role of the slightly less recognized Hud.

Martin Ritt’s (The Long Hot Summer, The Great White Hope) Hud is inspired by a portion of Larry McMurtry’s novel, “Horseman Pass By.” Newman’s Hud Bannon is a 34-year-old self-absorbed Texas cattle rancher. He lives with his father, Homer Bannon (Melvyn Douglas – Being There, I Never Sang For My Father), and his nephew, Lon Bannon (Brandon DeWilde – Shane, The Member of the Wedding). Lon is an impressionable 17-year-old who idolizes his uncle but reveres his grandfather. Hud spends his days coming up with ways of stealing his father’s ranch from him without him knowing it and his nights in town, starting bar fights and prowling for women. Whether these women are married or not is of little concern for Hud. He lacks the conscience or good sense to care or act differently. The amoral Hud and the reputable Homer clash regularly, and Lon, trying to find his identity, finds himself caught in the middle of it all. Does Lon want to change his ways to be more like his fun and rebellious uncle, or does he want to continue making his grandfather proud, work hard, and put himself in a position to take over the ranch one day?

Hud is a polarizing character. Some might love him, while others might hate him. Some might not understand him. Lon, meanwhile, enjoys spending his time equally with Hud and Homer. The difference is that Homer always enjoys his grandson’s presence, while Hud likes having him around “when he feels like it.” Lon seems to enjoy eating a bowl of ice cream on the porch with his grandfather after a hard day’s work, as much as he does drinking and picking fights at the local bar with his uncle. Hud’s wild ways are enticing to Lon, but something about him worries the young man too. To say the 17-year-old is in a formative time in this movie is an understatement.

The movie’s plot revolves around the Bannons having to kill all the cattle on their ranch after discovering that many animals have foot and mouth disease. All parties know this will permanently destroy the ranch’s operation and financial viability. What’s worse is that this is all a result of Homer’s carelessness. He buys some Mexican cattle at a discounted price and fails to quarantine the infected animals after being brought to the ranch. Failing to do this is a sign of incompetence for a rancher whose livelihood and financial viability rests upon the continued existence of a healthy and safe breeding stock of cattle that are his own and on his ranch. The town veterinarian tells Homer that the animals will most likely need to be put down once the tests confirm it is foot and mouth disease. Hud suggests taking the infected cattle far out of the area and selling it for cheaper than market price to get rid of it and make the problem go away and stay aloft financially. However, Homer knows that this is morally wrong and will hear none of that. This is one of the reasons why Hud wants to undermine his father. He knows that adhering to his father’s wishes will result in the ranch’s loss.

Patrica Neal (The Subject Was Roses, In Harm’s Way) won a Best Supporting Actress Academy Award Win for her role as Elma, the family’s housekeeper. All three Bannon men are fond of the woman, with Hud and Lonnie seeing her as someone more than just a housekeeper. Though she has only a few scenes in the movie, she serves as a force that brings the family together, also a stake that drives them apart. As much as Homer and Hud, Elma is a part of Lon’s development. She’s the only female in his life, and he feels connected to her as his beautiful love interest and somewhat of a mother figure.

One of the reasons I liked this movie so much was because Newman played the bad guy. Newman himself said he was looking to star in as uncompromising a property as he could find after some of his earlier roles like Cat on a Hot Tin Roof and Sweet Bird of Youth censored a bit more than he wanted. He discovered that with Hud. At times, he’s very likable, but at other times, his acts are so reprehensible that it makes you forget about any good qualities he might have.

Paul Newman is a fantastic actor. Hud is a terrific movie. The relationships between the four main characters are what drives this movie.

Hud is and will always remain a classic. It is a must-see.

Plot 9.5/10
Character Development 9/10
Character Chemistry 10/10
Acting 10/10
Screenplay 10/10
Directing  10/10
Cinematography 10/10 (stunning, even in black and white)
Sound 8.5/10
Hook and Reel 9/10
Universal Relevance 10/10
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