Hud

So I threatened some time ago that I would write a story on my favorite movies of all time when I had nothing better to say. This is one of those days, and I figure why not start right at the top.

Hud 1963 Directed by Martin Ritt

Hud is the story of Hud Bannon a Texas rancher that would rather fight and screw than work in the field. Paul Newman plays the titular character to pristine perfection. Alienating man, woman and child in his path, a path to destruction. Hud cares for himself above all else, including his sick father and family business. After a recently purchased heifer on the Bannon ranch dies, it throws Hud's father, Homer played by Melvyn Douglas, into a state of considerable anxiety. When he consults Hud for advise it is suggested that they not worry and attempt to pass of the herd as quality product. Homer chooses to do otherwise, exposing Hud's lack of character and evolved sense of deception. When a state agriculturalist determines the cattle to be diseased there is but one option. Destroy the entire herd.

The news is financial murder to the Bannon Ranch. In one of the most graphic sequences in my film history a pit is hollowed for the cattle. They are forced in by men dressed in rain coats carrying shotguns. After all the cattle are herded in their future grave the gunshots begin. The herd is shot to death over the longest seconds in film. Yet two cattle remain. Homer's longhorns he raised from calf to full grown must be slaughtered as well. He will not allow anyone but himself to do the inevitable. Three shots are fired and two cattle are put to death. This spells the end of Homer. The last love of his life was put down.

Certainly there are several underlying themes; father and son conflict, greed versus honor, rebellion versus tradition and man versus nature. The center of the film though can be summed up in the time it was released, 1963 a changing America. Where conflict between the establishment and those trying to destroy it were at a fevered pitch.

The ultimate reasons I worship this film as truly the best I've seen, are simple Paul Newman(nominated Best Actor), and the rest of the cast; Melvyn Douglas (Academy Award for his performance), Patricia Neal (Academy Award for her performance) the cinematography (Academy Award for James Howe), the story is really smart and gritty. But simply put I was mortified at the slaughter of all of the cattle right before my eyes. I usually need a great hook to capture my interest in a film and Newman provided that. His presence captivated me from his entrance, and so did Brandon De Wilde as he searched for his philandering uncle.

If you liked Unforgiven, Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, The Hustler or Red River you will certainly like my all time fave Hud.