![]() However, his wilder side sees the untamed Newman as a sort of folk hero, and the rare times when he gets to hang out with his uncle seem to him to be the best of his life. Growing up in Douglas' shadow, he worships the man and tries to emulate his moral code. His father, Newman's brother, died when he was very young. In the middle is Brandon De Wilde, actually the film's main character (although all the choice acting moments belong to Douglas and Newman, and the yet to be mentioned Patricia Neal). There is an obvious but unspoken conflict between the two of them. Paul Newman, who plays the title character, is his youngest and only surviving son. Douglas is the patriarch, stern and strong, but clearly moving ever closer to the end of his life. Paul Newman, Melvyn Douglas, and Brandon De Wilde star as three generations of a ranching family. One Hell of a movie, and very nearly perfect. Brilliant performances, excellent direction, stark photography, Hud is a great American film, not easily forgotten once seen. For me, Newman had more surprises in store. ![]() Hud represents '60s disillusionment - which as the decade went on was only going to get worse this is one of the reasons it is an iconic role. His greatest performances for me will always be those in the "The Verdict" and "The Hustler," both of which called for many more nuances of character. It's easy to see why in 1963 this was such a dramatic breakthrough for Newman, but 43 years and many roles later, we're more familiar with what he can do. As much as I love Newman and think he's one of the greatest actors ever to hit the movies, for me, Douglas' searing performance is the one that will stay with me. Her delivery is wry and knowing she can't help being attracted to the virile Hud but she knows he's trouble and never gives in to her desires willingly. Patricia Neal is the housekeeper she and Douglas both deservingly won Oscars. You can see he's a good kid trying to grow up and decide what kind of man to be. It works well here amidst the very contained Douglas and the free and easy Newman. ![]() de Wilde doesn't give an emotional performance - he's almost more of an observer. de Wilde is Hud's nephew who admires him and wants to emulate him but as time goes by, realizes that Hud is made of ice. ![]() Melvyn Douglas is absolutely gut-wrenching as Homer, a proud man who loves the land and his cattle and who has no use for his son, who smashed his car and killed Homer's other son. If you love animals, this is a difficult film to watch, but it's worth it. Hud wants to ship the whole herd out and possibly infect other people's cattle - he couldn't care less. The two characters couldn't be more opposite, as one sees in their treatment of a potential run of hoof and mouth disease that could wipe out Homer's entire herd. An astounding actor, and he gets a run for his money from Douglas, who plays the moral center of the story. He's given so many great ones, it's hard to say for me. People on this board have said it's his greatest performance. ![]() The bastard, of course, is Paul Newman, who doesn't have a decent bone in his body. Knowing the talent he possessed, how did he keep from killing the heads of the studios? Paul Newman, Melvyn Douglas, Patricia Neal, and Brandon de Wilde star in "Hud," an unsparing 1963 morality story about a Texas rancher, Homer Bannon, his bastard son, Hud, his housekeeper, and his grandson. It's difficult to grasp that Melvyn Douglas spent most of his career sailing through light, romantic roles and emerged in old age as one of the greatest actors in cinema history. ![]()
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