Hud

(1963)

Drama

112 minutes

Directed by Martin Ritt

Cast:

Paul Newman as Hud Bannon

Melvyn Douglas as Homer Bannon

Patricia Neal as Alma Brown

Brandon de Wilde as Lonnie Bannon

John Ashley as Hermy

Whit Bissell as Burris

Young Texas rancher Hud Bannon lives with his moral cattleman father Homer and his seventeen year old nephew Lon. Homer despises Hud, because fifteen years earlier he was responsible for the death of his older brother. Hud is also the opposite of his father – he is cold and cruel, and does not like to follow the rules. Lon, his brother’s son, is torn between adoration of Hud, and loving respect towards his grandfather. Homer tries to instead instill morals in Lon, though he doesn’t listen. When one of Homer’s cows contracts hoof-and-mouth disease and dies, Hud decides to sell the herd before the government inspector can find out. Homer orders all the cattle to be slaughtered before they are sold, creating more tension between them. Hud goes on a drunk rampage and tries to rape the housekeeper, but Lon steps in and stops him. Homer is then stricken by a heart attack, which ends up killing him. Lon’s eyes are finally opened to his uncle’s wicked nature, and he leaves. Hud feels a momentary sense of emptiness, but then takes a swig of beer and shrugs it off with indifference.

Hud - Trailer