Cool Hand Luke

In the sweltering heat of early 1950s Florida, decorated World War II veteran Lucas "Luke" Jackson (Pitt) awakens from a drunken stupor to find himself facing a series of parking meters that are about to meet their untimely demise at the hands of his trusty machete. This impromptu display of destruction lands Luke in hot water with the authorities, and he's subsequently sentenced to two years on a chain gang under the watchful eye of the no-nonsense Captain (a stern warden) and Walking Boss Godfrey (a quiet rifleman known for his mirrored sunglasses), whom the prisoners have dubbed "the man with no eyes". As Luke navigates this unforgiving environment, he quickly learns that even the slightest infraction will result in a night spent in the box, a claustrophobic wooden booth that offers limited air and space.

Despite his best efforts to conform to the established order among the prisoners, Luke refuses to back down from challenges, earning him both admiration and disdain. A boxing match with Dragline (a cocky leader among the inmates) leaves Luke severely outmatched but unwilling to surrender, a display of tenacity that ultimately earns him the respect of his fellow prisoners and the attention of the guards.

Following a poignant visit from his ailing mother, Arletta, Luke's outlook begins to shift. He continues to defy the Captain and his minions, using his quick wit and independence to inspire hope among his fellow inmates. His determination to prove himself reaches new heights when he masterfully leads a work crew in an impossible feat of completing a road-paving job in record time.

However, tragedy strikes when Luke receives news of his mother's passing. Anticipating that he might attempt to escape to attend the funeral, the Captain takes precautions and locks him away in the box. Upon his release, Luke becomes resolute in his desire to break free. Under the guise of a Fourth of July celebration, he makes his initial escape attempt but is ultimately recaptured by local police and returned to the chain gang.

As punishment for his failed escape bid, Luke is fitted with leg irons and subjected to a stern warning from the Captain, a speech that serves as a stark reminder of the harsh realities he faces in this unforgiving environment.

As Luke's brief respite from captivity comes to an end, he orchestrates another daring escape, only to be caught, brutally beaten, and returned to the prison camp with an added layer of restraints - two sets of leg irons. The Captain delivers a chilling warning: if Luke attempts to escape again, his life will be forfeit. With his dignity wounded, Luke is met with scorn by his fellow prisoners when he reveals that the magazine photo featuring himself and two lovely women was nothing more than a fabrication. Initially, the other inmates are incensed by Luke's deception, but their ire is soon replaced with sympathy after he returns from solitary confinement, his spirit broken, and is forced to devour a mountainous serving of rice as punishment.

Luke's subsequent attempts at escape only lead to further brutalization at the hands of the guards. He's subjected to an exhausting regimen of digging and refilling a massive hole in the prison yard, his body wracked with exhaustion. Eventually, Luke cracks under the physical and emotional strain, begging for mercy and losing the respect of his fellow prisoners. It appears that he has succumbed to cowardice, reduced to serving as a errand boy for the guards, but when an opportunity arises, he seizes it, fleeing once more alongside Dragline (actor's name). As they abandon their stolen truck, the pair decide to split ways, with Luke seeking solace in a local church, where he berates God for his perceived betrayal. The sound of police sirens grows louder, and Dragline arrives, urging Luke to surrender peacefully. Instead, Luke mockingly recites the Captain's warning, prompting Godfrey to gun him down.

As Dragline carries Luke outside, he implores his friend to hold on, but it's too late. Godfrey meets a brutal end at Dragline's hands, which are soon subdued by the guards. As Luke is loaded into the Captain's car, Dragline pleads with him to cling to life, despite the local police's attempts to intervene. The Captain decides to take Luke to the prison infirmary instead of the local hospital, ensuring that his prisoner won't survive the journey. As the car drives away, a semi-conscious Luke weakly smiles, his eyes locked on the crushed remains of Godfrey's sunglasses (implying that he soon succumbs to his injuries).

Months later, the prison crew is hard at work near a rural intersection, where Dragline now finds himself shackled and under the watchful eye of a new Walking Boss. As the prisoners reminisce about Luke, their fondness for him is palpable, a testament to the bond they shared during their time together behind bars.