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Hud 1963

Runtime

112 min

Language

English

English

In the harsh Texas landscape, Hud Bannon lives a life of self-indulgence, marked by drinking and casual relationships. His actions clash with the hard work and values of his father, who strives to maintain the family ranch. Young Lonnie, witnessing his uncle's behavior, struggles with admiration and disappointment as he confronts the complexities of morality and the consequences of reckless choices. The film explores themes of family, duty, and the loss of innocence against a backdrop of rural decline.

In the harsh Texas landscape, Hud Bannon lives a life of self-indulgence, marked by drinking and casual relationships. His actions clash with the hard work and values of his father, who strives to maintain the family ranch. Young Lonnie, witnessing his uncle's behavior, struggles with admiration and disappointment as he confronts the complexities of morality and the consequences of reckless choices. The film explores themes of family, duty, and the loss of innocence against a backdrop of rural decline.

Does Hud have end credit scenes?

No!

Hud does not have end credit scenes. You can leave when the credits roll.

Meet the Full Cast and Actors of Hud

Explore the complete cast of Hud, including both lead and supporting actors. Learn who plays each character, discover their past roles and achievements, and find out what makes this ensemble cast stand out in the world of film and television.


Ratings and Reviews for Hud

See how Hud is rated across major platforms like IMDb, Metacritic, and TMDb. Compare audience scores and critic reviews to understand where Hud stands among top-rated movies in its genre.


Metacritic

62

Metascore

7.4

User Score

Rotten Tomatoes
review

86%

TOMATOMETER

review

89%

User Score

TMDB

73

%

User Score

Take the Ultimate Hud Movie Quiz

Challenge your knowledge of Hud with this fun and interactive movie quiz. Test yourself on key plot points, iconic characters, hidden details, and memorable moments to see how well you really know the film.


Quiz on 'Hud' (1963): Test your knowledge on the dramatic intricacies and themes of 'Hud', a classic tale of family and moral conflict set against the Texas landscape.

What vehicle signifies Hud's personality and lifestyle?

Awards & Nominations for Hud

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Discover all the awards and nominations received by Hud, from Oscars to film festival honors. Learn how Hud and its cast and crew have been recognized by critics and the industry alike.


36th Academy Awards 1964

Paul Newman
Nomination

Actor

Paul Newman
Melvyn Douglas
Win

Actor in a Supporting Role

Melvyn Douglas
Patricia Neal
Win

Actress

Patricia Neal
Nomination

Art Direction (Black-and-White)

Win

Cinematography (Black-and-White)

Martin Ritt
Nomination

Directing

Martin Ritt
Nomination

Writing (Screenplay—based on material from another medium)

17th British Academy Film Awards 1964

Nomination

Best Film

Paul Newman
Nomination

Best Foreign Actor

Paul Newman
Patricia Neal
Win

Best Foreign Actress

Patricia Neal

16th Directors Guild of America Awards 1964

Martin Ritt
Nomination

Feature Film

Martin Ritt

21st Golden Globe Awards 1964

Nomination

Best Motion Picture – Drama

Paul Newman
Nomination

Best Performance in a Motion Picture – Drama (Actor)

Paul Newman
Melvyn Douglas
Nomination

Best Supporting Performance in a Motion Picture – Drama, Comedy or Musical (Supporting Actor)

Melvyn Douglas
Patricia Neal
Nomination

Best Supporting Performance in a Motion Picture – Drama, Comedy or Musical (Supporting Actress)

Patricia Neal
Martin Ritt
Nomination

Best Director

Martin Ritt

Full Plot Summary and Ending Explained for Hud

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Read the complete plot summary of Hud, including all major events, twists, and the full ending explained in detail. Explore key characters, themes, hidden meanings, and everything you need to understand the story from beginning to end.


Hud unfolds against a breathtaking backdrop of the expansive Texas landscape, smoothly transitioning into a highway where gentle guitar melodies drift through the air. We are introduced to Lon (Brandon De Wilde), a young and impressionable teenager aiming to reunite with his Uncle Hud. In an amusing encounter, Lon hops into a vehicle, and the driver drops him off, suggesting he locate Hud by searching for his unmistakable pink Cadillac.

Upon arriving, Lon soon learns of Hud’s latest escapade when he spots the flashy Cadillac parked at a local couple’s abode. He gives the horn a few honks, summoning Hud out into the light of day. However, Hud’s displeasure is palpable as he emerges, still unkempt from his midnight rendezvous with the woman inside. Concerningly, his reaction to Lon’s announcement that Homer (Melvyn Douglas), Hud’s father, is calling for him reveals more about their tumultuous relationship than intended. The tension escalates when the woman’s husband, Joe, arrives just as Hud and Lon are preparing to leave, leading to a series of threats from Joe that are quickly diffused by Hud’s disarming charm.

Driving away, Lon feels the aftermath of the unsettling encounter, but Hud merely laughs it off, quipping, “Relax, you could charge a stud fee by the time that story gets around town.” On the way home, questions about Homer arise, piquing Hud’s curiosity, especially since it’s been years since Homer sought his advice.

Upon reaching home, the situation quickly spirals into chaos when Homer reveals urgent news about a heifer that has mysteriously perished. The once peaceful ranch environment becomes filled with dark undercurrents as Homer seems uncertain while the ever-reckless Hud pursues his desire for excitement. Humor intertwines with tension when Alma, the Bannon’s housekeeper portrayed by Patricia Neal, chastises Hud for disregarding her flowers yet can’t help but play along with his flirtation, teasing him about his breakfast habits.

In what can only be characterized as Hud’s nature, he disregards the rules, believing that regulations exist solely to be bent. He shoots at vultures circling the dead animal, showcasing his rebellious spirit while Homer bravely stands his ground, insisting that the law serves an important purpose. Tension mounts as Homer’s instinct leads him to call for a state veterinarian, which Hud fiercely opposes, revealing the dichotomy between father and son—a generational clash of morals.

As the day progresses, the audience sees Hud’s audacious spirit manifest through flirtation with Alma, the perpetual thorn in his side, while Lon slowly becomes entangled in the muddy waters of Hud’s hedonistic world. Moments shared between the three—Lon, Hud, and Homer—highlight Lon’s budding aspirations mixed with dread, as Hud’s influence begins to corrupt the innocence he holds.

A dinner scene later captures the contrast between familial warmth and impending doom as Hud’s charm and reckless abandon play against Homer’s earnest attempts to guide Lon towards a good future. Conversations tread dark paths as themes of ambition clash with morality—the essence of life on the ranch spiraling out of balance as tensions flare. Amidst the heavy dialogue, Hud’s cynicism and charm resonate, with him remarking, “Nobody gets out of life alive,” subtly foreshadowing the impending tragedy that awaits.

The narrative crescendos as Homer’s health begins to deteriorate, leading to fragmented exchanges filled with emotional depth. After a disconcerting dinner, Homer slumps, unable to maintain his facade of strength, revealing the strain and wear of his years, particularly under the burden of having Hud as a son. This pivotal moment leads to a heartfelt and revealing exchange between Lon and Hud, where Lon grapples with the reality of mortality, and Hud wrestles with his backstory.

As the vet reveals a dreadful diagnosis that threatens the very fabric of their livelihood, family dynamics unravel even further. Hud’s impatience sets the stage for dubious decisions as he proposes morally questionable solutions that lead to intense confrontations with Homer, spawning a poignant argument steeped in guilt, regret, and the shadows of their past. Their battle takes center stage, showcasing not just a father-son conflict but an examination of values and principles in the face of survival.

As the final act unfolds, love and loss intertwine when Alma, having experienced discomfort from Hud’s advances, chooses to flee, leaving a void in Lon’s heart and in the homestead. This resignation signifies not only personal loss but the frail state of the family unit, further exacerbated by Homer’s tragic demise.

The devastating echoes of loss hang palpably in the air as Hud’s actions precipitate chaos that culminates in heart-wrenching but unavoidable conflict. Lon’s decision to distance himself from Hud marks a poignant end to the adolescent admiration he held—a farewell to the reckless lifestyle that Hud exudes. The final encounters with Hud reveal more of his confused yet resolute character in the face of despair than ever before, leading him to an internal reckoning as the curtain closes on a tale of life, death, and the complex interplay of familial legacies.

Ultimately, Hud stands alone, drink in hand, confronting an empty house that serves as a metaphor for his fractured relationships and the costs of his relentless pursuit of fulfillment against the backdrop of a stark Texas sunset, an enduring reminder of all that has been lost along the way.

Uncover the Details: Timeline, Characters, Themes, and Beyond!

Watch Trailers, Clips & Behind-the-Scenes for Hud

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Watch official trailers, exclusive clips, cast interviews, and behind-the-scenes footage from Hud. Dive deeper into the making of the film, its standout moments, and key production insights.


Hud - Trailer

HUD - Trailer - Movies! TV Network

Cars Featured in Hud

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Explore all cars featured in Hud, including their makes, models, scenes they appear in, and their significance to the plot. A must-read for car enthusiasts and movie buffs alike.


Cadillac

1958

Funeral Coach

Cadillac

1958

Series 62 Convertible

Chevrolet

1954

Bel Air

Chevrolet

1960

Biscayne

Chevrolet

1956

Task-Force

Ford

1949

8N

Ford

1960

Fairlane

Ford

1959

Fairlane 500 Galaxie

GMC

1955

100/150

International

Harvester TD-24

Hud Themes and Keywords

Discover the central themes, ideas, and keywords that define the movie’s story, tone, and message. Analyze the film’s deeper meanings, genre influences, and recurring concepts.


jukeboxwomanizerlonghorn cattleunderage drinkingfather son relationshiphousekeepertexasranchdysfunctional familyrural settingattempted rape1950salcoholismrancherneo westernrodeosmall townquarantinecattlebus stopnational film registrycontemporary westernland grabantagonist as protagonistsexual assaultdivorceegrandfatherflat tireuncle nephew relationshipmoralityintegrityranch handsleeping in the nudepickup truckanti herofoot and mouth diseasecar accidentbarroom brawldeath of fathermovie theatergreedcattle quarantineblack sheep of the familyfamily relationshipsgrudgecoming of ageextramarital affairamoralityloss of grandfatherbulldozer

Hud Other Names and Titles

Explore the various alternative titles, translations, and other names used for Hud across different regions and languages. Understand how the film is marketed and recognized worldwide.


ハッド O Indomado Hud: O Mais Selvagem Entre Mil Le plus sauvage d'entre tous El indomable Hud el más salvaje entre mil Der Wildeste unter tausend Hud il selvaggio Der Wildeste unter Tausend Le Plus Sauvage d'entre tous 原野铁汉 פרא מיני אלף (האד) Vildast av dem alla 폴 뉴먼의 허드 Хад Άγριος σαν θύελλα Hud el indomable Çılgınların Günahı Hud syn farmera هود Den Utæmmelige ჰადი

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Other Names for Hud

Explore the alternate titles, translations, and working names for Hud. Learn how the film is known in different regions, languages, and releases, and discover the variations that reflect its cultural reach and marketing choices.


ハッド O Indomado Hud: O Mais Selvagem Entre Mil Le plus sauvage d'entre tous El indomable Hud el más salvaje entre mil Der Wildeste unter tausend Hud il selvaggio Der Wildeste unter Tausend Le Plus Sauvage d'entre tous 原野铁汉 פרא מיני אלף (האד) Vildast av dem alla 폴 뉴먼의 허드 Хад Άγριος σαν θύελλα Hud el indomable Çılgınların Günahı Hud syn farmera هود Den Utæmmelige ჰადი

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