HUD

US, 1963, 110 minutes, Black and white.
Paul Newman, Patricia Weal, Melvyn Douglas, Brandon de Wilde.
Directed by Martin Ritt.

Hud is a contemporary western about the clash between a slick, go-getting son and his traditional, cattle-man father. It is vivid in its presentation of what happens on today's ranches, the life, cattle, diseases. The fact that it is modern - the town, its bars, shops, cinemas - help an audience identify more readily with the values the film stands for.

Paul Newman is Hud, to-day's selfish young man with a chip on his shoulder, tarnishing everything he touches. His status symbol and his weapon is his car. His stern and highly principled father is shocked by his son's ruthlessness. To highlight the generation gap, Hud's nephew, Lonnie, veers unsteadily at times between imitating Hud and following his grandfather's principles.

Martin Ritt always gives a strong sense of the social background of his films (e.g. A Man is Ten Feet Tall, The Spy Who Came In From the Cold, The Brotherhood, The Molly Maguires). It is true of Hud. The widescreen photography of the arid ranch and the cattle is excellent, especially the moving sequence of the destruction of the cattle. Ritt also directed Newman in Paris Blues, The Long Hot Summer, The Outrage, Hombre. Newman was nominated for an Oscar for his performance here but did not win it. However, Patricia Neal won the Oscar for the Best Actress of 1963 for her portrayal of the tired housekeeper, Alma. Melvyn Douglas won the Oscar for best supporting actor in his role as Hud's father. It is a fine performance.

1. What does this Western have in common with other Westerns as regards story and theme?

2. Does the fact that it is a contemporary Western (and therefore, different, while in many ways similar to other Westerns) make us alert to its themes and values?

3. The main characters speak of principles, that Hud "couldn't give a damn" and that this was his main failure. Would you say that 'principles' is a major theme of the film?

4. What does the film say about the generation gap? This seems to
centre on Hud in so far as "Daddy" is too old and Lonnie too young. Is this true?

5. Hud is selfish. Whose fault is this? Does Hud like himself? Why?

6. Is Hud too self-centered or his father too hard? Hud says his "Daddy" was so good that he himself had to be bad. What does the film say about Hud and right and wrong?
- the substitution of the car as status symbol and weapon?
- drink and his brother's death?
- sex and other men's wives?
- about selling diseased cattle?
- the attempted assault on Alma?
- manoeuvring Lonny to like him?
- getting property?
- honesty, Hud winning the pig chase?

7. Is Hud a hero? is he meant to be one?

8. Does the fact that Paul Newman plays Hud make any difference to your reaction?

9. Is his father likeable? His patience and goodness, and principles?

10. Does Lonny form an adequate contrast with Hud - he is good, likeable, conscientious, while Hud is 'mean'?

11. What function does Alma play in the film? As a women? As the housekeeper?