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HUD (1963)
Kd5000:
Has anyone ever seen this film? It starred Paul Newman, came out in 1963, and the screenplay was by Larry McMurtry. It's also set in the contemporary West (same time period as when BBM started, early 1960) and deals with dysfunctionalism, other social angst. It's not a regular western; 1870's, cattle drives, Indians etc. I've been trying to get my hands on it, but it's always checked out at Blockbuster. I know, I should get netflix. I've seen post on IMDB.com on the BBM msg board about HUD being a forerunner. I've also seen posts on HUD about it's homoeroticism.
What do ppl think who have seen HUD? Does it share foreshadow BBM? Of course, homoeroticism in the 1960's would have to be very subtle.
Here's a review from Variety which summarizes the storyline. http://www.variety.com/review/VE1117791819.html?categoryid=31&cs=1&p=0
moremojo:
I have only the vaguest recollection of seeing part of Hud on television, as a child, when my parents were watching it that way. I remember the scene where Paul Newman's character asks Patricia Neal's character if she still has that itch that needs scratching (as I recall). My interest in this film has been renewed in the wake of Brokeback Mountain.
A bit of trivia: At one stage, the film that Ennis and Alma were watching at the drive-in was going to be Hud (as a kind of in-joke), but this was later changed; apparently, the allusion was felt to be too heavy-handed.
HerrKaiser:
HUD is one of my all time favorites. Seen it several times; in fact I have posted several times here and on other forums the striking resemblance of Heath Ledger in the seen when he is cleaning pots and pans in the stream and looks up to see Jack on the mountain side to Brandon de Wilde from HUD. They have a stunning similarity...innocense, youth, longing, wondering, lonliness.
The homoeroticsm is minimal if you mean by that to be male to male erotiscm. You'd have to want to see it, if it exists at all, and probably struggle to determine if any such messaging is really being communicated. Newman is clearly sexy looking and erotic, but he is definitely a womanizer and all his energies are directed to women and boose. De Wilde is a young, non sexual character seeking understanding and maturity.
De Wilde tragically was killed before his very promising career was fully realized.
Patricia Neal won her only Oscar for her role; controversially in many ways. She had very very few lines, but she did an excellent job at her part in a fairly unremarkable year for film, imo. I actually thought Natalie Wood should have won for "Love with the proper stranger".
southendmd:
I just knew there had to be a thread on this film!
I saw it last night thanks to a little curiosity about Larry M's early work ("Last Picture Show" was stunning) and Netflix.
Not really up on Paul Newman's career, but I wonder how often he played such an unsavory character. Charming and gorgeous.
Brandon deWilde, as his nephew, heartbrakingly goes from idolizing Hud to seeing his true self.
Melvyn Douglas has such steadfast dignity in his role.
However, Patricia Neal is the shit! OMG, she can deliver a line! A well-deserved Oscar.
Plus, her name is Alma! Also the opening scene depicts a long shot of a truck travelling from right to left.
Mandy21:
One of my all-time faves. I've owned the DVD for years. Paul and Patricia were both incredible.
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