Have you watched the iconic crime drama Cool Hand Luke? Do you know where was Cool Hand Luke filmed?
Cool Hand Luke is a crime drama that follows the life of a fugitive who keeps on escaping from prison. The movie is based on a novel titled Cool Hand Luke written by the author Donn Pearce. It is also notable that the movie was also the debut film of actors like Anthony Zerbe and Ralph Waite.
Cool Hand Luke was filmed primarily in California and parts of Florida. Most of the interior filming of the movie was done in the Warner Brothers Burbank Studio, while the exterior scenes were filmed in other locations. The movie was produced by Jack Lemmon who was the owner of Jalem Productions.
We will be discussing where was Cool Hand Luke filmed. However, if you want to explore the filming locations of other movies, you can also check where titles like Texas Chainsaw 3D and Bad Sisters were shot.
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Where Was Cool Hand Luke Filmed?
Cool Hand Luke features a lot of Easter eggs in the movie, including a cameo appearance from the author of the original novel. It is also notable that parts of the novel were also inspired by his real-life experiences. Initially, the producer of the movie was also supposed to portray the role of Luke, but he chose to rather produce the movie because he felt he would not fit the role.
If you already know where was Cool Hand Luke filmed, you can explore the shooting locations for other movies and TV shows. We have also covered the filming locations for Somebody Somewhere and 22 Jump Street.
Cool Hand Luke | Escape The Prison!
Before we discuss where was Cool Hand Luke filmed we will be taking a look at the plot of the movie.
Cool Hand Luke is a crime drama that focuses on the life of a fugitive. Luke is sentenced to prison for two years, however, he decides to not stay put. So the police authorities are forced to capture him again and again as he keeps on escaping from prison.
Cool Hand Luke is an intense movie that presents the journey of a laidback character who does not believe in law enforcement authorities. The movie also sheds light on his calm personality that instigates the police officers to punish him harder for his misdemeanors.
Will the authorities be able to break Luke? Will Luke eventually escape the prison for once and all or will he eventually give in? If you want to find out what happens to Luke you will have to watch the dramatic movie. However, for now, you can enjoy the filming locations of the iconic movie.
| IMDb Rating | 8.1 |
| Runtime | 2 hours 7 minutes |
| Director(s) | Stuart Rosenberg |
| Writer(s) | Donn Pearce, Frank Pierson, Hal Dresner |
| Cast | Paul Newman, George Kennedy, Strother Martin |
| Release Date | November 1, 1967 (United States) |
| Production(s) | Jalem Productions |
Stockton
Most of the filming for Cool Hand Luke is supposed to be in prison. So, there was a fake prison built near Stockton, which was a recreation of typical Southern prison camps. The set featured barracks, mess halls, warden quarters, and other important buildings. There were a total of more than a dozen buildings that were constructed to complete the film set.
If you want to travel to the film set, you will be displeased to know that the sets were removed after the filming of the movie was finished.
Jacksonville
The exterior parts of the prison in the movie Cool Hand Luke were filmed outside an actual prison. The Callahan Road Prison is situated in Jacksonville and was used to film the exterior scenes of the prison walls. Besides that, there are scenes where Luke is chased by prison dogs after his escape is also filmed outside the prison.
You might be able to visit the outside of the prison in Jacksonville, however, the corrections facility is still functional and you will not be able to visit it.
Warner Brothers Burbank Studio
All the interior scenes for the movie Cool Hand Luke were filmed in multiple stages of the Warner Brothers Burbank Studios. Primarily stages 1,6, and 9 of the studio were used to set up the interior scenes of the movie.
You will be able to visit the Warner Brothers Studios if you want to, however, some parts of the stages are still not accessible for visitors because the studios are still functional and are used for filming other movies as well.
San Joaquin-Sacramento River Delta
There are multiple scenes in Cool Hand Luke that were filmed around the San Joaquin-Sacramento River Delta. Other than that the regions near the San Joaquin River, and the San Joaquin Valley were also used to film the scenes where Luke is captured by the police officers.
The local region is one of the most scenic places that was featured in the movie, you can also plan a relaxing trip to the region if you are visiting California. You can do multiple activities like hiking, camping, and fishing near the river.
Tavares
No parts of the movie Cool Hand Luke were filmed in Tavares, Florida. However, the correctional facility situated in Tavares was used as an inspiration for creating the set in Stockton. The facility in Tavares is where the author of the novel Donn Pearces was held captive for two years. The creators intended to exactly replicate the prison structure to add authenticity to the story.
Trivia
Multiple small easter eggs were a part of the movie Cool Hand Luke. For example, Luke was given prisoner number 37 as an ode to the bible verse Luke 1:37 which states “For, with God, nothing shall be impossible”.
Other than that, there were some dialogues in the movie that were directly referenced from a famous Guns ‘n’ Roses song Civil war. There is also a track in the movie that was sung by the lead actor Paul Newman.
Some minor parts of the film after Luke’s escape were also filmed in Lodi, California. And the changes done to the parking meters during the filming were not rectified by the authorities for decades as an ode to the movie.
Final Words
We have compiled all the details that you might need to know about where was Cool Hand Luke filmed. We hope you enjoyed this read on where was Cool Hand Luke filmed. Other than filming locations, you can also find where to stream titles like The Harbinger and Cars On The Road.
You can also check the filming location of our favorite movies and TV shows with us, ranging from Oscar-winning documentaries to exceptional Vietnamese movies. If we have not covered the filming locations of any upcoming movies, you can suggest them to us.
What is the cast of Cool Hand Luke?
The cast of Cool Hand Luke consists of Paul Newman, George Kennedy, J. D. Cannon, Robert Drivas, Lou Antonio, Strother Martin, and Jo Van Fleet.
Where can you watch Cool Hand Luke?
You can watch Cool Hand Luke on the streaming platform HBO Max.
Is Cool Hand Luke adapted from a book?
Cool Hand Luke is adapted from the novel Cool Hand Luke written by author Donn Pearce.
Is the trailer of Cool Hand Luke available on Youtube?
Yes, the trailer of Cool Hand Luke is available for streaming on Youtube.
What was the production budget for Cool Hand Luke?
The production budget of the movie Cool Hand Luke was 3.2 million USD.
Who is the distributor for Cool Hand Luke?
The distributor for the movie Cool Hand Luke was Warner Bros.-Seven Arts.
