Throughout his long career in Hollywood, Paul Newman appeared in some of his generation’s greatest films. He’s best known for *The Color of Money*, *Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid*, *The Sting*, and *Cool Hand Luke*. The latter earned Newman an Academy Award nomination for Best Actor, where he delivers a practically flawless performance.
The title *Cool Hand Luke* comes from a memorable line spoken by Luke (Newman): “Sometimes nothing can be a real cool hand.” This dialogue plays a significant role throughout the film. Another famous quote, “I can eat 50 eggs,” has been parodied extensively, but the most iconic line is delivered by Captain (Strother Martin). His monologue about Luke’s defiance while working on a chain gang begins with, “What we’ve got here is failure to communicate,” perfectly capturing the tension in the film.
This line holds a rare honor, ranking 11th on the American Film Institute’s list of “100 Years… 100 Movie Quotes.” Considering the thousands of memorable movie quotes out there, earning a place on AFI’s list—shared with only 99 other films—is a remarkable distinction. The quote is in excellent company, alongside such classics as “Frankly, my dear, I don’t give a damn,” from *Gone with the Wind* (1st place), and “Here’s looking at you, kid,” from *Casablanca* (5th place).
Beyond its inclusion in the AFI list, the famous *Cool Hand Luke* quote has permeated other areas of popular culture over the years. The film itself is regarded as one of the best ever made, reflected in its perfect 100% score on Rotten Tomatoes. The memorable dialogue helps define the movie’s lasting appeal, with Captain’s line standing out as the signature quote.
In full, Captain says:
*”What we’ve got here is failure to communicate. Some men, you just can’t reach. So you get what we had here last week which is the way he wants it. Well, he gets it. And I don’t like it anymore than you men.”*
Even if you’ve never seen *Cool Hand Luke*, there’s a good chance you’ve heard this line—thanks in part to the 1991 song “Civil War” by Guns N’ Roses. The track begins with the entire quote taken straight from the film, effectively setting the tone. The song deals with themes of conflict and miscommunication, making Captain’s words a fitting introduction.
This iconic quote has found its way into numerous other media as well, appearing in films such as *Waterworld*, *Major Payne*, *Ernest Saves Christmas*, the 2007 *Halloween*, and the TV series *Californication*. Guns N’ Roses paid tribute to the film once again in their 2008 song “Madagascar,” which features “What we’ve got here is failure to communicate” in the bridge, alongside other historic quotes.
Sadly, few actors from *Cool Hand Luke* are still alive to witness the lasting legacy of the film and its cultural impact. Yet, nearly 60 years after that unforgettable line was first spoken, *Cool Hand Luke* continues to resonate, with its quotes and themes maintaining a strong influence well into the 21st century.
https://www.looper.com/2016403/cool-hand-luke-what-we-ve-got-here-is-a-failue-to-communicate-line-honor/