Paul Newman brought full-wattage movie star charisma to his iconic role as Luke Jackson, a WWII veteran who rebels against authority on a Florida chain gang, in director Stuart Rosenberg’s stylish prison drama. Along with Newman’s fourth Best Actor nomination, the film received nominations for Donn Pearce and Frank R. Pierson’s adapted screenplay and Lalo Schifrin’s energetic, eclectic score. George Kennedy won an Oscar for his role as fellow convict Dragline and was part of a supporting cast that included Strother Martin, in an unforgettable performance as the unsympathetic warden, and Newman’s fellow Actors Studio members Dennis Hopper and Lou Antonio.