Hud is a 1963 American Western drama film directed by Martin Ritt and starring Paul Newman, Melvyn Douglas, and Patricia Neal. The film was adapted by Irving Ravetch and Harriet Frank Jr. from Larry McMurtry's 1961 novel, Horseman, Pass By.
The movie portrays the complex relationships in a Texas ranching family. Hud Bannon (Newman), the son of Homer Bannon (Douglas), is an amoral and self-centered man who lives by his own rules. He has a preference for drinking and seducing women, and he is often involved in shady deals. However, he is also highly charismatic, and people are often drawn to him despite his ethical shortcomings.
Homer is a proud and principled man who is outraged by Hud's hedonism and disregard for tradition. He has spent his life building up the family ranch, and he has no patience for Hud's reckless behavior. Homer's hard-working and responsible nephew, Lon (Brandon De Wilde), looks up to Hud, but he starts to see him in a different light when he realizes the extent of Hud's immorality.
The story takes a dramatic turn when the ranch's cattle herd is found to be infected with foot-and-mouth disease, and Homer decides to dispose of the infected cattle. Hud wants to sell off the cattle to avoid financial ruin, but Homer believes it is his duty to take responsibility and contain the disease. The conflict between the two men intensifies, leading to a tragic climax.
The movie earned critical acclaim for its powerful performances, particularly Newman's portrayal of Hud as a flawed but magnetic character. The film won three Academy Awards, including Best Actor for Douglas and Best Supporting Actress for Neal. It received nine nominations in total, including Best Picture and Best Director. The movie has been recognized as a classic of American cinema, and it remains a powerful commentary on the tensions between individualism and responsibility in a changing world.