Editing Cool Hand Luke (section)

===Christian imagery===
Pierson included in his draft explicit religious symbolism.{{sfn|Eagan, Daniel|p=628|2010}} The film contains several elements based on Christian themes, including the concept of [[Saint Luke|Luke as a saint]] who wins over the crowds and is ultimately sacrificed.{{sfn|Reinhartz, Adele|p= 69 - 72|2012}} Luke is portrayed as a "Jesus-like redeemer figure".{{sfn|Greenspoon|Beau|Hamm|2000|p=131}} After winning the egg-eating bet, he lies exhausted on the table in the position of Jesus as depicted in [[crucifixion of Jesus|his crucifixion]], hands outstretched, feet folded over each other. After learning of his mother's death, Luke sings "[[Plastic Jesus (song)|Plastic Jesus]]". Greg Garrett also compares Luke to Jesus, in that like Jesus, he was not physically threatening to society because of his actions, and like Jesus' crucifixion, his punishment was "out of all proportion".{{sfn|Garrett, Gregg|p=36 - 40|2007}} Luke also hands both a snake then a stick to Boss Godfrey, mirroring Moses giving a stick then a snake to the Pharaoh.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Exodus%207%3A8-13&version=ISV | title=Exodus 7:8-13 ISV - - Bible Gateway }}</ref>

Luke challenges God during the rainstorm on the road, telling him to do anything to him. Later, while he is digging and filling trenches and confronted by the guards, Tramp ([[Harry Dean Stanton]]) performs the spiritual "[[Ain't No Grave|No Grave Gonna Keep my Body Down]]".{{sfn|Garrett, Gregg|p=36 - 40|2007}} Toward the end of the film, Luke speaks to God, evoking the conversation between God and Jesus at the [[Gethsemane|Garden of Gethsemane]], depicted in the [[Gospel of Luke]].{{sfn|Garrett, Gregg|p=36 - 40|2007}} In the final scene, Dragline eulogizes Luke. He explains that despite Luke's death, his actions succeeded in defeating the system.{{sfn|Reinhartz, Adele|p= 69 - 72|2012}} The closing shot shows inmates working on crossroads from far above, such that the intersection is in the shape of the cross. Superimposed on this is the repaired photo Luke sent during his second escape, the creases of which also form a cross.{{sfn|Hook, Sue Vander|p=56|2010}}