 Paul Newman 's character , Luke , is a decorated war veteran who is sentenced to serve two years in a Florida rural prison . He constantly defies the authorities of the facility , becoming a leader among the prisoners , as well as escaping multiple times . While the script was being developed , the leading role was initially considered for Jack Lemmon or Telly Savalas . Newman asked to play the leading role after hearing about the project . In order to develop his character , he traveled to West Virginia , where he recorded local accents and surveyed people 's behavior . George Kennedy turned in an Academy Award @-@ winning performance as the leader of the prisoners , Dragline , who fights Luke , and comes to respect him . During the nomination process , worried about the box office success of Camelot and Bonnie and Clyde , Kennedy invested US $ 5 @,@ 000 in trade advertising to promote himself . Kennedy later stated that thanks to the award his salary was " multiplied by ten the minute ( he ) won , " also adding " the happiest part was that I didn 't have to play only villains anymore . " 
