Ahh, but now you are talking about characters and not the actors behind them, Newman played far more convincing and realistic characters than McQueen, more passion and feeling involved in the roles too.
And, Cool Hand Luke is an awesome movie, the particular insanity portrayed in the film was at once humorous and harrowing and his reaction to the viciousness and brutality of the chain gang guards was perfect.
McQueen, the eternal Hero, did he ever play anything else?
Newan, raw, dirty, downtrodden, insane, suave, charismatic, loser, played them all.
Newman > McQueen