One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest (film)

One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest poster

One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest is a 1975 American drama film directed by Miloš Forman and based on the 1962 novel of the same name by Ken Kesey. The film stars Jack Nicholson as Randle Patrick McMurphy, a new patient at a mental institution, and features a supporting cast including Louise Fletcher as Nurse Ratched, Will Sampson as "Chief" Bromden, along with Danny DeVito, William Redfield, and Christopher Lloyd in their early roles. The narrative follows McMurphy, who pleads insanity to escape labor duties in prison and is sent to the hospital. There, he rallies the patients to take on the oppressive Nurse Ratched.

Plot

Randle McMurphy, a criminal who has been sentenced to a short term for statutory rape, is transferred for evaluation to a mental institution. He assumes it will be a less restrictive environment but finds himself clashing with the head nurse, Mildred Ratched, who wields her authority with a mix of rigid discipline and subtle manipulation. McMurphy's rebellious nature and defiance against Ratched's rules lead to a series of confrontations. He encourages the other patients to assert themselves, organizing a basketball game, fishing trip, and unauthorized parties. These acts of rebellion, however, lead to tragic consequences for McMurphy and the other patients.

Cast

• Jack Nicholson as Randle Patrick McMurphy
• Louise Fletcher as Nurse Ratched
• Will Sampson as "Chief" Bromden
• Danny DeVito as Martini
• Christopher Lloyd as Taber
• William Redfield as Harding
• Brad Dourif as Billy Bibbit

Production

The film was produced by Michael Douglas and Saul Zaentz. It was shot on location at Oregon State Hospital in Salem, Oregon, which served as the film's setting. Director Miloš Forman worked closely with the novel's author, Ken Kesey, although Kesey later disowned the film due to its deviation from his book, particularly the decision to not narrate the story from Chief Bromden's perspective.

Reception

One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest was a critical and commercial success. It was one of the films to win all five major Academy Awards (Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor, Best Actress, and Best Adapted Screenplay), a feat only matched by a few films in the history of the Oscars. Critics praised the film for its direction, performances, particularly those of Nicholson and Fletcher, and its insightful commentary on the nature of authority and conformity. It has since been regarded as one of the greatest films ever made.

Themes

The film explores themes of individualism versus institutionalism, the human spirit against oppression, and the fine line between sanity and insanity. Through McMurphy's struggle and the diverse cast of characters within the institution, it critiques the mental health care system and the societal norms that define "normal" behavior.

Legacy

One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest has left a significant mark on popular culture and the film industry. It has inspired numerous adaptations and discussions about mental health, authority, and rebellion. The performances of Nicholson and Fletcher have been widely celebrated, and the film's impact on the portrayal of mental institutions in media is profound. It has been preserved in the United States National Film Registry by the Library of Congress for being "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant."