Directed by:
Miloš FormanCinematography:
Haskell WexlerComposer:
Jack NitzscheCast:
Jack Nicholson, Louise Fletcher, William Redfield, Will Sampson, Brad Dourif, Sydney Lassick, Danny DeVito, Christopher Lloyd, William Duell (more)VOD (3)
Plots(1)
A nice rest in a state mental hospital beats a stretch in the pen, right? Randle P. McMurphy (Jack Nicholson), a free-spirited con with lightning in his veins and glib on his tongue, fakes insanity and moves in with what he calls the "nuts." Immediately, his contagious sense of disorder runs up against numbing routine. No way should guys pickled on sedatives shuffle around in bathrobes when the World Series is on. This means war! On one side is McMurphy. On the other is soft-spoken Nurse Ratched (Louise Fletcher), among the most coldly monstrous villains in film history. At stake is the fate of every patient on the ward. Based on Ken Kesey's acclaimed bestseller. (official distributor synopsis)
(more)Videos (1)
Reviews (12)
I've had this legendary film queued up for a long time, and it took me a while to get to it. I finally saw it, and I must say, it's a truly intense spectacle. Some of the actors play their madmen absolutely brilliantly. Danny DeVito is absolutely captivating, but it's clear that the main attention is focused on Nicholson and Fletcher. I like that the conflict isn't usually direct but more like a cold war. It builds up beautifully. Each scene has its strength, even if its climax may come gradually. When you want to create hell, you don't need demons.
()
An excellent film in all respects, which, like wine, matures in your head over the viewings. The combination of Milos Forman being on top form and the frantic acting of Jack Nicholson is simply mesmerising. And I could point out every aspect of the film in that same way. In short, a truly legendary piece of work.
()
There isn’t much to add. The label of one of the best films in history is very well deserved, as well as the five Oscars in the five major categories. It revitalised Miloš Forman's career in an incredible way, helping him rise to the position of a respected and successful great director. But where would this film be with a different cast? The praise here is not only due to Jack Nicholson, whose performance is brilliant and heartfelt, and I rank it among the best I've ever seen, but also to the other actors involved, who are incredible as the madmen and give the film a distinct authenticity and power. The story is precisely written and directed, Louise Fletcher is both charming and devilish at the same time, and the ending is an unforgettable experience that everyone should savour.
()
It may be surprising in connection with the name of Miloš Forman, but his name always comes to mind whenever I think of political motifs in film-making, specifically left-wing political concepts. While his films don't feature revolutions or strike movements, nor are they simple and clear political manifestos, Forman works in a complex way with the basic ideals of intellectual leftism and depicts in his films the boundaries of human freedom, democracy, and equality. For example, in Ragtime, he explores the issue of racial emancipation, in Hair the anti-war movement, and in One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, as an uninvolved observer, he follows the perennial conflict between authoritarianism, hiding behind competence and responsibility for the entrusted flock, represented by the "big" sister, and between free-thinking and anarchy represented by the volatile character portrayed by Jack Nicholson. On one hand, there is responsibility, but do we even know if those who decide are always selfless and just? On the other hand, are those who operate under the concept of absolute freedom capable of bearing the responsibility for the consequences of their actions, and would a society composed solely of McMurphys function? Wouldn't what we admire in his fight for his own rights soon be at our throats if it surrounded us? And above all, is democratic voting in a society composed of average individuals often with poor education, low intelligence, and minimal motivation the best way to govern society? Doesn't democratic choice when appointing a political position equate to voting by incapacitated patients in a psychiatric institution? From an acting, directing, and screenwriting perspective, One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest is one of the peaks of world cinema, and Forman has rightfully become a legend of American cinema. Overall impression: 100%.
()
Clearly the best of Miloš Forman, the best of Jack Nicholson, and one of the most works I most admire. If I had to objectively state one film that deserves the highest rating from everyone, I would say it is indeed One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest. The actors compete over who does the best acting job – whether it's Randall, the head nurse, or any of the other crazies, they are all incredibly believable. For me, the best was the Indian, also because of the ending, where my jaw dropped and stayed hanging open for quite some time.
()
Ads