One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest (1975)

Featured Audience Ratings

• Graham J

  
  One of the best and most important films of the 1970's is still powerful today. The script (from a story by Ken Kesey) is magnificent and this is the role that made Jack Nicholson.

• Directors C

  
  A great film but also an amazing adaption. One Flew over the Cuckoo's Nest is an emotional rollercoaster with memorable characters and performances and a cleverly inserted political subtext that never ceases to manipulate and entertain among the occasional multiple viewing. It… More
  A great film but also an amazing adaption. One Flew over the Cuckoo's Nest is an emotional rollercoaster with memorable characters and performances and a cleverly inserted political subtext that never ceases to manipulate and entertain among the occasional multiple viewing. It could have been 20 minutes shorter, but despite being incredibly slow, I was glued to the screen in it's entirety. This is possibly the best example of a film that's enjoyable in it's unrestrained intensity.

• Tyler K

  
  Well, let me start of that this is no ordinary movie. This is possibly the most uncomfortable movie you can possibly sit through. But it's also one of the best movies you can possibly sit through. Jack Nicholson and every other actor gave the most realistic performance in a movie… More
  Well, let me start of that this is no ordinary movie. This is possibly the most uncomfortable movie you can possibly sit through. But it's also one of the best movies you can possibly sit through. Jack Nicholson and every other actor gave the most realistic performance in a movie ever. Now that.... is enough said.

• First L

  
  Jack Nicholson's R.P. McMurphy isn't a very nice guy. Convicted of statutory rape and several assaults, he fakes insanity in order to get out of doing work detail in jail. What he expects to find at the mental hospital is a bunch of "feebs" relaxing and taking it… More
  Jack Nicholson's R.P. McMurphy isn't a very nice guy. Convicted of statutory rape and several assaults, he fakes insanity in order to get out of doing work detail in jail. What he expects to find at the mental hospital is a bunch of "feebs" relaxing and taking it easy. What he finds is nurse Ratched, an angry and petulant woman who uses terror tactics to get the results she wants from the inpatients. McMurphy's been in jail, seen the tougher, seedier side of life, and he fails to perceive nurse Ratched as a threat because she's capable of a different type of brutality than what he's been exposed to in life. McMurphy in fact, winds up changing his tune quite a bit. McMurphy the brawler lightens up towards those he sees as lost souls. He brings life to them, and while at first he's only doing it to get under Ratched's skin, he soon develops a genuine affection for the group he's living with. It's a weird situation to be in, to say the least. Nicholson does his best Jack Nicholson here, but the movie wouldn't be the same (or nearly as good) without the supporting characters. Scatman Crothers, Danny DeVito, Louise Fletcher, Christopher Lloyd, Sydney Lassick, and William Redfield all bring the film to life with their individually great performances. From a period where anti-establishment films were at a peak, One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest might just be the highlight.

• Melvin W

  
  McMurphy: Is that crazy enough for ya'? Want me to take a shit on the floor?  "If he's crazy, what does that make you?" One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest is a classic, and one of the better films you'll ever see. It's brilliance come mainly from the… More
  McMurphy: Is that crazy enough for ya'? Want me to take a shit on the floor?  "If he's crazy, what does that make you?" One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest is a classic, and one of the better films you'll ever see. It's brilliance come mainly from the spectacular performances by all involved. Louise Fletcher and Jack Nicholson's Oscars for their roles in this film speak for themselves, but the supporting cast that is around them are great too. Danny DeVito, Brad Douriff, Christopher Lloyd, and Will Sampson, along with the no names are terrific in their respective roles. This is an extremely powerful film, and one of the more disturbing films you're likely to see. The last 15 minutes or so are troubling to say the least. McMurphy is sent to a mental hospital because the penitentiary is sick of him and for evaluation, but he know, as do the staff their, that he really isn't crazy. It doesn't take long for his rebellious nature to cause waves with the head nurse. She rules over the patients like a dictator. McMurphy soon gets the other patients to start to rebel right along side him, and obviously that isn't going to make the nurse very happy.  Jack Nicholson's role as McMurphy is widely considered to be the best performance of his career. I myself like his role in The Shining the best, but he's as great as ever here. Whether he's acting like a lunatic screaming at the top of his lungs, telling jokes with the patients, or making wise cracks to the nurse; his performance is no less than amazing. There's a reason he is believed to be one of the better actors ever, and it is because of his performances in movies like this. Whether or not you'll like this movie really depends on one thing, if you're breathing. If you're alive, there's a really good chance you'll love the movie. I was introduced to it really early in life, before I understood everything that was going on and I even loved it then. This will forever be a timeless classic. A hundred years from now this film will still be in the discussion when talking about the greatest movies ever made. Nurse Ratched: The best thing we can do is go on with our daily routine. 

• Alexander D

  
  Poignant, brilliant drama is the faithful adaptation of Ken Kesey's 1962 classic novel of the same name. Set in the fall of 1963, the story centers around a man named R.P. McMurphy (Jack Nicholson). He is sent to an institution to be evaluated of his mental illness, charged for… More
  Poignant, brilliant drama is the faithful adaptation of Ken Kesey's 1962 classic novel of the same name. Set in the fall of 1963, the story centers around a man named R.P. McMurphy (Jack Nicholson). He is sent to an institution to be evaluated of his mental illness, charged for five separate assaults. Though somewhat quickly befriending a few other patients, namely Chief Bromden (Will Sampson), he just as quickly finds hatred for Nurse Ratched (Louise Fletcher), the hell cat of the asylum. Immediately after I finished this, I was convinced that this deserved a second viewing. Compared to the book, I'd have to say this is better. Sure, Ken Kesey implanted a good effect, and his book is memorable, but I physically felt my heart aching near the end of this film. As a side note, this was the first film since IT HAPPENED ONE NIGHT (41 years before) to pick up what are widely considered the five main Academy Awards: Best Picture, Best Director (Milos Forman), Best Actor (Nicholson), Best Actress (Fletcher), and Best Adapted Screenplay. Full Review: http://wp.me/p1Urcx-xP

• Joe M

  
  A not quite accurate portrayal of the mental health system and psychological disorders that lead to institutionalization but it's masterfully written, directed and Nicholson kills it as usual.

• Martin S

  
  The word I'm gonna use is.......slow

• Brad W

  
  one Flew Over the Cuckoos Nest is one of the greatest films ever made. The plot has so many deep and great meanings and it was tremendous. This is greatly cast and is Nicholson and Fletchers best films by far. I can honestly say I love this film, and its one of my all time… More
  one Flew Over the Cuckoos Nest is one of the greatest films ever made. The plot has so many deep and great meanings and it was tremendous. This is greatly cast and is Nicholson and Fletchers best films by far. I can honestly say I love this film, and its one of my all time favorites.

• Richard C

  
  What a great movie. Jack Nicholson was great in this movie. The movie was funny, sad, and inspiring and i liked this movie a lot. Grade: A-

• Jameson W

  
  Wow, just wow! A brilliant masterpiece of a film. This is one of those films that can't believe I waited so long to see. From the first frame to the very last, I was completely amazed and taken in by the sheer brilliance of it all. Everything about it is stunning...the acting,… More
  Wow, just wow! A brilliant masterpiece of a film. This is one of those films that can't believe I waited so long to see. From the first frame to the very last, I was completely amazed and taken in by the sheer brilliance of it all. Everything about it is stunning...the acting, direction, writing, emotion, conflict, humor, tragedy, realism, depth. It delivers on every level. It is one of my absolute favorite films of all time! There is so much that can be said about this film, but I will just mention one of the things that I loved, the acting. The acting in this film is unbelievable. First off, Jack Nicholson delivers what must be the best performance of his career. Astounding in every way! The emotion, depth, and realism he brings to the character is outstanding. He is undoubtably deserving of his Oscar and proves himself worthy to be considered one of the best living actors. Louise Fletcher gives one the most memorable performances in cinema history as Nurse Ratched. At first I wasn't impressed with her performance; I found it emotionless, wooden, and boring. However, as the film progressed, I realized how fitting the performance was to her character. Even by being seemingly calm and emotionless, she still gets into your head. I frequently found myself hating her with a passion, but at the same time she remained entirely human. She, too, deserved her Oscar for her memorable and unique performance. The supporting cast was perfect. The film easily could have sunk in this area, but the 8 or so main patients all delivered a different aspect to the film. I particularly enjoyed Danny DeVito's role. Jack Nicholson is perfect in this film, no doubt, but the performance that made this film for me...Brad Dourif. He gives a fantastic, unmissible, touching performance. He steals every scene he is in and really makes the film so much more. One of my favorite scenes in the movie, although tragic, is the second to last scene. It was at that time I completely fell in love with the film. He gives a brilliant performance and could have easilty taken home the Oscar that year for best Best Supporting Actor, but he only received the nomination. One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest is fantastic! I love this masterpiece and I recommend it to everyone.

• ♥Robyn

  
  Classic movie based on the book by Ken Kesey. Interesting fact, Kesey came up with the script after working in a mental hospital and being on psychedelics, imagine that~!!!!!!.. I just think that Jack Nicholsons performance is Stellar~!, but then again its not hard for him to act out… More
  Classic movie based on the book by Ken Kesey. Interesting fact, Kesey came up with the script after working in a mental hospital and being on psychedelics, imagine that~!!!!!!.. I just think that Jack Nicholsons performance is Stellar~!, but then again its not hard for him to act out of control and crazy LOL... Louise Fletcher who played Nurse Ratchet was also great ~! The movie touches on a lot of themes. Namely............ that insanity or craziness is very relative,and because one person doesnt "fit the mould" of how society thinks they should act, they can become imbalanced, alienated. Insanity can be an obvious chemical imbalance.... Great Movie~!!!!

• AJ V

  
  A fantastic drama film with a bunch of great actors, and a brilliant story. I highly recommend it!

• Lady D

  
  Perfection! An absolute phenomenal film with Nicholson's finest performance to date in my opinion. Great characterisation here with all the patients and a real insight into hospitals for mental health in that era, especially the use of electric shock treatment. This should… More
  Perfection! An absolute phenomenal film with Nicholson's finest performance to date in my opinion. Great characterisation here with all the patients and a real insight into hospitals for mental health in that era, especially the use of electric shock treatment. This should be in the collection of anyone who calls themselves a movie addict.

• John H

  
  People mistaken this for a masterpiece when it's really an insane asylum movie with no purpose or intent.

• Corey W

  
  One of my all-time favorites. Jack Nicolson gives his best performence in this film and

• Chris W

  
  This is an all-time classic. The acting alone is unmatched in it's superbness. I could (and probably should) say more about this, but in a way it's not really all that necessary. Most people have already done a far better job, and the film really speaks for itself anyway.… More
  This is an all-time classic. The acting alone is unmatched in it's superbness. I could (and probably should) say more about this, but in a way it's not really all that necessary. Most people have already done a far better job, and the film really speaks for itself anyway. I'll just bring in a small contribution by saying that this film is unbelievably accurate with its portrayal of the mental health profession and facilities of the time. I know this because I've had multiple family members who were employees (and one who was a patient) at a state hospital for years (including the time periods this was released and takes place in).

• Dan S

  
  The ultimate film concerning psych wards and the affect one individual can have on a group of people that believe in him. Jack Nicholson is absolutely terrific in a role that requires him to stand above his peers, something Nicholson has never had trouble with throughout his storied… More
  The ultimate film concerning psych wards and the affect one individual can have on a group of people that believe in him. Jack Nicholson is absolutely terrific in a role that requires him to stand above his peers, something Nicholson has never had trouble with throughout his storied career. This film is all-around perfect, from its dead-on casting, to its intense middle section, and its tragic finale. Brad Dourif is another stand-out here as a very, very troubled inmate. The reason to see this movie is for Nicholson's incredible turn, what his character is able to accomplish, if you will, is something else.

• Jay H

  
  This film stands as one of the most incredible, fantastic, significant films ever made. It's stunningly perfect around every corner, while communicating to a tee its provocative themes. Sheer brilliance.

• Jeff "

  
  One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest is a terrific, well acted and told Drama film. Jack Nicholson delivers a strong, funny and dramatic performance as Randle McMurphy. Louise Fletcher also delivers as Nurse Ratchet, one of the greatest film villains in cinematic history, she plays… More
  One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest is a terrific, well acted and told Drama film. Jack Nicholson delivers a strong, funny and dramatic performance as Randle McMurphy. Louise Fletcher also delivers as Nurse Ratchet, one of the greatest film villains in cinematic history, she plays the head nurse of the psychiatric ward. Nurse Ratchet is definitely one of the most memorable villains in film. One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest is a terrific film that has stood the test of time.

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