One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest (1975)

Upon admittance to a mental institution, a brash rebel rallies the patients to take on the oppressive head nurse, a woman he views as more dictator than nurse.

Director:

Milos Forman

Writers:

Lawrence Hauben (screenplay), Bo Goldman (screenplay),

Stars:

Michael Berryman, Peter Brocco, Louise Fletcher

Top 250 #13 | Won 5 Oscars. Another 30 wins & 12 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Michael Berryman	...	Ellis
Peter Brocco	...	Col. Matterson
Dean R. Brooks	...	Dr. Spivey
Alonzo Brown	...	Miller
Scatman Crothers	...	Turkle
Mwako Cumbuka	...	Warren
Danny DeVito	...	Martini
William Duell	...	Sefelt
Josip Elic	...	Bancini
Lan Fendors	...	Nurse Itsu
Louise Fletcher	...	Nurse Ratched
Nathan George	...	Washington
Ken Kenny	...	Beans Garfield
Mel Lambert	...	Harbor Master
Sydney Lassick	...	Cheswick

Storyline

McMurphy has a criminal past and has once again gotten himself into trouble with the law. To escape labor duties in prison, McMurphy pleads insanity and is sent to a ward for the mentally unstable. Once here, McMurphy both endures and stands witness to the abuse and degradation of the oppressive Nurse Ratched, who gains superiority and power through the flaws of the other inmates. McMurphy and the other inmates band together to make a rebellious stance against the atrocious Nurse.

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Plot Keywords:

nurse | patient | basketball | insanity | playing card | 

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Taglines:

If he's crazy, what does that make you?

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Genres:

Drama

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Certificate:

R

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

21 November 1975 (USA)

Also Known As:

Atrapado sin salida

Filming Locations:

Depoe Bay, Oregon, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$4,400,000 (estimated)

Gross:

$112,000,000 (USA)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Fantasy Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

133 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Anjelica Huston:  Jack Nicholson's one-time girlfriend appears as one of the crowd on the pier as the fishing excursion returns.

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Goofs

Just before McMurphy climbs over the fence to hide in the bus, what looks to be a Ford Pinto can be seen in the hospital parking lot.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Attendant Warren: Good morning, Miss Ratched.
Nurse Ratched: Good morning.
Attendant Washington: Good morning, Miss Ratched.
Nurse Ratched: Mr. Washington.
Miller: Morning.
Nurse Ratched: Good morning.
Nurse Pilbow: Good morning, Miss Ratched.
Nurse Ratched: Good morning.
Attendant Washington: Morning, Bancini.
[...]

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Crazy Credits

The cast is credited in alphabetical order in the end credits, except for Brad Dourif, who is listed last as follows: "and introducing / Brad Dourif as Billy Bibbit".

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Connections

Spoofed in Heavy Weights (1995)

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Soundtracks

"Jingle Bells"
(1857) (uncredited)
Written by James Pierpont
Played on a record

User Reviews

Jack Nicholson at his finest

It's tough to really judge this movie. Is it Milos Forman's greatest directorial masterpiece or Jack Nicholson's best performance. Tough to say, but the marriage between both director and actor are quite phenomenal. From the first time we see Jack Nicholson to the sad, yet uplifting ending, one cannot escape the sheer power of the film. When a film is parodied as many times as this one has been, typically, greatness can be associated. Well, greatness was achieved, and let's hope this one never falls through the cracks.