One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest

January 1975

(202)

Synopsis

Nominated for nine Academy Awards and winner of five, including the top categories of Best Picture, Director, Actor, Actress and Best Adapted Screenplay. Randle Patrick McMurphy (multi-Oscar winner Jack Nicholson -- "Something's Gotta Give," "As Good As It Gets") is a free-spirited, small-time convict who fakes being crazy so he can get transferred from the state penitentiary to what he thinks will be a more comfortable state mental hospital. But his contagious sense of delightful chaos clashes with the numbing routine of the hospital and the woman in charge of making sure nothing disrupts the sedate mood of the floor, Nurse Ratched (Oscar-winner Louise Fletcher -- "Cruel Intentions," "2 Days in the Valley"). Based on Ken Kesey's acclaimed bestseller. The superb cast also includes Emmy-winner Danny DeVito ("Big Fish," "L.A. Confidential"), Emmy-winner Christopher Lloyd (the "Back to the Future" trilogy, "Who Framed Roger Rabbit") and Brad Dourif (the "Lord of the Rings" trilogy, "Murder in the First"). MPAA Rating: R © 1975 Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. All Rights Reserved

Reviews

4.6

202 total

5 145

4 41

3 9

2 3

1 4

Chris Nashawaty

There's a lot here. But with a classic like Cuckoo's Nest, too much is never enough.

Richard Schickel

One Flew over the Cuckoo 's Nest is an earnest attempt to make a serious film. But in the end the movie backs away from both the human reality and the cloudy but potent symbolism that Ken Kesey...

James Berardinelli

Viewed 30 years after its release, One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest remains a very good motion picture, although one that perhaps just misses the pinnacle of greatness where its reputation suggests...

A.D. Murphy

Jack Nicholson stars in an outstanding characterization of Ken Kesey's asylum anti-hero, McMurphy, and Milos Forman's direction of a superbly-cast film is equally meritorious.

Dave Kehr

Jack Nicholson plays McMurphy as if he were born to it, and the supporting cast provides fine, detailed performances.

Set in an insane asylum, the film involves the oppression of the individual, a struggle spearheaded by an ebullient Nicholson, turning in a star performance if ever there was one.

Critic reviews

Chris Nashawaty

There's a lot here. But with a classic like Cuckoo's Nest, too much is never enough.

Full Review

Richard Schickel

One Flew over the Cuckoo 's Nest is an earnest attempt to make a serious film. But in the end the movie backs away from both the human reality and the cloudy but potent symbolism that Ken Kesey...

Full Review

James Berardinelli

Viewed 30 years after its release, One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest remains a very good motion picture, although one that perhaps just misses the pinnacle of greatness where its reputation suggests...

Full Review

A.D. Murphy

Jack Nicholson stars in an outstanding characterization of Ken Kesey's asylum anti-hero, McMurphy, and Milos Forman's direction of a superbly-cast film is equally meritorious.

Full Review

Dave Kehr

Jack Nicholson plays McMurphy as if he were born to it, and the supporting cast provides fine, detailed performances.

Full Review

Set in an insane asylum, the film involves the oppression of the individual, a struggle spearheaded by an ebullient Nicholson, turning in a star performance if ever there was one.

Full Review

User reviews

Steve Barak August 4, 2014

Great movie, but should have had a different title, so as not to be confused with the book, which was very different. For example, the book portrayed mental patients as real people that were just different, and it was society that shamed them into voluntarily commiting themselvrs to the hospital for just being themselves. The movie portrayed them as total childish freaks and jerks. But maybe that's part of the appeal of the movie.

Taylor Schutz March 2, 2013

If Google would let me, I would buy it!!! Definitely without a doubt one of the BEST movies I've ever seen. Jack Nicholson portrays a brilliant lunatic who, throughout the movie, provokes laughter and tears in a most charming way. Please, if you can afford the $1.99 to rent this movie, don't hesitate. DO IT!

pan iam March 30, 2014

this was the film that woke me up to the society and it was this film, when i watched it by myself in a tiny little apartment in beijing, woke me up to what i've been feeling within, while no one spoke this language around me back then, and i decided to change my life and started making movie, i wanted to spread messages like this. now, many years later, of course I have come to higher understanding of life, but wow, this is the bell that woke me up back then. It was This Movie. Thanks.

Nikki Tate May 28, 2013

I like this movie. I could only give 4 stars for 2 reasons. 1. It was recommended to me by my New England Yankee friend 'Stet', who was born & raised an hour away from the mental hospital where the movie was filmed. 2. I only got to see part of the movie before my connection was knocked out by a storm. But I saw enough to know that given the chance, I would love to see the rest of it.

Chris Novak February 28, 2014

This movie is a keeper! Its a keeper for so many reasons I cant even begin to explain. You will miss out on a TRUE classic if you don't watch it from beginning to end. Do yourself a favor and watch it. You will absolutely not be sorry!

Daniel Pizarro July 17, 2014

One flew over the cuckoo's nest This is a brilliant movie. I recommend it seriously

A Google User September 18, 2012

Great Movie This movie is wonderfull to watch. There is not one moment in this movie where you are not laughing, smiling, or even crying.

A Google User February 3, 2012

Blows What i saw of the movie was good but now cant watch it cuz it expired. Bull crap.

A Google User February 27, 2012

Classic! George, don't rate a movie bad because you allowed it to expire. #yourfault

Christy King May 1, 2014

Love this movie. This movie and a few books opened my eyes to reality. I've seen it 3 times already, looking forward to seeing it many more times.

A Google User February 5, 2012

Classic One of Jack Nicholson's best performances. This is a masterpiece, people

Joe Corr September 11, 2014

Love

A Google User April 15, 2012

Amazing Worth to watch

Travis DuPree December 28, 2012

Ok Nothing like the book doesn't do it justice. Its an OK movie though

Alec Sharon August 5, 2014

Good acting!!!!!!!! Loved this!!!! Favorite movie from the 70s

Jimmy Colon March 14, 2014

Jimmy Fumny movie

Cast and credits

Actors	Jack Nicholson, Danny Devito, Louise Fletcher, Scatman Crothers, Michael Berryman, William Redfield
Director	Milos Forman

Additional information

Rotten tomatoes® score

96%

Audio language

English (Stereo)

Subtitles

English

Rental period

Start within 30 days, finish within 48 hours.

Info cards

Enabled

Run time

133 minutes

Rating

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