One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest

Name: One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest
Genre: Drama
Released: November 19, 1975
Duration: 133 min
Rating: 84
Cast: Louise Fletcher

1975

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Universal acclaim based on 21 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Universal acclaim based on 550 Ratings

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8.7

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8.7	User Score Universal acclaim based on 550 Ratings

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One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest

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Movie Details & Credits

United Artists | Release Date: November 19, 1975 | R

Starring: Louise Fletcher

Summary: A nice rest in a state mental hospital beats a stretch in the pen, right? Randle P. McMurphy (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 pickledA nice rest in a state mental hospital beats a stretch in the pen, right? Randle P. McMurphy (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 (Fletcher), among the most coldly monstrous villains in film history. At stake is the fate of every patient on the ward. (Warner Bros.)… Expand

Director: Milos Forman

Genre(s): Drama

Rating: R

Runtime: 133 min

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Metascore

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Critic Reviews

100

Empire Jake Hamilton

Too many classic set pieces to mention but keep your ears cocked for that immortal line "Mmmm, Juicy Fruit." Certified brilliance. Read full review

100

Jane Crowther

Playing the mental-hospital firebrand who rebels against monstrous Nurse Ratched (Louise Fletcher), Nicholson seduces in an anti-establishment classic with a gut-punch exit. Read full review

100

Chris Nashawaty

Nicholson’s live-wire performance turns what could have been a standard movie malcontent into a martyr. Read full review

Arthur Knight

With One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, Forman takes his rightful place as one of our most creative young directors. His casting is inspired, his sense of milieu is assured, and he could probably wring Academy Award performances from a stone. Read full review

James Berardinelli

Although the picture has not aged as well as some of its contemporaries, its themes remain germane, the story has lost none of its punch, and the performances retain their freshness. Read full review

Pauline Kael

The story and the acting make the film emotionally powerful. And Nicholson, looking punchy, tired, and baffled--and not on top of his character (as he is often is)--lets you see into him, rather than controlling what he lets you see.

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 found in the asylum. Read full review

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User Reviews

ReviewCritic

Dec 30, 2011

Jack Nicholson is awarded his first of three Oscars for his performance as Randle P. McMurphy, a con trying to make his life easier by pretending he is crazy, so he can go to a mental institution, or "Cuckoo's Nest". Louise Fletcher also won an Oscar as Nurse Ratched, a quiet characterJack Nicholson is awarded his first of three Oscars for his performance as Randle P. McMurphy, a con trying to make his life easier by pretending he is crazy, so he can go to a mental institution, or "Cuckoo's Nest". Louise Fletcher also won an Oscar as Nurse Ratched, a quiet character oozing with evil. Sometimes crazy, sometimes wise, sometimes sad, One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest is a sure classic.… Expand

4 of 8 users found this helpful44

Gamzguy17

Aug 21, 2021

Bravo! Bravo! "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest" is both a study in human mind interactions and the never-ending battles between the free-spirited and conservatives. Forty years later, its original 1970's context can be replaced to represent any decade's global events. It is one of thoseBravo! Bravo! "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest" is both a study in human mind interactions and the never-ending battles between the free-spirited and conservatives. Forty years later, its original 1970's context can be replaced to represent any decade's global events. It is one of those difficult films that manages to create entertainment, drama, and heartfelt tragedy between its unforgettable characters as they are all cooped up in one hellish spot. As you can guess, a big reason why these characters are unforgettable is because of the actors who portray them. Nicholson, Fletcher, Sampson, DeVito, Lloyd, Dourif, and the rest of them do a job well done. Very high praises from me all around. Go check this son of a gun out!… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

impedido10

Aug 2, 2013

This is one of the best movies ever created. Count on me when I say that. This movie is hilarious, sad, and heartbreaking. I could recommend this more. There are no words to express it...Maybe because my vecobulary is bad xD But jokes aside, you must watch this movie before you die

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

MattA

Aug 24, 2008

Cinematic gold. enough said.

1 of 1 users found this helpful

drlowdon

Dec 24, 2020

Randle Patrick McMurphy, serving a prison sentence for assault and statutory rape, manages to get himself transferred to a mental institution to avoid hard labour, once at the hospital however, he finds the ward is being dominated by tyrannical head nurse Mildred Ratched.

One Flew Over theRandle Patrick McMurphy, serving a prison sentence for assault and statutory rape, manages to get himself transferred to a mental institution to avoid hard labour, once at the hospital however, he finds the ward is being dominated by tyrannical head nurse Mildred Ratched.

One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest is undoubtedly one of the best movies ever made. Arguably features Jack Nicholson's greatest performance, the movie manages to be both comical and heart-breaking in a way that few movies have managed before or since.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

ShenekaB

May 12, 2008

this movie had a funny side to it but also a look at what real mental patients might go through. Jack Nicholson really played a funny part that made this movie very enjoyable.

1 of 1 users found this helpful

Sydmwswy

Jun 25, 2022

Toxic movies that I hate forever I really believe that films like this harm not only the cinema but also our world.

The opening of the movie is very ridiculous. It is one of the few times that I see the Academy giving the best actor award to the worst actor. The lunatic asylum nurse isToxic movies that I hate forever I really believe that films like this harm not only the cinema but also our world.

The opening of the movie is very ridiculous. It is one of the few times that I see the Academy giving the best actor award to the worst actor.

The lunatic asylum nurse is stupidly naughty . The secondary characters of the movie are very, very bad. The ending of the movie is more ridiculous than the opening, but the worst part of the movie is when a friend (Of course, it hardly even reaches the style of friend) kills him at the request of another friend. The stage design is awful. Neither realistic, nor surreal, nor minimal, nor anything, and intentionally made into a ridiculous form. None of the people in the asylum even come close to the style. There is nothing in this movie. Even relationships are artificial.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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