One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest (1975)

Synopsis of One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest

With an insane asylum standing in for everyday society, Milos Forman's 1975 film adaptation of Ken Kesey's novel is a comically sharp indictment of the Establishment urge to conform. Playing crazy to avoid prison work detail, manic free spirit Randle P. McMurphy (Jack Nicholson) is sent to the state mental hospital for evaluation. There he encounters a motley crew of mostly voluntary inmates, including cowed mama's boy Billy (Brad Dourif) and silent Native American Chief Bromden (Will Sampson), presided over by the icy Nurse Ratched (Louise Fletcher). Ratched and McMurphy recognize that each is the other's worst enemy: an authority figure who equates sanity with correct behavior, and a misfit who is charismatic enough to dismantle the system simply by living as he pleases. McMurphy proceeds to instigate group insurrections large and small, ranging from a restorative basketball game to an unfettered afternoon boat trip and a tragic after-hours party with hookers and booze. Nurse Ratched, however, has the machinery of power on her side to ensure that McMurphy will not defeat her. Still, McMurphy's message to live free or die is ultimately not lost on one inmate, revealing that escape is still possible even from the most oppressive conditions. ~ Lucia Bozzola, Rovi

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Theatrical Feature Running Time:

133 mins

Director(s):

Milos Forman

Writer(s):

Lawrence Hauben, Bo Goldman

Producer(s):

Saul Zaentz, Michael Douglas

Theatrical MPAA Rating:

R(Not For Children)

• 1998 - American Film Institute - 100 Greatest American Movies
• 1976 - British Academy of Film and Television Arts - Best Supporting Actor
• 1976 - British Academy of Film and Television Arts - Best Editing
• 1976 - British Academy of Film and Television Arts - Best Director
• 1976 - British Academy of Film and Television Arts - Best Picture
• 1976 - British Academy of Film and Television Arts - Best Editing
• 1976 - British Academy of Film and Television Arts - Best Editing
• 1976 - British Academy of Film and Television Arts - Best Actor
• 1976 - British Academy of Film and Television Arts - Best Actress
• 1975 - Directors Guild of America - Best Director
• 1975 - Golden Globe - Best Picture - Drama
• 1975 - Hollywood Foreign Press Association - Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture - Drama
• 1975 - Hollywood Foreign Press Association - Best Picture - Drama
• 1975 - Hollywood Foreign Press Association - Best Screenplay
• 1975 - Hollywood Foreign Press Association - Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture - Drama
• 1975 - Hollywood Foreign Press Association - Best Director
• 1975 - Hollywood Foreign Press Association - Best Screenplay
• 1975 - Hollywood Foreign Press Association - New Star of the Year - Male
• 1992 - Library of Congress - U.S. National Film Registry
• 1975 - Los Angeles Film Critics Association - Best Picture
• 1975 - National Board of Review - Best Actor
• 1975 - National Society of Film Critics - Best Actor
• 1975 - New York Film Critics Circle - Best Actor
• 1977 - People's Choice Awards - Best Picture

Warning:  This product is intended for mature audiences only. It may contain violence, sexual content, drug abuse and/or strong language. You must be 17 or older to purchase it. By ordering this item you are certifying that you are at least 17 years of age.

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