One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest (1975)
Also known as "One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest - Special Edition DVD"
One flew east, one flew west, and one flew over the cuckoo's nest
Starring: Jack Nicholson, Louise Fletcher, Danny De Vito, Christopher Lloyd, William Redfield, Brad Dourif, Will Sampson, Vincent Schiavelli, William Duell, Sydney Lassick, Josip Elic, Michael Berryman, Dwight Marfield, Peter Brocco, Dean R. Brooks, Ken Kenny, Alonzo Brown, Marya Small, Louisa Mortiz, Scatman Crothers
Director: Milos Forman
Running Time: 133 minutes
US MPAA rating: N/AUK BBFC rating: 18
Comedy, Drama
On DVD The Oscars don't lie. Well, actually, scrap that comment - they do. The Hours, for example, is rubbish. But, when the Academy gave 'One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest' all four of the main gongs for 1975 (Best Actor, Actress, Director and Picture), they got it spot on. Only 1934's 'It Happened One Night' had achieved such a clean sweep before, and only 1991's 'The Silence of the Lambs' has managed it since. This film, for my money, is better than either of them. Working from the novel by Ken Kesey, Czech director Milos Forman perfectly handles this funny, poignant and dramatic tale of group dynamics behind the bare walls of a mental hospital. Jack Nicholson - as the cocky Randle McMurphy - rocks the boat (literally, at one point) when he arrives as the newest inmate, a misbehaving convict who the penal system seem to have given up trying to understand. Has he been faking madness to get out of his prison chores, or is he genuinely in need of help? Nicholson's magnificent performance is supported by an impressive ensemble of loons, including then unknowns Danny De Vito and Christopher Lloyd (this was three years before 'Taxi'). But it's Louise Fletcher who perhaps looms largest in this reviewer's memory, as the frighteningly steely Nurse Ratched, watching over the ward with expressionless conviction. 'Cuckoo's Nest' is quite simply a terrific film. If you haven't seen it before, there's really no excuse now that it's been visually restored, digitally remastered and given the all-round Special Edition DVD treatment. Oh, and brace yourself for one of the most shocking and touching endings in movie history. You won't forget it in a hurry.
DVD Extras: Audio commentary from Milos Forman, an hour-long 'Making Of' documentary, extra scenes, and a trailer.
It's Got: Medication time!
It Needs: A straitjacket
Alternatives: Crazy People, The Dream Team, 28 Days, Girl Interrupted
Summary: Jack Nicholson at his very best - a must-have DVD.
Review by Gary Panton
Review Date: 22nd January 2004
External Links
One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest at the IMDB
Comments4 Comments |
| i wouldn't **** on this movie. Jack Nicholsen is a poof!! |
| Comment by:- savo Zunic | | 19 October 2004 | ip: logged |
| great film |
| Comment by:- Anonymous | | 22 November 2004 | ip: logged |
| classic |
| Comment by:- Anonymous | | 22 November 2004 | ip: logged |
| a film may be simple in its execution but no way can be blamed to be simplistic.it forces one to think on the deepest philosophies of life without being gloomy. |
| Comment by:- siddhartha rana | | 25 November 2004 | ip: logged |
