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One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest
Warner Bros.

7.7 based on 7 reviews Read critic reviews How did we calculate this? based on 25 votes Read user comments Rate this movie

FILM:

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• The People vs. Larry Flynt
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• Internet Movie Database
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MPAA RATING: R

Starring Jack Nicholson, Louise Fletcher, William Redfield, Brad Dourif, Danny DeVito, Christopher Lloyd, Will Sampson, and William Duell

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 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.)

GENRE(S):	Drama
WRITTEN BY:	Ken Kesey (novel) Bo Goldman Lawrence Hauben
DIRECTED BY:	Milos Forman
RELEASE DATE:	DVD: September 24, 2002  Video: March 13, 2001  Theatrical: November 19, 1975
RUNNING TIME:	133 minutes, Color
ORIGIN:	USA

The film was nominated for 9 Academy Awards in 1976 and won Oscars in the categories of Best Picture, Best Actor (Nicholson), Best Actress (Fletcher), Best Director (Forman), and Best Adapted Screenplay.

All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...

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.

100

USA Today Mike Clark

A masterpiece. (9 Jan 1998, p.3D)

100

Variety Staff (Not credited)

Brilliant cinema theatre.

80

TV Guide Staff (Not credited)

Jarring and electrifying drama.

75

Chicago Sun-Times Roger Ebert

So good in so many of its parts that there's a temptation to forgive it when it goes wrong. But it does go wrong, insisting on making larger points than its story really should carry, so that at the end, the human qualities of the characters get lost in the significance of it all. And yet there are those moments of brilliance.

70

Chicago Reader Dave Kehr

This slick and entertaining 1975 film of Ken Kesey's cult novel will inevitably disappoint admirers of director Milos Forman's earlier work.

70

The New York Times Vincent Canby

A comedy that can't quite support its tragic conclusion, which is too schematic to be honestly moving, but it is acted with such a sense of life that one responds to its demonstration of humanity if not to its programmed metaphors.

The average user rating for this movie is 7.7 (out of 10) based on 25 User Votes
Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.

Alex B. gave it a5:
This coulda shoulda and woulda been one of the best American movies ever made if the idiots Bo Goldman and Lawrence Hauben actually knew how to adapt while staying true to one of the best American novels of the 20th century.

Matthias M. gave it a10:
Just Perfect.

Dan G. gave it a10:
A brilliant blend of humor, tragedy, drama and social commentary. Great moments abound, with Jack Nicholson's Randal P. McMurphy being the ringleader of non-comformity and Louise Fletcher's Nurse Ratched holding the iron fist of order.

Blake J. gave it a10:
A perfect 10. Christoper Lloyd and Danny DeVito shine. Nicholson buffs do not exist without seeing this film. Jack's finest job, by far. A spectacular adaptation of Ken Kesey's novel. R.P. is the protagonist of the movie, the Chief is the narrator of the book...and Nicholson's acting proves why this change was made. An Oscar seems like a minimal payment for the work he does on the screen in this film.

Mr. Hankey gave it a10:
One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest is an unusual movie adaptation that is adapted by a book by Ken Kesey with the same title. One the book was controversial and still is today because of the materials that the film deals with. But is considered a classic as well as the movie. The movie is a classic because the way Nicholson conceived R.P. McMurphy as he was acting. The movie was directed by Milos Forman who in my opinion is a fabulous director. [***SPOILERS***] The absurdity of it all may have been shocking because it was a ward and their were people with mental defeciencies that sometimes would lead to grave violence which is shown in the institution by the fights that take place. But it is understandable that the twist would lead to a friendship that may have been short but showed that way for someone who was trapped. The characters are lovable in every aspect. Chief is the deaf and dumb indian or so we think, Taber is the annoying yet risky nut, Harding or um... you know his nickname is the cautious and self-centered nut and R.P. McMurphy who supposably has nothing wrong with him. The movie started empty and ended up filled, One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest is a classic for every generation and will remain that way.

Andrew H. gave it a10:
Is it possible for a movie to be any better?

Erfoih P. gave it a10:
I wonder how they were able to have Nicholson say those words! Best language that uses the English film! It is very controversial.

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