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Year One
Stars indicate the most critically-acclaimed movies.
One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest
Generally favorable reviews
Based on 7 critic reviews
How did we calculate this?
Based on 26 votes
Read user comments
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Movie Info
Genre(s): Drama
Written by:
Ken Kesey (novel)
Bo Goldman
Lawrence Hauben
Directed by: Milos Forman
Release Date:
Theatrical: November 19, 1975
DVD: September 24, 2002
Running Time: 133 minutes, Color
Origin: USA
Summary
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.)
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Also On The Web: Internet Movie Database Official Studio Site
What The Critics Said
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...
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 >USA Today Mike Clark
A masterpiece. (9 Jan 1998, p.3D)
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.
Read Full Review >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.
Read Full Review >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.
Read Full Review >What Our Users Said
The average user rating for this movie is 7.8 (out of 10) based on 26 User Votes
Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.
Jay H. gave it a10:
This is an amazing film. Milos Foreman does a brilliant job directing it. Jack Nicholson gives one of his finest performances of his career, Louise Fletcher does a sensational job as Nurse Ratchet. She manages to be a cold butch and to have a human side too. One of the best films from the 1970's. Every cast member is great.
caporegime gave it a10:
They don't make this kind of movies anymore. Every single cast is awesome. One of the best movies of all time.
Matt A gave it a10:
Cinematic gold. enough said.
Wes M gave it a10:
One of the few allegorical films I've ever seen that hasn't pissed me off; Jack Nicholson's first great role and career launcher -- woot.
Sheneka B gave it an8:
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.
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.
