The Big Five Oscars
The film became the second movie to win all five major Academy Awards, following It Happened One Night in 1934.
Movie
One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest
In this clean, orderly, disciplined world, who needs guys like McMurphy? Everybody.
A petty criminal fakes insanity to serve his sentence in a mental ward rather than prison. He soon finds himself as a leader to the other patients—and an enemy to the cruel, domineering nurse who runs the ward.
Why it's in the Vault
One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest is a celebrated psychological drama that explores freedom, conformity and institutional authority through the patients of a psychiatric hospital. Miloš Forman favors observation and character interactions over conventional dramatic momentum, allowing tensions to develop gradually within the ward's rigid daily routines. Jack Nicholson brings mischievous charisma and rebellious energy to Randle McMurphy, while Louise Fletcher creates a quietly intimidating presence as Nurse Ratched. The performances and the film's critique of coercive authority remain compelling, although its deliberate pacing and repetitive institutional routines can make the experience feel unusually long or emotionally distant. Much of its dramatic force comes from small confrontations rather than constant narrative developments, a choice that may not resonate equally with every viewer. A historically significant and superbly acted work whose measured storytelling is as distinctive as it can be demanding.
— Matty, Curator of the Vault
Atmosphere
Oppressive, rebellious, observational, unsettling, bittersweet
Psychological tension
Rebellious spirit
Narrative pace
Emotional intensity
Contains psychiatric institutionalization, coercive treatment, electroconvulsive therapy, lobotomy, suicide, physical violence, sexual references, strong language and distressing depictions of mental illness.
Dans les coulisses
Ce qu'on ne voit pas à l'écran
An Actual Psychiatric Hospital
Filming took place at Oregon State Hospital in Salem, with real facilities and staff contributing to the production.
A Novel by Ken Kesey
The original 1962 novel tells the story through Chief Bromden's perspective, unlike the film's more external approach.
Kirk Douglas's Long Campaign
Douglas starred in a stage adaptation and pursued a film version before his son Michael helped bring the project to the screen.
Louise Fletcher's Breakthrough
Nurse Ratched became Fletcher's defining role and earned her the Academy Award for Best Actress.
An Early Ensemble of Future Stars
Brad Dourif, Danny DeVito and Christopher Lloyd appear among the patients, before several of their later famous roles.
Aux origines
Adapted from Ken Kesey's 1962 novel One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest
Palette
Les couleurs du film
Institutional Green#789081
Ward White#E3E1D6
Muted Hospital Blue#819AA1
Concrete Grey#858783
Rebellious Rust#A45F45
Shadow Charcoal#343B39
Images
