Working with Jack Nicholson - One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest

[@BartHartful]

Jack has never gone half-in on a role in his life. Not even phoned in 1%. He's a true professional and a massive talent.

[@ferociousgumby]

I love how Christopher Lloyd and Danny DeVIto were COMPLETE unknowns in this film, played their supporting roles brilliantly, and then went on to be major stars. When I started seeing them in movies, I thought, gee, I thought this guy was in an institution.

[@donnamyers7274]

Did you know that Danny DeVito and Michael Douglas were roommates in NYC in the 1960's when they first started acting! I think they even went to acting school together. Pretty cool!

[@imadequate3376]

@@donnamyers7274 that's really cool!

[@dLimboStick]

Danny Devito, Christopher Lloyd, and Brad Dourif, all relative unknowns who went on to be stars.

[@jsmall10671]

Danny and CHristopher were in the play

[@BiWesCrew]

I have to admire Michael Douglas after saving the book and original Intention to play McMurphy. being this young and havi g his family background as a factor on top he truly worked to the best outcome the project could have developed into. Over his carreer he constantly prove this ability when he took charge over production and key hiring.

[@mikeluke9404]

I am 63 and watched thousands of movies and this is still my favourite! Magnificent beyond believe. Perfection in every aspect. I love it like breathing.

[@Lavender_Cordle]

The role of Nurse Ratched was made for Louise Fletcher; she was dynamite and DESERVED that Oscar. Love her.

[@sloop3720]

mandiscorpio yeah if any actor or actress can make me have genuine HATRED towards a character they're doing a good job.

[@alexives9274]

had a teacher like her in school we always called her nurse ratched she never seen the movie I think cus she didn't get it.

[@peanutheadslickerthanbadjo9740]

@Dean Wayne no you don't

[@grovermarchand3282]

Iconic

[@leonardturner1136]

first time I saw the movie audience was clapping when Mcmurphy was throttling her,great movie

[@adamtarleton1537]

Louise Fletcher was great in this movie and complimented Jack perfectly. She was quite deserving of her Oscar.

[@keneutervalve9459]

Quite a striking woman as well.

[@paperchain1239]

Jack Nicholson is the master here. Finest piece of acting in my 50+ years I have ever seen.

[@Harlem55]

Indeed, it was- Though this is also an example of how his subordinates fed into his character in a way that enhanced the final product. It was just as much Danny Divito, Brad Dourif, Christopher Lloyd, William Redfield, and the others that made Jack shine in the role. Essentially- ask yourself what would it have been if anyone else had played any of the other parts? Rather, there's a chemistry in how characters interact with each other on set that you can't ever reproduce- no matter how skilled you are.

[@chrise8275]

Jack Nicholson’s Oscar was deserving for this role, I’m glad he got it. Every Oscar this movie won was deserving easily the best film of 1975.

[@petergrundy8081]

My number 1 movie just because it is so well acted and filmed the screenplay everything

[@mrkeno1000]

if there was ever a film that deserved all the top awards it is Cuckoos Nest kudos to the academy you got it right

[@TheVanillatech]

Read the book in English class when I was 14 or so. The teacher was brilliant he showed the movie to the class after we'd finished our essays. I bought it on VHS the following week with my pocket money.

[@Nautilus1972]

I love the Chief. The Chief was like his spirit. His body stayed inside, but the spirit is freed at the end.

[@poppyadams8976]

You should read the book. It's written from the perspective of Chief, which is why in a lot of shots during the movie, you'll see Chief observing from a corner.

[@aleebimm]

wow that is deep ive not thought of it that way before brilliant

[@JohnnyBGood11]

@@poppyadams8976 I never knew that thanks

[@sallyrickerson9139]

Chief was my favorite.

[@TheVanillatech]

@@sallyrickerson9139 Imagine the size of his pecker...

[@clorpy897]

what a brilliant actor

[@douglasneill7562]

This is my favorite movie

[@jsmall10671]

Loved the detail about the nurse's first name and her reaction

[@daddyhorne4575]

This film is my favourite film. This is the greatiest movie of all time. Made in 1975 and so well written and with actors playing such terrific parts, it would stand up in todays current age of movies and beat them all hands down. Brilliant from Michael Douglas who i never knew until today produced this movie.

[@ddbears3686]

One of my favorites

[@tiffsaver]

Can you even imagine this film without Jack?? He didn't PLAY McMurphy, he WAS McMurphy.

[@billypoppins9138]

Jim Carrey is going to be lead in the 2021 version..

[@Dreamskater100]

@@billypoppins9138 Really?

[@nelliesnose5648]

You know he was good when you hear R.P. McMurphy and immediately think of him and not the big, red-headed man with the tattoos described in the book

[@Dermot2927]

Yes, Ariane Grande as Nurse Ratched and Robert Pattinson as Chief Bromden.. I'm stoked!

[@budbinner2276]

tiffsaver well said!! 👏 this is my fav movie

[@crsmith9988]

One of the best movies I have seen.

[@melsteffano6189]

He was that man. No better choice.

[@alexmanoukas1096]

yea...crack

[@alexhazen662]

Brando would have been interesting

[@joemarshall4226]

@Charles Chuck No. McMurphy isn't primarily a tough guy...he's a fun-loving guy. He's a party monster, and a natural leader of men, because he makes everyone feel good about themselves.....and Nurse Ratchett can't understand it, because that's what she wants to do...that's what she is allegedly trained to do, but she's really in a system designed to emasculate men.....

[@rondy702]

Joe Marshall Very good analogy!

[@llamamanism]

Perfect film perfectly cast

[@davidevans3175]

Michael Douglas's younger brother Eric was my friend at The Institute of Living (IOL), a private psych hospital in Hartford, CT at the time this movie was being made. Occasionally Michael and his dad Kirk would come to visit him. One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest was released the same day Eric was released from the hospital. The movie is incredibly accurate. I have to believe some of the research for the film was done at the IOL. Eric and I stayed friends for many years until he passed away in 2004.

[@MrChinchilla_hn]

Great input, thank you.

[@curtisnixon5313]

You know that Ken Kesey wrote the book 'One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest' after his experience of working as a psych assistant at Menlo Park hospital in California? I guess that the Douglas's experience of having a son and brother who has a psych condition gave them empathy for similar people as portrayed in the play and movie.

[@RichR65Ct]

I think the place your talking about is near Hartford Hospital.

[@malafakka8530]

@Snaggle Toothed i haven't read those books but you can add The Godfather to that list.

[@malafakka8530]

@Snaggle Toothed I think getting more information does not equal better. It is a good read, but parts of the book that were left out really weren't necessary for the movie to work.

[@jamestcallahanphotographer]

Jack’s just brilliant...and all of his co-actors in this film. Incredible cast and talent.

[@flashtheoriginal]

Fascinating insight. Thanks for posting

[@chrishorn855]

Jack Nicholson is... Quite simply the greatest actor of all time...

[@MrUndersolo]

One of those examples of perfect casting!

[@p28-e7j]

Michael Douglas has done many terrific films. Great actor. I used to love him in the Streets of San Francisco too. But the best thing he ever did was get this movie to the screen.

[@anthonym0vdo132]

The film is a Masterpiece.

[@NxDoyle]

You can say all you want about how good an actor is and why, but here we have more than that. We have an actor so generous that he went out of his way to 'play' with his on-screen colleagues to help them give the best performances. That's serving the story, a rare and great hallmark of a rare and great performer.

[@ianwatson3315]

an amazing film,all the actors who played the patients deserved an Oscar

[@creamcheese1048]

Jack Nicholson is up there with Spenser Tracy. You can't get better than these two gifted actors.

[@TheVanillatech]

Daniel Day Lewis beats everyone by a country mile. Brando second but Nicholson and Duvall are right up there.

[@tylermankins2960]

"By the time we filmed the scene, he had me so mad, we didn't need to reherse." I love this

[@abderrahimabderrahim6659]

lol

[@strutherhill]

A great film with a great team, espedially Jack, of course.

[@scotthullinger9955]

Great actor. Shitty person. That's Jack Nicholson.

[@abderrahimabderrahim6659]

@@scotthullinger9955 really?

[@scotthullinger9955]

@@abderrahimabderrahim6659 - Yup.

[@Harlem55]

The real award here goes to Louise Fletcher- Without the substrate Jack would have had nothing.

[@rurosy]

Jack is a genius. Pure Genius.

[@monikacabadajova6514]

I love the book and I love the movie. Milos Forman was fantastic genius director and Jack Nicholson is one of the best actors ever, with huge charizma. I love Him. Nobody can play like Jack Nicholson, he is only one of the kind.

[@shawnpowell9506]

One of the greatest films ever.

[@PhiloPommier]

The intense natural charisma,is creativity and not taking himself seriously thanks jack.

[@justinhopper5941]

One of my favourite movies. A film you can rewatch again and again and still love. I just wish they made movies like this still.

[@TheVanillatech]

Spiderman Flew Over The Marvel Nest

[@bandelay2134]

One flew east, one flew west, one flew over the cuckoo's nest.

[@Marlondurran]

Classic movie and brilliant cast..

[@cynthiaennis3107]

This was great to learn. Thanks! Jacks quite a character on & off screen!

[@pamlyles8905]

I can't imagine anyone else playing the same part in this movie. It wouldn't have been the same. Without Jack, it wouldn't have been a success.

[@Harlem55]

Just to think it could have been Marlon Brando.

[@brooklynboogie1405]

Honestly I could’ve seen Burt Reynolds playing the part know that they mentioned it 🤷🏽‍♂️

[@RonWylie-gk5lc]

Everywhere you look in this film you see genius actors giving incredible performances, I cant imagine it being the same if any one of them was replaced, just like the Godfather. It's not often but every now and again we are privileged to see perfect art onscreen

[@stevechandler9949]

Best movie I've ever seen, fullstop.

[@tojo4]

Watched this movie again last night (over 20 times for me). It gets better every time

[@sharanderson8083]

tojo4 I was so effected by it that I couldn’t watch it again...it has been so long and it was such a great movie, I think I could watch it now...

[@sh230968]

I have watched this movie more number of times than the grains of sand on an average sized beach. I plan to take my viewings to match grains of sand on 25 large sized beaches.

[@PhiloPommier]

Jack nicholson was a very lucky man and everybody who help him are proud of him,lucky jack.

[@abderrahimabderrahim6659]

who helped him?

[@1wannabee1]

If any1 wants to talk 'classics'? THIS just HAS to be up there with the rest of them. Absolutely Fabulous.

[@givemespan1]

Simply master of Masters Jack Nicholson

[@Hugatree1]

“I never knew if he was crazy or sane.” Exactly!

[@stuartburnett351]

Fave film of all time funny,sad,serious greatest ensemble acting ever.genius

Jack Nicholson more screen presence than any other actor. Total genius.

[@yankee2666]

Says who - you?

[@mattbaetz]

this is amazing cause Jack is the man but also love! the use of Bela Fleck in the sound track of this video.

[@PeterMercedesSL550]

Jack Nicholson brilliant acting and improvisation of his own really got into the character classic movie

[@CounterNerd]

There's such a dynamic between the actors that they never even come across as actors to you. It isn't often you see a movie and you forget you're watching a movie.

[@joemarshall4226]

Christopher, Lloyd, the guy who played Mancini, and Danny DeVito did exceptional work.....they were so believable.....

[@81720M]

My all time favorite actor and one of my inspirations. Very interesting video.

[@petar1008]

Good old times when movies were about reality we live in.

[@ancietman]

My all time favourite film.

[@snidepete5700]

As good as it gets! Jack's best and most revealing role! imo of course. 8-)

[@refundmystolentaxes5407]

Yesssss

[@mickroyster6442]

What about Chinatown

[@jesuschristpose896]

Brillant, brilliant film, one of the best films ever, outstanding acting by all.

[@pessia61]

God, what a film.

[@ginafriend1690]

Jack was the Best Man In The Business! ❤⭐❤

[@AlaskanAndie]

Nobody could do that movie but Jack!!! Not Burt or anyone else!!! Movies that make a huge impact on people all have at least one character that touches every single person watching! These roles stay in our hearts and memories forever! It's a connection, a bond and you can feel it deeply! I think everyone loving Jack so much was because of his fun rebellious nature!!! He said things others wanted to say but couldn't find the courage... and he did things people only dreamed of!!! HE WAS EVERYONE'S ESCAPE!?!

[@kenlyneham4105]

Great actors draw the best out of everyone.

[@jackmackenzie2482]

Proud to say that Jack and I share 2 things in common! 1-Name’s the same!! 2- He’s a Fellow New Jersey Guy! Dug Jack in Anything he did!! He’s one of the few actors who the part he plays encompasses him and not the other way around!! An Extraordinary Personality!! Stay Cool as You Are Jack!! Signed, Jack!!

[@quietside3734]

I thoroughly recommend the special edition DVD, which includes a brief but excellent documentary about the film (the segment above is included). I've watched many DVD extras over the years, but the mini documentary about this film is so wonderful, I often watch it on its own, for the enjoyment.

[@zahrah997]

Love how jack keeps everyone on their toes Talk about unpredictable smart actor

[@MyMy-zi7yv]

I was mesmerized by Jack's performance, I thought at the time, and still do think it was the greatest performance of all time until I took about the 3rd viewing of Gary Cooper in "High Noon" and changed my mind.

[@CyberJuanito]

What a genius Jack is.

[@midnightrider7648]

One of my favorite movies of all time. I remember reading an article decades ago where they labeled Nicholson's character in this movie as an "anti-hero". I didn't know exactly what the definition of that meant but i knew it fit mcmurphy perfectly. To this day i like to think of myself as a bit of an anti-hero thanks to that character.

[@smitbar11]

Jack Nicholson and Louise Fletcher were the consummate double act, that is why the film was such a blockbuster

[@karen81986]

Jack was amazing

[@janefurlan286]

Hes so funny always makes me laugh,my 2nd husband had that type of persona,very rare. Just love him.

[@Dreamskater100]

Is he still your 2nd husband?!

[@chotho4718]

@@Dreamskater100 her new one is her 5th one

[@emiltoutou1]

@@chotho4718 lol..ugot me pissing on me

[@TonyEnglandUK]

Jack Nicholson is the kind of actor they'll be showing clips of fifty years from now.

[@joemarshall4226]

100

[@carolcrompton3934]

My favourite actor

[@alexmanoukas1096]

only because of crack!

[@tombovitale2597]

Jack Nicholson was a unique actor lots of people could not do what he did. I swear I watch Lifetime movies Hallmark movies at these young actors today are so boring they put me to sleep I can't even watch the movie and no way could they ever another be a Jack Nicholson again I look at the Young Generation today trying to act and move them in movies yes they got the hot gorgeous looks guys and girls but they are so boring they put you to sleep I got no Talent at all Jack had the best talent and he was quite a looker in his young years and grew up to be a handsome man still we need more actors like that get rid of these boring actors I don't care how good looking they are

[@pipeandslippersman]

fascinating clip. lots of great info. the louise fletcher anecdote is worth the price of admission alone. quite proud that i noticed that flush on her face after the 'mildred' line when i first saw the movie over 30 years ago! one thing i would've REALLY LIKED TO HAVE SEEN, though: hackman as mcmurphy... wow. i'm going to be fantasizing about that from now on! not only (like kirk) would resemble closer the mcmurphy of the book, but his particular style would've meant for even MORE intensity...

[@nemo227]

Looking back, it seems pretty clear that they could not have made a better choice than Jack Nicholson. I'd call it perfect casting all around.

[@1TheStep]

The scene on the train is my favorite of all time

[@russellcampbell9198]

Casting is 90% of stage or screen. Jack was the man for the job.

[@HCBMD]

So right about casting Of topic, so was the choice for Charles Bronson “harmonica”in once upon a time in the west!

[@markhagen7719]

Burt Reynolds??!! Thank God that never happened.

[@waynedurning8717]

Burt is way underrated.

[@jimgallagher5902]

Thank God Mark is a moron so we can all ignore his comment. Try watching "Deliverance" and saying that, you moron.

[@joemarshall4226]

@@jimgallagher5902 Burt was great in Deliverance, and several other movies, but Jack was the man for Cuckoo's Nest.

[@Dermot2927]

Put another way, thank God Jack DID happen. I'm sure Burt would have done a good job, but I don't think OFOTCN would be the iconic movie it is without Jack's performance.

[@Mike1614YT]

you never know

[@chrisiverzen]

incredible actor.... the shining is a haunting and captivating movie

[@MapleSyrupPoet]

Jack has had a monumental acting career...name your kid Jack...solid name 😎

[@justinhackstadt6677]

*Thumps under the desk vigorously* "I'm completely bonkers!" 😆 🤣

[@lookmagazine2667]

My all time favourite movie - I wasn't the same person after watching it....for better or worse I'm not certain!

[@Sameoldfitup]

"We are each our own devil, and we make this world our hell." Oscar Wilde.

[@princeavinashmishra421]

Jack Nicholson said once to actor Aaron Eckhart- you see! I don't make movies..I make classics!! Damn he was right

[@frznfrzn8924]

Nurse ratchet was the most evil villain of all time! And she did it only with facial expressions

[@kunalandshorya]

I can watch anything related to jack the Nicholson sir❤️

[@crunchhardtack6514]

Big props need to go to the author, Ken Kesey. He also wrote, "Sometimes A Great Notion", starring Paul Newman, Henry Fonda, and Michael Sarazin. Kesey was a genius at developing the nuance of scene and dialogue.

[@makkonenpaavo4675]

Absolutely. Great actors can make something out of nothing but with writing like his it's one for the ages. "Kesey's interest in altered consciousness led him to accept a position in a mental hospital. While the job allowed him ample opportunity to write uninterrupted, it also introduced him to several individuals who would serve as models for characters in One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest." From Ken Kesey Biography @Cliffnotes

[@mminlamesa1032]

I miss Jack-he was fantastic

[@vincentpriceless9606]

MMinLamesa ! I wish he'd make another movie but it seems he's retired. Can't blame him though

[@alexmanoukas1096]

he's still alive ......

[@Bhatt_Hole]

This comment section: Jack is a genius. Pure Genius. He was made for this part. I can't imagine anyone else in that role. This is when they still made real movies. Just copy/paste one of those, and save yourselves all that tedious thinking.

[@henrytheeightheist8091]

With a comment like yours,you should consider changing your username to Butt Hole.......

[@CPWindsorsub]

Anyone else notice at 3:08 the camera panned a bit too far (or Jack moved to his right too far) and got part of the set crew in the frame?

[@alexmanoukas1096]

maybe

[@JonSmith-cx7gr]

Love this film. It is one of the things which inspired me to be committed to a mental asylum indefinitely.

[@samaragale5141]

the greatest movie ever !

[@marissabones]

I'll be watching this movie again tonight

[@cynthiaennis3107]

Normally, when someone undergoes ECT, they don’t remember much, from my experience driving a friend to & from a hospital to have this done. So...that he remembers her name at all is quite remarkable! (My friend couldn’t remember her fiancé’s name & I used to have to tell her after each “treatment,” If you want to call it that.)

[@robfield-n7v]

Jack Nicholson is the best actor of all time

[@mickfoley7410]

Classic

[@vgerlightningsarason8897]

Hilarious Jack, happy mother's birthday, as crazy as you will always be, we really, really love you dude. "HAPPY BIRTHDAY GOLDEN EAGLE".

[@mortimerzilch2608]

Nurse Ratchett is definitely one of the movieland's ALL TIME VILLIANS! got Darth Vader beat in my book.

[@Nautilus1972]

The little nurse was hot AF.

[@Harlem55]

@AWelsh Celt The difference is that The Ratched character haunts you because of the humanity of it- Darth Vader is nothing BUT science fiction- it could never be real, thus it lacks a certain dimension of acting that can never be obtained for the character.

[@1qwasz12]

I wish there were interviews with Louise Fletcher on youtube.

[@Harlem55]

indeed- I think this was as much HER movie as it was Jack Nicholson's movie. Without her, the movie just couldn't have worked out anywhere close to the way it did.