Filmmaker reacts to One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest (1975) for the FIRST TIME

Hope you enjoy my filmmaker reaction to One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest. :D
Full length reactions & Patreon only polls: / jamesvscinema
Original Movie: One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest (1975)
Ending Song: / charleycoin
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*Copyright Disclaimer Under Section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for "fair use" for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing. Non-profit, educational or personal use tips the balance in favor of fair use. NO COPYRIGHT INFRINGEMENT INTENDED. All rights belong to their respective owners.

[@JamesVSCinema]

Damn, I'm loving these last few screenplays lately...! Want to vote on what I should watch next? Click here! www.patreon.com/jamesvscinema Revisiting Alien (the OG one) Friday! Enjoy the day!

[@jrobwoo688]

Another awesome screenplay, is the film Clerks. It was written, and directed, by Kevin Smith. Who had to max out credit cards and make a fraudulent insurance claim on his car, in order to make his film for an astonishing 27,000 dollars.

[@philshorten3221]

If you loved this mental disorder / issues check out Jack in "As Good As It Gets"

[@chrisbridgen2711]

1970s movies screenplays really tried to understand the human condition

[@TheBaconKing32]

Another similar great movie is Crazy People from 1990. Its vary funny and has some great quotes.

[@pawpaw__]

Easy Rider should be on your 'must watch" list

[@peeramidwithin3823]

Nurse Ratched is an often overlooked character when it comes to literary villains. As a result of the realistic chance these people exist, she’s arguably the scariest antagonist in cinema/literary history.

[@JamesVSCinema]

Exactly hence why I despised her character. Haha well acted tho!

[@johnfriday5169]

I think it was AFI voted Nurse Ratched the number one villain in movie history. This was many years ago. Atticus Finch was number one hero.

[@scottmoore1614]

She tops my list! Makes Darth Vader and the Wicked Witch of the West look like Santa Claus!

[@reesebn38]

@@scottmoore1614 But not Hans Gruber. He wouldn't even count to 3 with her. Lol

[@leob4403]

Ratchet isn't even much of a villain imo, Jack Nicholsons character acts like an *ss the entire movie so she's in the right mostly in her actions.

[@UncleAnaesthesia]

As a Native dude who loves film, I thik Will Sampson as Chief is one of the most under-stated and under-rated performances in film. Rest in power, legend!

[@ginfrench3350]

Thank you for your comment...that is very true, as far as this film goes. However...true fans of Will know about all the other, 24 plus movies, films, documentary's and TV series he masterfully did and fully appreciate his talent and sing his praises every chance they get. Aside from his stellar acting, Will was an award winning artist his entire life, a relentless advocate for the betterment if his people, and all Indigenous people, and in 1983 he founded and was the director of "The Native American Registery For the Performing Arts"...an organization that connected directors and producers to nationwide Native actors to be hired to play Native roles in upcoming movies. That L.A. based agency is still operating to this day. Yaa'te'eh...Will "Sonny" Sampson!!!

[@UncleAnaesthesia]

@@ginfrench3350 Hey Gin, nice seeing ya again.

[@ginfrench3350]

@@UncleAnaesthesia OMG....I remember you now. If course you know all about Sonny. Nice to chat with you again anyway.

[@Faerie_Kim]

He's awesome. Love him.

[@youyeedyourlasthaw]

the book is from his pov too, it's pretty good

[@iulia.bianca.b]

My take on this movie is that McMurphy completely redeemed himself by defending these men, teaching them how to stand up for themselves, giving them some moments of joy and friendship. What Chief did to him in that last scene was a true act of love for a lost friend. He knew McMurphy was no longer there, and he set him free from a vegetative state and a shell of what was once a free spirited man and a man full of life ❤️ McMurphy gave him the courage to leave, and he freed him in return 😞

[@johnsensebe3153]

Chief also prevented everyone else from seeing McMurphy like that, which would have undone what McMurphy had done.

[@schnubbel76]

@Miles Doyle Sick preaching lunatic, take your medicine please

[@nellievaughn7755]

McMurphy didn't need redemption. He was a complicated but good person before entering the asylum.

[@iulia.bianca.b]

@@nellievaughn7755 Well, kinda... They did talk about him being involved with a minor... Not an entirely innocent person. But he did get his redemption, in the end.

[@user-ll2yj3hy4c]

She was fantastic in the movie.

[@atlatin417]

This film won the big 5 Oscars, picture, director, actor, actress, and writing! Btw, love how you analyze movies from a filmmaker point of view from acting to cinematography to set design, very refreshing from all the garbage out there!

[@JamesVSCinema]

That’s what I hope separates this channel from the rest!! Thank you!

[@ianh6845]

Only two other movies garnered those awards: 'Silence of the Lambs' (1991) and 'It Happened One Night' (1934).

[@AlexG1020]

He knows his shit too not just pure technical filmmaking but knows good storytelling and how deep meaning can get. One movie that has similar humanity themes to this, and is also set in a mental institution is the Robert Deniro and Robin Williams movie Awakenings.

[@erikchristensen822]

@@ianh6845 Good trivia question for a moviephile.

[@jannathompson2262]

@@ianh6845 American Beauty won the Big Five also;)

[@txf4]

A really cool detail: Danny Devitos character, Martini, was an air force pilot whose plane crashed into the ocean. As a general habit but particularly when the tension in the room begins to rise, he sits up on top of his chair, instinctively trying to escape the rising water like he did during his crash. Looking forward to watching, always happy to see a video from you bro

[@rustincohle2135]

I guess it's good thing for Danny DeVito that they didn't cover that information about Martini's character in the film, otherwise he wouldn't have been cast because at 4'10'', DeVito is too short to play an Air Force pilot.

[@thegirlinquestion]

I too saw that tiktok video lmao

[@txf4]

@@thegirlinquestion dang I didn't even know that got shared into a tiktok haha I saw it from his GQ interview about his most iconic characters

[@thegirlinquestion]

@@txf4 haha oh swear down? well fair enough… good to share I guess 😊

[@kchdbdshabib9360]

Holly shit! Eu não sabia dessa! Nunca li o livro pra saber disso. Agora me sinto na obrigação de conhecer os detalhes dessa obra maravilhosa. Muito obrigado por esta informação. Esse filme é o meu preferido since 1996 quando assisti a primeira vez com minha mãe. Eu tinha 5 anos.

[@dustinsavage2832]

Haven't seen this movie in near 20 years, but the scene that has ALWAYS stuck with me is Mac trying to lift the water fountain and his scathing response to all the onlookers "At least I tried"

[@brittyn]

Note: this is based on a book of the same name by Ken Kesey, who worked as an orderly in a mental hospital. I believe a lot of the characters/events are based on people and things he witnessed.

[@JamesVSCinema]

Noted!

[@susiestone5644]

Plus, in the book, the story is told through the "Chief"'s eyes. sounds "crazy" but Ken Kesey Hated this movie version of his story.

[@johnortmann3098]

@@susiestone5644 Absolutely, and rightly so. They destroyed it. Kesey said watching the movie was like watching his baby daughter get raped.

[@murrayroodbaard207]

@@johnortmann3098 You're too personally attached to the book. You need to see the movie as its own entity so you can appreciate it more. Literature and movies are not the same.

[@cobbycaputo3332]

@@susiestone5644 and because of the Chief's mental condition, it's a classic example of the unreliable narrator in American fiction.

[@gunnarnorton1330]

No matter how many times I see this film, the ending just makes me burst into tears. Such a powerful experience seeing Chief break free and live for the both of them.

[@jimtatro6550]

The final 15 minutes of this movie destroyed my 10 year old heart in 1977 which was when I saw it for the first time. I have been a huge Jack Nicholson and Brad Douriff fan since. Great film, great reaction James.👍

[@JamesVSCinema]

Appreciate you Jim haha, I can almost see that imagery haha

[@jack_rabbit]

people be sleeping on brad dourif man... he is just an incredible actor. his performance in Wiseblood is one for all time. what a fuckin movie.

[@conureron3792]

Such a fun loving movie, up until that crushing ending.

[@Jem640]

@@jack_rabbitHe’s also great in The Exorcist III, Deadwood, and The X-Files season 1 episode “Beyond the Sea”! And of course the Chucky franchise, Dourif’s got so much range

[@laurenherda2415]

In my top 3 films of all time. The acting was just beautiful, I cry everytime. Brad Dourif is super underrated. Nurse Rachett's hair always reminds of devil horns, could be intentional they did it that way, very clever

[@AlexG1020]

Brad Dourif in The Exorcist 3 always gets tons of praise. But I loved him the most in Deadwood, that dude can act!

[@captainpungent]

Love how Brad got his Chucky voice from knowing Jack.

[@jerrycalhounjerryleecalhou4192]

JAMES I COULDNT STOP LAUGHING WHEN YOU SAID THAT GUY BRICKED THAT SHOT, I WAS CRACKING UP TO.

[@anthonygallop290]

Subtle things like that is what makes the movie hilarious Like saying hit me with twenty showing The orderly pulling the two beds apart "What the hell is going on here" Tabor having a murderous look then bursting into laughter then back to serious Thurkle shouting for everybody to get out "you fukkin up my job!!" Martini shouting Miss Ratchet !! and so many others

[@Uncle_T]

An amazing movie with phenomenal acting all around and some familiar faces among the patients. It was actually shown for over 10 years straight in cinemas in Stockholm.

[@JamesVSCinema]

That’s badass!

[@charlesallen2306]

The cast is top notch!

[@franciscojosebrc]

The guy from The Shining was Scatman Crothers. He was Jack's close friend. In those years, Jack always requested a rol for his friend. They also worked together in The King of Marvin Gardens.

[@elbruces]

He was also Hong Kong Fooey.

[@jackoconnor2451]

This might be my favourite film of all time. I watched it with my dad for the first time when I was 17. My dad and I aren't really that close and don't agree on a lot of things but one thing we can agree on is that we adore Jack Nicholson's work. For 2 hours and 13 mins, my dad and I forgot about any past grievances we had with each other and simply sat back and enjoyed one of the best films of all time.

[@MichaelJGrady-lz4in]

If you want to continue on the road Shawshank and One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest has put you on, I recommend Cool Hand Luke. The scenario, the themes, and the message are similar enough to continue this feeling and different enough to provide new insights.

[@paulstroud2647]

Agreed, and how about 'Papillon'? Incredible performances from Steve McQueen and Dustin Hoffman.

[@Bjjbhcoa86]

Oh man, Paul Newman. My favourite actor.

[@BeCoShooter]

Brubaker is an overlooked prison film. It stars Robert Redford as the "New" Warden.

[@blytheguy7510]

Good call. LUKE is an amazing film.

[@HawkKing2000]

Cool Hand Luke was so good. I need to see it again soon...

[@loop6900]

This was shot at Oregon state hospital, and many of the extras are real patients. love this film

[@TReynard11]

I'm so glad you're doing classic dramatic good deep films. It's such a pleasure to see someone reacting to Amadeus, Chinatown, Harold and Maude, etc.

[@sarabrucker7847]

Jack Nicholson doesn’t always act his ass off but when he does, it’s amazing. His half assed work is merely excellent lol

[@JamesVSCinema]

He’s pretty damn brilliant whenever he taps in!

[@sarabrucker7847]

@@jimmy2k4o Ooh haven’t seen that. He really impressed me in About Schmidt partially because the character was so different.

[@scottmoore1614]

Nicholson is arguably the greatest actor who ever appeared on the silver screen. This film is proof of that.

[@NativeNewMexican]

@@jimmy2k4o I still think McMurphy is his best acting.

[@murrayroodbaard207]

@@jimmy2k4o Sorry but that doesn't even figure into his top 5 performances. Not that it's his fault because the role simply wasn't that challenging for an actor of his stature.

[@brgreg8725]

1975 is just one of those great movie years: Cuckoos Nest, Dog Day, Jaws, Barry Lyndon, Monty Python Holy Grail, Rollerball, 3 Days of Condor, Rocky Horror, Cooley High, Nashville. Shampoo. Nicholson and Pacino both had their best performances. It’s almost impossible to like Louise Fletcher after watching this. That’s a testament as to how damn good she is in it.

[@parsasadri8015]

James, you are a legend for listening to everyone's suggestions. Looking forward to finishing this video 🙌

[@JamesVSCinema]

All love to y’all!!

[@LockeDemosthenes2]

Milos Forman is SUCH an underrated director. One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, Amadeus, and Man on the Moon are all near perfect movies imo, he should really be a household name.

[@rabbitandcrow]

And Hair, The Fireman's Ball and Ragtime!

[@Quasarcool]

Louise Fletcher played one of the best "villains" in history such an interesting character. Everyone that watches this hates nurse Ratched.

[@sarabrucker7847]

It’s campy af but she’s the main driving force in the Flowers in the Attic movie. Faye Dunaway as Joan Crawford eat your heart out

[@dnish6673]

@@jimmy2k4o There was an origin series a couple years ago, but not by the author of this novel.

[@natanlopes4000]

This movie has one of the best cast ever assembled in cinema history

[@tree6787]

One of my favorite scenes in this whole movie is when they're playing basketball and the chief is running back and forth ,the smile on his face is just so amazing he's so happy in that moment.

[@pateramat]

My man was calling all the spots before they happened! Well done! You had me with this review!

[@CrippledMerc]

You said something that really hit me in a profound way. At one point, talking about the nurse woman, you said, “My thing with her is that she’s just so lifeless. She doesn’t see them as human.” The reason that resonated is because last year I spent about a month in the hospital followed by 2 months in a skilled nursing facility, and you really do come across nurses and staff that are like that. Not all of them, but usually it’s the heads of the departments or the head nurses. The higher ups or sort of admin, if you will. And when you see these people behaving like that and they’re in a position where they’re supposed to be taking care of and looking out for those who can’t really do that for themselves, it’s incredibly infuriating and dehumanizing beyond whatever reason you’re in that situation for to begin with. I was in there as a new amputee so I couldn’t really get out of bed and do or get things for myself, and there were very few nurses who seemed to even care and sympathize a little bit, or at least attempt to convincingly fake it. But instead you’re treated like a burden as if it’s your own fault that you’re in that situation. It was so fucked and I couldn’t get out of there fast enough. Thankfully I had one nurse at each place I was at that I really genuinely connected with, so I knew I could always count on them as long as they were working, but they obviously couldn’t be in there working 24 hours a day everyday. There were times whenever those nurses were working when they’d just come hang out in my room and chat and bullshit with me whenever they didn’t have anything going on, and I really appreciated the company and feeling like I was just a normal person hanging out with a friend for a little while. They went above and beyond, while the majority of nurses can’t even manage to do the bare minimum. And they weren’t short staffed either, the other nurses apparently just had better things to do than take care of their patients. It’s a really shitty situation.

[@cathyvickers9063]

It must be nice to have been in one of the better places. I've been to the "shit hole" three times. The third time they were so disinterested in my physical disabilities that I left with my healing injured left shoulder *no longer healing* & in worse shape than when I'd arrived!

[@pencilquest9409]

Haven't watched yet, CANNOT WAIT. Please, James, watch Jodorowsky's The Holy Mountain. I need to hear your take! haha Love brother!

[@JamesVSCinema]

Hahaha noted brotha! Love ya too!

[@elsieoliver1671]

Oh heck yeh. El topo 2!

[@b.a.j5168]

Yes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I am currently re-reading his book

[@AlexG1020]

I feel like my entire life led up to The Holy Mountain when I watched it. If you're into psychedelics, astrology, Jungian archetypes, Buddhism, Hermeticism, etc. it encapsulates the process of enlightenment so well.

[@ranger-1214]

For us older guys, long before "Karens" was used as a perjorative there was a "Nurse Ratched" introduced into put downs. Props also to early Christopher Lloyd, Danny Devito, Will Sampson, and the great Scatman Crothers. Scatman also was not only a standout in The Shining but also The Shootist. RIP Mr. Scat

[@62salv]

Without any doubt one of the few absolutely perfect movies ever made!

[@kalandkarazor-el3088]

This movie hits me with so many different emotions, I'm not sure how to feel while watching and even when it's done I saw this as a young teenager and it really scared me that this can (and does) happen to people. You get stuck in a system or under a dictator-esque person and you literally have no escape or options. Amazing cast too, all so young

[@dukedude7460]

Another great reaction James. I watched this film at a young age, maybe too young, and the character of Randle McMurpy always stuck with me, so his fate left me in absolute tears. Thankfully the big homie got to bounce

[@JamesVSCinema]

Damn straight. Shoutout to big homie.

[@jimtatro6550]

“Juicy Fruit.” Best first line ever.👍

[@ginfrench3350]

That is so true!!! And fun fact..., Chief's second response was "you bet", when Mac asked if he could hear too. Will Sampson was allowed to improvise in that scene and chose to say "you bet" drawing out the word bet as if it had 5 or 6 e's in it, because that was Will's catch phrase. He always said "you beeeet" whenever he was in agreement with anything. Those of us who knew Sonny....(Will Sampson) find this scene especially endearing, as for a few moments Chief takes on Sonny's persona.

[@dinastanford7779]

Worked in a cinema when this came out. It was showing for 6 weeks and I think I memorised the script. Loved your reactions

[@timvanbaelen9797]

By the same director as Amadeus, Milos Forman. The People Vs Larry Flynt is a great film to do a reaction to too.

[@johnfriday5169]

I was surprised how good Larry Flynt was. Even Courtney Hole had a great performance.

[@centuryrox]

@@johnfriday5169 And don't forget Edward Norton's performance as Larry Flynt's lawyer.

[@johnfriday5169]

@@centuryrox well, Edward Norton is an outstanding actor. A great performance from him is expected. I'm pretty sure he'd done Primal Fear by this time. Courtney Hole on the other hand, that was a pleasant surprise. And don't get me wrong, I like Hole. Live Through This is a favorite of mine. But, it was a shocker to see her act and act well.

[@NetAndyCz]

The People Vs Larry Flynt is sucha great movie, cannot recommend it enough.

[@traceyreid4585]

This and Dog Day Afternoon are amongst your best film choices

[@NakedUnderMyClothes]

"You can't rob him of his joy, his freedom is in here [his head]." Guess again, James, ain't nothing sacred in the world. Love the vids, keep em coming. EDIT: Ah, damn, he guessed it 5 seconds later.

[@JamesVSCinema]

Hahaha all love brother 🙏🏽

[@AdamFishkin]

So glad that you were able to experience this film, James. You were quick to spot many of the spiritual moments that for me make this the pinnacle of what Hollywood can do when it presents life and people with genuine maturity. The battle between McMurphy and Nurse Ratched is cosmic. There's a time and place to neatly order the world in routines, but Ratched has taken it to a point of toxic stagnation with the human souls she governs inside those walls. McMurphy is (in a case of extreme irony) the force sent inside to restore balance. The lives of the patients need to be lived. The director and screenwriters set up a very realism-based atmosphere, but at the center you have two actors (Jack Nicholson and Louise Fletcher) who channel such larger-than-life power as to give the realistic setting (with no fancy VFX to speak of) an epic scope. I'll always love "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest".

[@BillsRule250]

This film never fails to illicit so much emotion out of me every time I watch it. It really is like unlike any other movie for me I’m not sure why that is but I love your interpretation of the movie. Keep it up!

[@stephaniethurmer5370]

There are rolls he plays I often question myself; is he acting or just being himself. Of all the amazing performances by Nicholson, Danny de Vito, Christopher Lloyd and everyone else, the character of Nurse Ratchett's performance was amaziing. I think she won an academy award for it as well but not sure

[@TTM9691]

Yes she did, Louise Fletcher. They both won, so did the movie (and the screenplay, and the film itself).

[@stephaniethurmer5370]

@@TTM9691 thank you for the confirmation

[@williamclarke3162]

Let me say: I love this movie a lot. I discovered this last year and it's so well-written & directed. The performances from Jack (who had to be on a run at this point in his career) and Louise Fletcher (portraying one of the best villains ever put to screen) are spectacular. Also fun fact: this was Chris Lloyd's (Doc Brown & Judge Doom) debut film!

[@hongfang2348]

Man, you got this movie better than anyone I've come across.

[@cashflowhustles]

Louise Fletcher also plays an excellent evil female character very similar to her Nurse Ratched portrayal on "Star Trek Deep Space Nine". Shout Out to my fellow Trekkies out there.

[@hausofash-zf8db]

I want to give you a hug every time I see you feeling for these characters in these hard to watch but exceptionally amazing films. Movies have always meant so much to me. Much more than anyone around me. And seeing another person feel what I felt and just show genuine humanity is so therapeutic for me.

[@brandonstarr983]

Amazing cast. You might recognize Billy, played by Brad Dourif, as the character Wormtongue from the Lord of the Rings films.

[@patrickmassonne1919]

So, did stints in (behavior health) 1995,2004, 2019. First time, just like this. Second time same, no smoking. Third time, they've come a loooong way. They treated me with dignity and kindness. Made all the difference in the world. I'm doin' great, please take care of the mentally ill. We feel, we love, we care. God Bless ya'll.

[@HobGungan]

The best show I ever performed in was a version of Cuckoo's Nest I did in 2019 (my troupe is predominantly neurodivergent and there had been talk by the presidential administration at the time about possibly trying to bring these kinds of horrific asylums back). It was closer to the book, where Chief Bromden was the POV character, and we used his hallucination/perspective of the hospital as a giant machine as an excuse to create the production design accordingly and turn all the characters into dieselpunk cyborgs. We won a bunch of local awards for it. I played Scanlon, the guy with the box, who in the book/play had the role and many of the lines of Christopher Lloyd's movie-only character here.

[@tonybennett4159]

It's amazing to think that Milos Forman directed this and Amadeus. He was such a talent who made too few movies.

[@jstube36]

Sadly the reality of mental Institutions, and Senior homes are nothing like they are portrayed on film. These places are hell for those incarcerated in them. This film does well in trying to convey some of that reality. But the conditions are much worse than that. The film is such genius. And the talent unmistakable. Especially a young Christopher Lloyd, and Danny DeVito before they starred together on TAXI(one of the best TV sit-coms ever). I would recommend a follow-up on this theme of institutions. I would highly recommend Escape From Alcatraz-1979(Clint Eastwood). Much like Shawshank. Escape From Alcatraz tells the story of a prison-break. And based on a true story. Well just a suggestion.

[@1205sdr]

When this film was released in 1975, it stirred the conscience of America about the plight of the mentally disabled. The political solution became the closing all institutions and sending the patients home to live. They did not count on the families that were incapable or unwilling to care for these patients. This led to America’s homeless problem. Politicians run the homeless out every 4 years and scream we need to do something about the homeless, but of course never do.

[@sardonicus1739]

@@1205sdr I'm glad someone brought up the effects of deinstitutionalization since so often people treat it like a big win that those places no longer exist while ignoring the reality of what really happened. People like to blame the homeless for all their problems while ignoring that they're often mentally ill people who society has pretty much abandoned. The average lifespan of a person living on the streets is 10 years, and are often the targets of violence. Institutions weren't great, but this is just inhumane, and puts the problem all back on the individual who people will claim are just lazy while ignoring the real issues of why people often become homeless isn't as black and white as they want to believe.

[@AlexG1020]

I love the minimal dialogue in Escape from Alcatraz. Saw that movie as a kid and absolutely loved it.

[@MrRondonmon]

The reason the field is shown first, then at the end with Chief is the book is from the chiefs perspective. The book is narrated by "Chief" Bromden, a gigantic yet docile half-Native American patient at a psychiatric hospital, who presents himself as deaf and mute. Bromden’s tale focuses mainly on the antics of the rebellious Randle Patrick McMurphy,

[@kingfield99]

You're in the 70's Golden Age of Hollywood movies right now.

[@stevenm.6886]

There were so many movies in the 60’s and 70’s about fighting the “system” . This one is so good, also Cool Hand Luke has that same idea. 5 Easy Pieces also with Nickleson. Was a definite mood back then.

[@AdanRivasV]

One of my all time favorites, such a beautiful but devastating ending, makes me cry every single time

[@garymeyer4243]

Based on the novel by Ken Kesey one of the best authors to come out of the 1960's, he worked for a time as an orderly at a mental institution in Oregon and loosely based on his experiences. Kesey also participated in the early US govt LSD experiments and the trippy parts of the novel were often written while he was 'under the influence', crazy stuff indeed. He said LSD gave him an insight into the mind of the insane. Nurse Ratched is still one of my most hated villains in cinema, great take on the movie James!

[@tugwinthrop7424]

Great review of an iconic film. Legendary cast. The script is perfect. No lasers, no explosions, no cgi, no guns, no car chases, no sex scenes. But utterly gripping. There are many levels to this masterpiece. There are several social tensions woven into this work. I have lost count of the times I have watched it. We memorized most of RPs lines in college and would work them into every conversation.

[@baddayoverdosed]

You're on a hot streak right now! Absolutely love it!

[@frightenedsoul]

I adore the book. It’s told from Chief’s perspective and his descriptive language is magical.

[@josefgordon7712]

I had heard the legends if this film and was like "naaaaah, old movies can't be that good" and that's when I opened my eyes to how big and rich a world of cinema I was ignoring in my naive youth.

[@forsakenjones4695]

Old movies are good.

[@alexsnower5743]

I’d argue new movies can’t be good to be honest. The Maltese falcon, Casablanca, citizen Kane, Chinatown, Lawrence of Arabia, The Godfather, patton, the French connection, the treasure of the Sierra madre , high noon, all about eve, Ben-hur, and touch of evil make new movies look like garbage.

[@josefgordon7712]

@@alexsnower5743 hell, Tremors make modern movies look like garbage tbh🤣

[@alexsnower5743]

@@josefgordon7712 the first tremors is actually a guilty pleasure of mine lol.

[@josefgordon7712]

@@alexsnower5743 Its a...modern-ish? master piece. I was just referencing a more recent film

[@earlmcraw6470]

I already feel like this planet is reading from this script.

[@TTM9691]

James, this may be my favorite reaction you've ever done.....and that's even after this edit, which I can see you had to leave out a lot of stuff because of copyright claims. You were pointing out stuff left and right, stuff I never even thought of during the seemingly-hundreds of times I've watched this movie. In the first minute of your reaction you point out they went from open spaces to showing them in cages, and compared their medication to Catholic communion. And it just went on from there. Obviously you "got" this movie from the first frame to the last and it was a pleasure and a privelege to watch this with you. And to do "Chinatown", then "Cuckoo's Nest" (and so close together), brilliant choice. You get to see the real Jack which has more dimensions then just over-the-top psycho he's come to be known for! (other great Jack performances: "Carnal Knowledge" (1971 - fantastic piece of cinema, screenwriting and acting!), "Terms Of Endearment" (1983-his second Oscar), "Prizzi's Honor" (1985-a mob comedy!), "The Last Detail" (1973), "Easy Rider" (1969), "Reds" (1981) and "About Schmidt" (2002) also come to mind. And "Broadcast News", which he has a sort of cameo role as a news anchor. LOVED THIS!

[@hannahmacdonald3804]

Not to be an English major but the book by Ken Kesey it’s based on is phenomenal and so worth reading (both are great and hold their own/being something to the table imo)

[@TillThenPlease]

Big props for doing this film! A brilliant piece of cinema!

[@karidennis6154]

Electroshock therapy is still used in a limited capacity today, it can be helpful with certain disorders but the patient is sedated for it now because it is so painful. I remember seeing a documentary about it and a young lady who was undergoing it spoke about it and it was helping her and since she was sedated for it she did not experience the negative painful aspect. Undergoing it without being sedated is just plain torture.

[@CribNotes]

Cuckoo's Nest Film trivia note.....the book version of the story is told thru the eyes of The Chief!!

[@tomantush4867]

Do you think that the Chief was the "one who flew over" by recovering enough to escape, or McMurphy, who overcame his basic selfishness to sacrifice himself for his friends?

[@ginfrench3350]

MacMurphy's freed spirit "flew over the cuckoo's nest", (as spirits tend to do......and escaped to Canada with Chief, as they had planned.

[@errwhattheflip]

I'd say both

[@djcantskate3883]

@@ginfrench3350you think his spirit went to Canada?

[@ginfrench3350]

@@djcantskate3883 when you are in spirit form you can go any where you please. I am just saying that the title of this movie is referring to McMurphy who as a spirit is free to escape the hospital with Chief by flying over obstacles that a person in physical form cannot. Since I knew Will Sampson personally and almost married him...I am just repeating information about the movie that Will himself explained to me.

[@tree6787]

Love this movie this is truly a classic.

[@NativeNewMexican]

You need to go through the credits, the number of amazing actors that come out of this is insane. On top of that, it was produced by Michael Douglas. That was a shocker.

[@rring44]

Billy's death hit just so hard.

[@brandonkashinsky9222]

And nurse ratched was like let’s move on with our rountine after something like this. She’s so evil. I so wanted to punch her in the face

[@richardzinns5314]

You are the first person I've ever seen react to this movie, one of only three movies that have ever scored a sweep of the Oscars! There are so many great classic movies from the seventies, and the only ones that seem to get frequent reactions are the Godfather movies, Jaws, and Star Wars. Even Chinatown, clearly one of the greatest movies ever made, only seems to get a few, and I've never seen a single reaction to M*A*S*H, The Sting, Lady Sings the Blues, or Sleuth -- all classics of the highest order. And while everyone knows one or two iconic moments from Taxi Driver, I wonder how many people actually know the movie itself. And then there are The Three Musketeers and The Four Musketeers, originally intended as one movie but released as two, which is so clearly the most exciting and wonderful adaptation ever made of one of the most often adapted novels in film history. I wish more people would look at more movies from that decade, which was one of the most important in the annals of film.

[@ktown64]

Great movie and reaction! Some suggestions: Cool Hand Luke A Beautiful Mind Rain Man Sling Blade

[@iulia.bianca.b]

Omg, it's one of my favorite movies ever! ❤️ So happy that you're reacting to it. I'll always love your opinions and interpretation of these movies and tv shows

[@JamesVSCinema]

Ahhhh you are seriously the best!! Super appreciate you 🙏🏽♥️

[@iulia.bianca.b]

@@JamesVSCinema Aaaaw, that's so sweet of you, James ❤️ Right back at you! You're seriously underrated and I hope you keep growing exponentially.

[@dajmasta94]

A top ten film for me! Ending gets me every time. The themes are just really heavy but it hits hard because Nicholson brings a genuine lightness to things for a lot of the film.

[@WhatsUpMan1969]

That whole scene with the Doctor in the beginning, the fish and all, was all improvised between the two... awesome.

[@moc9893]

One of my top 5 films of all time, I actually named my cousin the chief after watching this because he was so tall.

[@felixalonzo2847]

Astonishing Acting from every single person.

[@patriciadietze1707]

James, I have watched many reviews from many other reviewers and by far, YOU are the best! Thank you!

[@telephilia]

This film won Best Actor Best Actress and Best Film Oscars (and in this case deservedly so) - a rare feat.

[@johnharkness7114]

Best line: "This film is insane!" :)

[@jons.105]

Another great one. You're on a roll.

[@JamesVSCinema]

Patreon community selecting bangers.

[@jons.105]

@@JamesVSCinema I'd contribute to your cinematic education but can't afford it. Someday.

[@zolyx5395]

Best ensemble cast ever put into film

[@scottmoore1614]

I would have to agree. I can’t think of one that’s better.

[@EmilyInALoop]

The irony that Nurse Rachet was the most "crazy" out of every single patient in that hospital. Yet she was the run calling all the shots.

[@krissiep1317]

I know I might get flak for this from other commenters, but a good movie to segue into after One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest would be Patch Adams with Robin Williams. It’s based on a true story of a man who starts out in a ward and realizes the power of laughter in healing patients. Some people think this a surface level movie, but its not - although some parts are manufactured for entertainment purposes. It has Philip Seymour Hoffman and Bob Dunton (the warden from Shawshank Redemption). Thank you!

[@shainewhite2781]

Winner of 5 Oscars including Best Picture.

[@JamesVSCinema]

Well deserved.

[@wallygator52]

One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest was directed by Milos Forman who also directed Amadeus. He only directed a dozen films. He also directed the 1979 film Hair which I highly recommend.

[@ClifHaley]

My list of top 10 favorite movies is always in a state of flux, but one movie that never leaves the top 5 is this one.

[@storiedworlds6261]

You’re hitting all the best films. I’d love to see you follow this up with an episode of “Taxi”, also with Danny Devito and Christopher Lloyd. 😅

[@funwithdickandjoe]

Taxi is such a great show! One of the best sitcoms out there!

[@oobembarkarlsen3255]

This is one of my favorite movies of ALL-TIME! So happy to see you react to this. =)

[@markwillis675]

How about "The Sting"? So many awards. Amazing cast.

[@Abraided]

Your question was interesting: Was he crazy? That, to me, is a huge part of the movie. Who makes that determination? And how is that determination made? Is it something concrete? Is it just someone's interpretation compared to the "average". And is "average" a good yard stick? As much as we see the sense of freedom as a theme, what we also see is in order to get by, you must conform. If you don't conform, that lack of conformity will be beaten out of you, shocked out of you, or literally ripped out of you. For me, the biggest theme is that individuality itself can be seen as a sign of insanity. Why not go with the flow? It's easier. Why not go along to get along? It's easier. People who are independent and unique are labeled as "insane" and individuality as something to be "cured". We see that reflected in Nurse Ratched. As you say: she doesn't care for them as individuals, she only cares about creating a structure that breeds conformity: schedule, routine, sameness. It is why the hospital is shown as grey and dull but McMurphy has color. In the end, we see it in Chief. For the entirety of the movie we see him in grey until his personality comes out. He talks about being small because he understands that standing out is bad. His feigned deafness is about not having to respond, not show his personality or himself. In the end, he finds himself and is ok with himself and he leaves in a coat, leaving the greyness behind. Sanity, in this movie is very rigidly defined as conformity, while insanity is the nerve to be yourself.

[@gggooding]

That cast! Seriously, IMDb em. Even background actors became *something* after Nest. Singular example: Billy Bibbit was played by the man (Brad Dourif) who is Chucky, the Dr in Deadwood, Wormtongue in LOTR, in Star Trek, in a hundred silly glorious horror movies, in so, so many places. Nevermind Doc Brown and Frank Reynolds and the train-ghost from Ghost and Batman Returns in Nest.

[@NoLegalPlunder]

A favorite of mine growing up. I love movies with rebels who fight the system. Now you have to watch Cool Hand Luke (if you haven’t already).

[@leighfoulkes7297]

The book the movie was based on was written by Ken Kasey who actually saw this behavior while in a sanitarium. While in college, he got paid to be in an experiment that was being conducted by phycologist (knowingly or unknowingly working for the CIA) to see the effects of LSD on people. He fell in love with the LSD, started a group called the merry pranksters and had LSD parties all around the US. That is, he helped start the hippie movement.

[@experienceanimation217]

“It’s the truth even if it didn’t happen” ken kesey. The book is a must read. Ratched is told to be a demon from the get go and based off the character of a real person Ken worked with.

[@conureron3792]

Best sports movie! Had baseball, fishing, and basketball!

[@gugurupurasudaikirai7620]

The crazy part is the guy who played the head of the institute, Dr. Spivey, was an actual doctor who ran the Oregon State Mental Hospital where they filmed this. Some of the extras were actual mental patients too. On set he actually correctly diagnosed the actor, William Redfield, who played Harding with leukemia and gave him 18 months to live and he was right on point.

[@kellytrimble7019]

A Classic & one of my all time favorites!

[@muuuzaklistener]

one of the greatest films ive ever watched

[@needlefingers58]

It's always a pleasure to revisit these films with you. Thank you.

[@Teaniinja]

This is a great movie with a great cast. Brad Dourif has always been one of my favorite actors and the vulnerability he brought to his character in this movie always breaks my heart. Glad u liked the movie and I appreciate ur reaction as always.

[@maxscheidler]

This is the movie that made me love film making in a similar way that you do! I’ve been watching your channel the last week like your exorcist, dogs day afternoon, and evil dead reactions. You’re my favorite youtuber right now and you’re helping me through a hard time thank you. :)

[@JamesVSCinema]

Appreciate you brother :)