Einer flog über das Kuckucksnest

Miracles happen sometimes. This low-budget film nobody expected anything from and by a director with almost no reputation, went on to become a worldwide hit, winner of five major Oscars and a pearl of world cinema. Louise Fletcher, as Nurse Mildred, is one of the most repulsive creatures and the final scene one of the most emotional and moving in the history of cinema. (13.04.2003)

Excellent, but I can’t give it a full score, One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest didn’t impress me enough for that. Besides, I doubt the film was supposed to make me sympathise with the character of Louise Fletcher, and that Nicholson’s character was supposed to get on my nerves. The nuthouse is a brilliantly depressive setting, but the film never managed to transmit that very well to me as a viewer. It just failed to leave me with that unique 100% impression. 85% (16.09.2008)

Ein unsägliches Schauspiel- und Regiekonzert, basierend auf einem hervorragenden Skript und einem großartigen Drehbuch. Es ist schwer zu sagen, wem die Suggestivität von Einer flog über das Kuckucksnest am meisten zuzuschreiben ist, ob dem Ensemble von Schauspielern, die hinter den Mauern der Welt der "Abnormität" mehrere Wochen verbrachten, um das dortige Kolorit aufzusaugen und zu absorbieren (und dies ist allen perfekt gelungen) oder Miloš Forman, dessen einfühlsame und im Grunde unaufdringliche, aber perfekt getaktete Regie dem Film eine ruhige, unterschwellige Dramatik verleiht, die in den Gruppentherapieszenen ihre größte Intensität erreicht... Die wohl angemessenste Schlussfolgerung ist, dass Einer flog über das Kuckucksnest eine perfekt aufeinander abgestimmte Symphonie aller Instrumente ist, die von den Soloparts von Jack Nicholson (unglaublich lebhaft und wahrhaftig manisch) und Louise Fletcher (hinter deren schöner Fassade sich ein minimalistischer Ausdruck des Grauens verbirgt) dominiert wird. Der stille Kampf zwischen diesen beiden Elementen - dem lärmenden Lebemann und Unruhestifter McMurphy und der despotischen Herrscherin Schwester Ratched - wird durch die kleineren, aber umso respektableren Parts der Stationsinsassen perfekt ergänzt. Miloš Forman navigiert durch die Welt der "Freaks" mit absoluter Selbstverständlichkeit, dokumentarischem Verständnis und einem untrüglichen Gespür für das innere Drama der Figuren. Dieses Bild der individuellen Freiheit und der Freude am Leben inmitten einer Welt, die ihre Bewohner gnadenlos verschlingt, stellt auch nach all den Jahren alles in den Schatten, was zu diesem Thema gedreht wurde (einschließlich die berechnenden Verurteilten). (13.03.2005)

One of the most accomplished adaptations of a literary novel, which is absolutely fabulous in itself. Forman in his top form and with a host of exceptional actors in mostly roles of a lifetime. (22.01.2007)

Clearly the best Forman, the best Nicholson, and one of the most respected works by me. If I had to objectively say one film that deserves the highest rating from everyone, I would say it's precisely "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest". The actors compete to play better - whether it's Randall, the head nurse, or any of the other crazies, they are all incredibly believable. For me, it was the best Indian, also because of the ending, where my jaw dropped and stayed there for a long time. (31.12.2005)

It may be surprising in connection with the name of Miloš Forman, but his name always comes to mind whenever I think of political motifs in film-making, specifically left-wing political concepts. While his films don't feature revolutions or strike movements, nor are they simple and clear political manifestos, Forman works in a complex way with the basic ideals of intellectual leftism and depicts in his films the boundaries of human freedom, democracy, and equality. For example, in Ragtime, he explores the issue of racial emancipation, in Hair the anti-war movement, and in One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, as an uninvolved observer, he follows the perennial conflict between authoritarianism, hiding behind competence and responsibility for the entrusted flock, represented by the "big" sister, and between free-thinking and anarchy represented by the volatile character portrayed by Jack Nicholson. On one hand, there is responsibility, but do we even know if those who decide are always selfless and just? On the other hand, are those who operate under the concept of absolute freedom capable of bearing the responsibility for the consequences of their actions, and would a society composed solely of McMurphys function? Wouldn't what we admire in his fight for his own rights soon be at our throats if it surrounded us? And above all, is democratic voting in a society composed of average individuals often with poor education, low intelligence, and minimal motivation the best way to govern society? Doesn't democratic choice when appointing a political position equate to voting by incapacitated patients in a psychiatric institution? From an acting, directing, and screenwriting perspective, One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest is one of the peaks of world cinema, and Forman has rightfully become a legend of American cinema. Overall impression: 100%. (14.01.2012)

A truly good and interesting movie. I’m not too keen on Jack Nicholson, but here he gives an excellent performance and his McMurphy is a really great piece of acting, but equally great is Will Sampson in the role of the taciturn Chief. In fact, all of the acting performances deserve admiration. Perfect nutters :-). And Louise Fletcher as the dictatorial nurse is asking to be strangled. Forman’s masterpiece. (27.02.2007)

There isn’t much to add. The label of one of the best films in history is very well deserved, as well as the five Oscars in the five major categories. It revitalised Miloš Forman's career in an incredible way, helping him rise to the position of a respected and successful great director. But where would this film be with a different cast? The praise here is not only due to Jack Nicholson, whose performance is brilliant and heartfelt, and I rank it among the best I've ever seen, but also to the other actors involved, who are incredible as the madmen and give the film a distinct authenticity and power. The story is precisely written and directed, Louise Fletcher is both charming and devilish at the same time, and the ending is an unforgettable experience that everyone should savour. (08.02.2012)

In jeder Hinsicht ein hervorragender Film, der in der Vorstellung des Zuschauers mit steigenden Zuschauerzahlen wie Wein reift. Miloš Forman in seiner besten Form und von Jack Nicholsons wildem Schauspiel kann man den Blick nicht abwenden. Und so könnte ich alles bei diesem Film lobend hervorheben. Kurz gesagt, dieses Werk ist zurecht legendär. (19.04.2018)

I had this legendary film prepared for a long time, and I couldn't get to it for a while. Finally, I saw it and I have to say that it is truly an intense spectacle. Some actors play their crazies absolutely brilliantly. Danny DeVito is absolutely captivating, but it is clear that the main focus is on Nicholson and Fletcher. I like that the confrontation is not usually direct, but rather a cold war. It builds up beautifully. Every scene has its power, even though its climax may come gradually. When you want to create hell, you don't need demons. (13.03.2014)

The immense power of this work lies primarily in its immensely evocative delivery and its relentless final impact on the viewer's emotions. Who is actually the biggest fool here is a very difficult question for each viewer to answer for themselves. Just writing the review here now and recalling snippets of this immortal Forman flick brings tears to my eyes once again. Miloš Forman has transformed all the apparent drawbacks (the closed setting, the limited space for Nicholson, the overall feeling of detachment) into major strengths that result in a gripping emotional spectacle with Jack Nicholson in the role of a lifetime. It's hard to say who is the king of this film, Forman or Nicholson, but what is certain is that this is an exceptional film whose intrinsic value will only increase with time. What is remarkable is that such a seemingly "small", human, intimate, and actually low-budget film has managed to appeal to such a wide spectrum of audiences and academics. Ultimately, this is a "great" film, a film great in its ideas, its production, its brilliant cast, and its absolutely breathtaking conclusion. (24.08.2013)