One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest (1975)

 

To celebrate the incomparable Jack Nicholson’s 80th birthday this April, the BFI is bringing One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, the classic he won his first Oscar from, back to the big screen. Directed by Miloš Forman and adapted from Ken Kesey’s novel, the rebellious 1975 tragicomedy centres on Randle McMurphy (Nicholson), a convict who simulates mental illness in the hope that a transfer to psychiatric hospital might ensure his early release. But he hasn’t bargained for the rigid regimen of Nurse Ratched (Louise Fletcher, also superb), who dislikes his disruptive — though he’d say liberating — effect on the ward. The acclaimed drama went on to win 5 Oscars and 6 BAFTAs, and its all-star cast includes Danny DeVito, Brad Dourif and Christopher Lloyd.