15 Intriguing Insights Into One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest

Released on November 19, 1975, Miloš Forman's One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest achieved both critical and commercial success, sweeping numerous Oscars. While the film’s deep dive into a 1960s mental institution is widely celebrated, many intriguing behind-the-scenes details remain largely unknown.

1. The production of One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest faced a major hurdle due to U.S. Customs.

Although the 1963 stage adaptation of Ken Kesey’s novel, featuring Kirk Douglas, saw only moderate success, Douglas was determined to bring the story to the big screen. He reached out to Czech filmmaker Miloš Forman, offering to send him a copy of the book for review.

Douglas sent the novel to Forman, but Czechoslovakian customs seized the package, and it never arrived. Unaware of the situation, Forman felt slighted by Douglas’s unfulfilled promise, while Douglas assumed Forman was being dismissive by not acknowledging receipt. The misunderstanding lasted a decade until Michael Douglas, Kirk’s son, revived the project and reconnected with Forman.

2. A major studio proposed altering the conclusion of One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest.

While pitching the film to studios, 20th Century Fox expressed interest but demanded a significant change: they wanted the ending revised so that McMurphy survives. Producers Saul Zaentz and Michael Douglas rejected this condition, deeming it unacceptable, and ultimately secured distribution through United Artists.

3. The iconic roles of McMurphy and Nurse Ratched were initially offered to other actors before Jack Nicholson and Louise Fletcher.

During Kirk Douglas’s initial efforts to adapt One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest for film in the 1960s, he planned to reprise his stage role as Randle Patrick McMurphy. However, by the time production resumed a decade later, Douglas was no longer suitable for the part. Director Forman then explored options like Gene Hackman, Marlon Brando, and Burt Reynolds (his top choice) before ultimately casting Jack Nicholson.

Several actresses were considered for the role of Nurse Ratched, the film’s main antagonist, including Anne Bancroft, Colleen Dewhurst, Geraldine Page, and Angela Lansbury. However, Louise Fletcher was eventually chosen for the part.

4. Louise Fletcher reshaped Miloš Forman’s interpretation of Nurse Ratched.

Initially, Forman envisioned Nurse Ratched as “the embodiment of evil,” which made Fletcher seem unsuitable for the role. However, as Fletcher advocated for the part, Forman’s perspective shifted. He realized that portraying Ratched as an unknowing instrument of evil—someone who genuinely believes she is helping others—would be far more impactful. This nuanced approach led to Fletcher’s casting.

5. Many individuals in the cast of One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest were not professional actors.

After choosing Oregon State Hospital as the filming location, the production team decided to cast the facility’s superintendent, Dr. Dean Brooks, as Dr. John Spivey, the psychiatrist evaluating R. P. McMurphy. Brooks accepted the substantial role, marking his only acting experience. He also facilitated the hiring of numerous hospital patients as extras and crew members.

Mel Lambert, a local businessman with no acting background, was recruited to portray the harbormaster opposing McMurphy’s impromptu fishing expedition. Lambert, who had strong ties to the Native American community, also introduced the filmmakers to Will Sampson, a 6-foot-5-inch Muscogee artist who debuted as Chief Bromden.

6. During filming, the lead actors of One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest resided on the hospital ward.

The actors portraying patients lived on the psychiatric ward of Oregon State Hospital during filming. They personalized their living spaces, immersed themselves in the hospital environment to understand the experience of being institutionalized (as actor Vincent Schiavelli described), and engaged with actual patients.

7. Numerous scenes in One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest were filmed without the actors’ awareness.

To enhance authenticity, Forman conducted unscripted group therapy sessions, encouraging actors to develop their characters’ psychological issues naturally. He often filmed these moments without informing the cast, capturing genuine reactions. One such moment in the final cut shows Fletcher visibly annoyed by Forman’s direction.

8. Miloš Forman and Jack Nicholson had a major disagreement about the film’s storyline.

Though the severity of the conflict varies by account, it’s widely reported that Nicholson refused to speak to Forman for a significant portion of production. The actor disagreed with Forman’s portrayal of the inmates as unruly from McMurphy’s arrival, arguing that their defiance should only emerge after McMurphy’s influence.

While the final film aligns more with Nicholson’s interpretation, implying Forman accepted his input, Nicholson ceased communicating with the director afterward. For necessary exchanges, they relied on cinematographer Bill Butler as an intermediary.

9. Danny DeVito invented an imaginary companion while filming One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest.

Struggling with the emotional toll of a grueling shoot and being far from his then-fiancée, Rhea Perlman, DeVito coped by creating an imaginary friend for nightly conversations. Worried about his mental state, DeVito consulted Dr. Brooks, who reassured him that recognizing the friend as fictional was a sign of stability.

10. The crew of One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest grew concerned about the mental well-being of one actor.

While Dr. Brooks wasn’t worried about DeVito, he shared the crew’s concerns about Sydney Lassick, who portrayed Charlie Cheswick. Lassick’s behavior grew increasingly erratic and emotionally unstable during filming, culminating in a tearful breakdown while watching the final scene between Nicholson and Sampson. Overcome with emotion, he had to be escorted off the set.

11. To bond with her One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest co-stars, Louise Fletcher surprised everyone by undressing.

Wanting to break the ice and distance herself from her character’s authoritarian image, Fletcher shocked the cast one evening by removing her dress in the crowded ward. Reflecting on the incident years later, she joked, “‘I’ll show them I’m a real woman under here.’ That must have been my thought process.”

12. The fishing trip scene almost didn’t make it into One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest.

Forman initially resisted including a scene outside the hospital, fearing it would diminish the impact of the film’s ending. However, Zaentz persuaded him to film the sequence, which became the final scene shot and the only one filmed out of order.

Keep an eye out for a subtle cameo by Anjelica Huston in the fishing scene. Huston, who was in a relationship with Nicholson during filming, appears as a silent onlooker on the dock as McMurphy and the patients return the stolen boat to shore.

13. One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest became the first film in 41 years to win all five major Academy Awards.

Following It Happened One Night in 1934, no film had achieved a clean sweep of the Oscars for Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor, Best Actress, and Best Screenplay until One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest. Nicholson and Fletcher claimed the top acting honors, and the record remained unmatched for 16 years until The Silence of the Lambs accomplished the same feat.

14. One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest had one of the longest theatrical runs in cinematic history.

While One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest was celebrated globally, it held a special place in the hearts of Swedish audiences. The film remained a popular choice in Swedish cinemas until 1987—11 years after its debut.

15. Ken Kesey, author of One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, avoided watching the film (though he might have seen it accidentally).

A staunch advocate for the superiority of his novel, Kesey was displeased with the film adaptation, particularly the decision to omit Chief Bromden’s narration. He vowed never to watch the movie, though rumors suggest he stumbled upon it while flipping through TV channels one night. Realizing what he was watching, he quickly changed the channel.

Novelist Chuck Palahniuk, who praised David Fincher’s adaptation of Fight Club despite changes, revealed that Kesey privately expressed dissatisfaction with the film.

This story has been updated for 2020.