'One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest' is universally recognized as a timeless masterpiece. Based on Ken Kesey's 1962 novel of the same name, which had previously been adapted for the stage, the film tells the story of Randle Mac McMurphy (played by Jack Nicholson), a man convicted of statutory rape who pretends to have a mental illness to avoid hard labor. He is sent to a psychiatric hospital, where he befriends fellow patients and faces off against the formidable Nurse Ratched (Louise Fletcher). The film was directed by Milo Forman, a Czech-American filmmaker, and went on to win five Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Actor for Nicholson, Best Actress for Fletcher, Best Director for Forman, and Best Adapted Screenplay for Lawrence Hauben and Bo Goldman.
Michael Douglas, who produced the film, always believed in its potential for greatness. As the movie marks its 50th anniversary, Douglas reflects on the production and its lasting impact. "We thought it was special," he said. Warner Bros. has now released a deluxe 4K Blu-ray edition of the film, complete with new bonus features, including interviews hosted by Douglas himself.
Despite his confidence in the film's success, the production wasn't without challenges. Douglas recalled a moment when there were issues during filming, specifically with director Forman's reluctance to show any dailies to the cast. "Milos was one of those directors who didn't want the cast to see anything," Douglas explained. "But we had some tension with our cameraman, Haskell Wexler, who was also a director, and there was some feedback." Douglas eventually convinced Forman to show Nicholson some of the footage, which helped calm the situation and reassure the cast.
The post-production process was carried out in Berkeley, California, at Fantasy Records, before the film was sent to Hollywood for distribution. "The exact movie that was nominated for nine Academy Awards and won five that exact one was rejected by all the major studios," Douglas recalled. "The studios didnt want to take the risk." Ultimately, United Artists agreed to distribute the film. "We ended up with the worst possible choice, but it turned out to be the best situation," Douglas said.
Douglas reflected on the unique aspects of the film's production, noting that they filmed at an actual psychiatric facility in Oregon. "We wanted to capture the authenticity of the mental hospital, and the actors were able to interact with real patients and sit in on group therapy sessions. It made a huge difference," he said. The crew's commitment to realism paid off, creating an atmosphere where the actors were deeply immersed in their roles.
Initially, the Oregon State Mental Hospital had refused to cooperate with the production. Douglas recalled calling the facility and explaining that, while they could shoot the film elsewhere, the movie would still reference the Oregon hospital. "That's what convinced them to come on board," he said. "They were proud to be part of the film, and the hospital's involvement became an important part of the movie's success."
In one of the special features on the new Blu-ray release, Douglas shares how director Hal Ashby recommended Nicholson for the role of McMurphy. Although Ashby had once wanted to direct the film himself, he and producer Saul Zaentz had clashed, and Forman was eventually chosen. "Jack wasnt known for playing a character like McMurphy before," Douglas explained. "He was more of a quasi-intellectual actor. But after we saw his performance in 'The Last Detail,' we knew he was perfect for the role."
Douglas also reflected on the pivotal role his father, Kirk Douglas, played in the film's development. Originally, Kirk had wanted to star in the role of McMurphy, but he eventually handed it over to his son. Michael said that while his father was initially upset, he later came to appreciate the film's success. "He was proud of the movie and happy with the way things turned out," Douglas said, adding that his father made more money from the film than from any other project he had worked on.
'One Flew Over the Cuckoos Nest' marked the beginning of Michael Douglas's journey as a producer. He admitted that he had never envisioned becoming a producer but had learned a great deal from his years of experience working on television. "I had a lot to learn, but I realized how much I had absorbed from my time on 'The Streets of San Francisco,'" Douglas said.
Though Douglas has stepped back from acting, he continues to enjoy his life and work. "Once you step off the merry-go-round, you realize theres a lot more out there," he said. The 50th anniversary edition of 'One Flew Over the Cuckoos Nest' is now available in 4K UHD, and its highly recommended for fans of the film.
