Milos Forman's brilliant 1975 adaptation of Ken Kesey's novel stars Jack Nicholson as R. P. McMurphy, a prisoner who decides to take a little vacation in the "loony bin," where he discovers a group of inmates who can't face the brutality of the world outside--but are hardly psychotic. In fact, to McMurphy (and the audience), the most psychotic person on the ward seems to be Nurse Ratched (a landmark loathsome performance by Louise Fletcher), who rules with a bureaucratic iron fist. Bucking the system, McMurphy decides to show the boys a good time--some fishing, some girls, some booze--and pays an extraordinarily heavy price for his capers. One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest deservedly swept the Oscars--taking the big five: Best Picture, Director, Actor (Nicholson), Actress (Fletcher), and Screenplay (a feat which hadn't occurred since 1934 with It Happened One Night). Although previously released by Warner in a bare-bones version, this new double-disc special edition features a lush 2001 digital transfer and remastered Dolby Digital 5.1 soundtrack, as well as a smart, meaty scene-specific commentary track by director Forman, with recorded comments from producers Saul Zaentz and Michael Douglas. On the second disc, viewers will find the 47-minute retrospective documentary "The Making of One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest," tracing the evolution of the story from book to stage to film, and eight additional/alternate scenes totaling some 19 minutes. One of the most powerful odes to freedom from totalitarian oppression ever committed to celluloid, this handsome presentation of a seminal film is most highly recommended. Editor's Choice. (R. Pitman)[Blu-ray Review—Aug. 19, 2008—Warner, 133 min., R, $28.99—Making its first appearance on Blu-ray, 1975’s One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest boasts a decent transfer and Dolby Digital 5.1 sound. The bonus features are identical to the double-disc standard DVD release, and include a fine scene-specific commentary track by director Forman (with recorded comments from producers Saul Zaentz and Michael Douglas), the 48-minute retrospective documentary “The Making of One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest” (tracing the evolution of the story from book to stage to film), and eight additional/alternate scenes (19 min.) Bottom line: a true contemporary cinema classic makes a fine high-def debut on Blu-ray.]
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