Warner Bros. Discovery Home Entertainment will release the 4K Ultra HD version of the acclaimed 1975 film One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest on November 11. This special edition honors the movie’s 50th anniversary and highlights Jack Nicholson’s iconic role as Randle, which earned him his first Academy Award for Best Actor.
Details on the New 4K Edition and Its Release
Fans can purchase the digitally remastered 4K Ultra HD and 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray editions starting November 11. This release includes a range of bonus materials, both new and previously available, offering deeper insights into the film’s development and legacy.
The bonus features are as follows:
- Conversations on Cuckoo: Group Therapy (NEW) — Producer Michael Douglas hosts an in-depth discussion with cast members Danny DeVito, Christopher Lloyd, and Brad Dourif, reflecting on the unconventional casting choices that helped propel the ensemble’s success.
- Conversations on Cuckoo: Moviemaking Memories (NEW) — Michael Douglas and actors share stories about working with Jack Nicholson and director Miloš Forman during the production of the Academy Award-winning film.
- Completely Cuckoo — A behind-the-scenes documentary tracing the project’s evolution from Ken Kesey’s 1962 novel to the 1963 Broadway adaptation featuring Kirk Douglas, and finally to the 1975 film that swept the Academy Awards.
- Deleted Scenes
- Pecking Party (2:17)
- Where Are Your Clothes? (1:50)
- Meet Nurse Ratched (1:39)
- First Group Therapy (2:36)
- Shaving Chief (0:49)
Key Contributors and Cast Behind the Classic Film
The film was directed by Miloš Forman and features a screenplay written by Lawrence Hauben and Bo Goldman. Jack Nicholson starred as Randle, a rebellious patient who challenges the oppressive order of a psychiatric hospital. Louise Fletcher portrayed the stern Nurse Ratched, whose controlling presence antagonizes the inmates.
The supporting cast includes Will Sampson as Chief, Danny DeVito as Martini, William Redfield as Dale, Brad Dourif as Billy, and Christopher Lloyd as Max, the latter two making their feature film debuts. Producers Michael Douglas and Saul Zaentz played pivotal roles in bringing this project to fruition. The movie currently holds a 93% Certified Fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes, underscoring its lasting critical acclaim.
Synopsis and Cultural Impact of the Film
The official synopsis describes the story as follows:
“A feisty misfit sent to a mental hospital inspires his fellow patients to assert themselves, much to the chagrin of the strong-willed head nurse, who turns out to be more dangerous than any of the inmates,”
highlighting the film’s exploration of authority and individual freedom.
This landmark film has influenced generations of audiences by addressing mental health and institutional power dynamics through powerful performances and storytelling. The 4K release not only revitalizes the viewing experience but also preserves the legacy of this cinematic milestone.
