We have been looking back over the decade at some of cinema's best and most memorable cinema... and you can't talk about great movies without tipping your hat to One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest.
One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest
One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest hit the big screen in the UK back in 1976 and remains one of Jack Nicholson's greatest performances.
The movie was based on the 1962 novel of the same name by Ken Kesey and saw Milos Forman in the director's chair, for what was his first feature film since Taking Off back in 1971.
Upon admittance to a mental institution, a brash rebel rallies the patients to take on the oppressive head nurse. Nicholson took on the role of that rebel, Randle McMurphy, while Louise Fletcher delivered a fantastic performance as Nurse Ratched.
Not only is One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest one of the best Nicholson performances, but it is also one of my favourites and this is a film that I never tire of going back to.
For me, Murphy is one of cinema's greatest anti-heroes as he fights against the establishment and the oppression of the asylum. He truly was born to play this role and you cannot see any other actor taking on this wonderful character.
The 1970s was an era of battling against the establishment and One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest is very much a film of its time that had a strong message that audiences could relate to.
On paper, One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest could have been a very drab movie - being set in the a mental institution does not scream comedy - but it is Nicholson's performance and charm that really lifts the film and brings the setting to life.
However, it is not all about Nicholson as Louise Fletcher delivers a wonderful performance as the domineering and uncaring Nurse Ratched - who remains one of cinema's greatest villains.
Her face to face scenes with Nicholson are some of the film's best as she tries to regain some order and make Murphy conform to the ways of the ward... a job that gets tougher and tougher as the film goes on.
Milos Forman has delivered a movie that was not only funny, but he explored themes of the oppression of the individual and battling against the establishment. He manages to balance all of these themes as he moves between light and heavy moments with such ease.
One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest was met with critical acclaim upon release and has gone on to be regarded as one of the best movies of all time.
As well as bring a critical hit, the film also enjoyed huge success at the Oscars, becoming on the second film to with the film main gongs - Best Picture, Best Actor, Best Actress, Best Director, and Best Screenplay.
One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest was the first Best Actor Oscar win for Nicholson - it was the fourth of his career and came after he had nods for Five Easy Piece, The Last Detail and Chinatown.
It remains one of his most iconic performances and roles and I just love him in this role.
Tagged in Jack Nicholson