442. GREAT CINEMA ADAPTATIONS: ONE FLEW OVER THE CUCKOO’S NEST

Peter Josyph via Zoom

Ken Kesey’s 1962 novel is told in the first-person by Chief Bromden, who co-habits Oregon

State Psychiatric Hospital with the rebellious Randle McMurphy, a con-artist who fakes madness

to escape jailtime and whose specialty is disrupting Nurse Ratched’s strict routine amongst the

inmates. Inspired by Kesey’s work as an orderly, the novel continues to be challenged and

banned in multiple states. Miloš Forman’s 1975 adaptation—which was shot in the hospital in

which the story is set—won nearly every award for which it was nominated (34). In addition to

Jack Nicholson as McMurphy, the extraordinary cast includes Danny DeVito, Brad Dourif,

Louise Fletcher, Will Sampson, Scatman Crothers, and Christopher Lloyd. Our discussions will

feature the Nest’s 13-year journey to the screen, including the involvement of both Kirk and

Michael Douglas; major interference by the Czech government; the unique way the

performances were captured; and the complex themes of psychiatric incarceration and shock

therapy.

1:00-2:00 p.m. / 1:00-2:30 p.m.                                                                                  2 Sessions Thursdays, Mar. 6 and Mar. 13                                                                             Fee:  $50

 [A Zoom link will be sent to you prior to each session, typically on the day before your class and the morning of your class.  If you have any questions or need help getting online, feel free to call us at 516-480-5733 and we’ll get right back to you with assistance.]

ABOUT THE LECTURER

Peter Josyph is an author, actor, director, and filmmaker whose films include: Liberty Street: Alive at Ground Zero; Acting Cormac McCarthy: The Making of Billy Bob Thorton’s All the Pretty Horses; Shakespeare In New York: The Sonnets; and A Few Things Basquiat Did in School. His books include: Adventures in Reading Cormac McCarthy; What One Man Said to Another, Talks with Richard Seltzer; and, The Wounded River, which was chosen as a New York Times Notable Book. He also excels in literary and film criticism.