One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest Book and Movie Comparison

Many books are made into films. Some, like Francis Ford Coppolla’s Apocalypse Now (based on Joseph Conrad’s Heart of Darkness), and his Bram Stoker’s Dracula, bear little resemblance to the books on which they are based. On the other hand, some films, such as the Harry Potter series, follow the book so closely, that there is almost no point in seeing the film.

One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, though, is interesting in that it follows the book closely for the most part, but, when the subtle differences are analyzed, the film ends up having a much different theme from the book.

We will be watching the film of One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest in class, and you will be taking notes on these differences. The differences can be as small as the fact that Jack Nicholson looks different from the McMurphy that Kesey describes, or as significant as the fact that Cheswick gets to survive the movie. The point, though, is to take these differences and explore the thematic significance of them.

Examples:

Your notes on the movie might read: “McMurphy looks a lot different.”

There are a number of questions to still be asked here, and things to be analyzed. For instance:  How is McMurphy different?  How does his short stature in comparison to the orderlies and, in cases, the other patients, change the way that he will have to affect those other patients?  McMurphy is a presence as soon as he walks into the ward in the book. Is the same true in the movie? If not, how does McMurphy “win over” the patients in the film?  I think Nicholson plays McMurphy as confused. Does McMurphy in the book seem confused?  In the film, what is it that makes McMurphy a revolutionary leader? In the book, what is it? What are the different messages about what it takes to fight authority?

Assignment: There are other significant differences between the book and the movie. After taking notes on these differences, choose one major difference and explore how this difference affects a theme or “big idea.” You will turn in your notes as well as your analysis. Because we have discussed both topics in class, you may not write about McMurphy being different or about Bromden not narrating.

Due: Thursday, October 6

20 Points Step One: Use the space below to take notes as you watch the movie. Jot down differences you notice between the book and the movie.

Notes

McMurphy looks different

Bromden does not narrate Step Two: Choose one of the differences you noted above and write a paragraph analyzing how this difference affects a theme of the work. You may not write about McMurphy being different or about Bromden not narrating.