One flew over the Cuckoo's nest
...tall poppy syndrome as he said and did as he pleased, which Chief is afraid of). Their friendship grows stronger when Chief opens up to McMurphy and shows he is not the once thought, deaf and dumb Indian, but a man with a lot of depth and character that is explored greatly in the shock ending. Throughout this movie many themes are explored between Chief and McMurphy and the rest of the ward including the domineering Nurse Ratched. McMurphy is responsible for most of these themes, creating a basic relationship that builds itself upon trust, hope and friendship and allows room for the rest to follow with fights and controversy taking place in the group discussions, with that constant theme of control vs freedom which drives Chief and McMurphy to find freedom. As these themes are explored, symbolic moments are captured and add huge meaning to the story. In the opening scene of the film, vast land of mountains with a beautiful sunset disappearing over the horizon symbolizes freedom and is meaningful throughout the entire film. The film has a slight Catholic feel to it as if McMurphy is the savior who has come to rescue the ward patients to help them see a better life and experience happiness. Other symbolic scenes that support this are when the ward party takes place (the last supper) and then Billy (Judas) betrays McMurphy (the savior). Water is also a symbolic icon in the film of freedom when Chief rips the water fountain away leaving shooting water of freedom. One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest uses a wide variety of film techniques that entice the viewer, create suspense and keep them interested. Throughout the film these techniques are used cleverly to emphasize nurse Ratched’s domineering role in the ward. In the basketball scene, a low angle camera long shot is used to show Ratched’s power, almost suggesting she is always above the patients and will always dominate the ward. These types of shots always keep the same effect throughout the duration of the film, keeping Ratched’s role dominant. There are many moments in the film when the characters’ feeling and emotions are felt by the viewer by using medium shots, then zooming into a close up shot to really capture the mood of the scene. Another effect that helps build the atmosphere and surroundings was the music and sound effects. When it was medication time, that all too familiar music was played and really gave the scene routine and structur...