One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest

Comparison of Book and Movie of One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest

“One Flew over the Cuckoo's Nest” is a book written by Ken Kesey to

accomplish a certain mood within its chapters. The feelings and moods

given in the book differ greatly from those in the movie because of

multiple changes in character development. Each and every time a movie is

produced from a book, the producers are forced to change parts of the story. This is done

in order to suit the audience’s needs for a faster paced plot. What

is lost can sometimes be the real meaning behind the story.

The characterization of Chief Bromden is a good example of the

changes made from book to movie. His past is a vital piece of information

contributing to the mood and understanding of the story. In the movie,

Bromden is nothing more than a crazy Indian who doesn't want to talk so

pretends to be deaf and dumb. In the book, Bromden has

flashbacks to his childhood, lighting on significant points in his

childhood. His background is never even brushed upon in the movie, the real puzzle to his

problems is lost.

McMurphy is a very sly, cunning man. He knows how to play his game

and does it well. In the book as McMurphy progresses, he goes through many

stages where he is rebellious, then “good”, then rebellious again. This is because he learns exactly what it means to be committed and what it takes to be released. Then he begins to see that all his ward

mates are counting on him so he becomes rebellious again. These reactions to his environments encourage McMurphy to be not crazy but intelligent and quick. In the movie, McMurphy is not

only wild, but rude. He never stopped being

wild