One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest (1975) - Film 3

New Wave techniques in One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest

• Opening non-diegetic sound is in keeping with the rural landscape of mountains, and key character Chief Bromdon's ethnicity and heritage (American Indian).
• Dust on the film throughout, gives the picture an authentic feel. Mistakes that were not corrected. This was a common feature of New Wave.
• Diegetic sound.
• Natural lighting.
• Eye-level camera, point of view, giving perspective.
• Slow zoom into Nurse Ratched.
• Usually long cuts giving a sense of realism.
• Randle and the Chief are looking through the fence, shown behind bars and trapped.
• Framing.
• Handheld camera.
• Shallow depth of field, attracting focus to the key characters.
• Candid non-actors in the streets, when the patients are on the bus travelling.
• Fast cuts when Randle is fighting with a member of staff. Opposite to the usual long cuts.
• The electroconvulsive therapy scene reflects that time in America, when the treatment of patients in care was unknown behind closed doors.
• Mainly close-ups and mid-shots.
• The film opened peoples eyes and changed views on the treatment of psychiatric care within the current society, with scenes demonstrating electroconvulsive therapy and lobotomy.
• Randle McMurphy challenges the status quo, 'curing' the sick by inspiring confidence which they lack. His fellow inmates may be regarded as his 'disciples'. McMurphy is betrayed by Billy, as Judas betrayed Jesus. McMurphy dies for others 'sins', or trying to help them overcome them. In death, he inspires others to believe in themselves and something greater.
• The music from the opening scene is repeated again in the final scene when the Chief escapes the ward. Repetition in scenes was common in New Wave.