Michael Douglas and Danny DeVito are revisiting "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest" as the film celebrates its 50th anniversary. The milestone is being marked with a new 4K restoration and a theatrical re-release.

The film, directed by Miloš Forman, was a major success, becoming the second highest-grossing picture of 1975, only behind “Jaws”. It also received nine Oscar nominations. Despite the film's success, Jack Nicholson was not initially enthusiastic about attending the 1976 Oscars, where he was nominated for Best Actor. Having been nominated five times prior without a win, he expressed his reluctance to producer Michael Douglas. Douglas, however, persuaded him to attend.

Douglas's persistence paid off as "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest" went on to win the "big five" Oscars: Best Screenplay, Best Director, Best Actor, Best Actress, and Best Picture. It was the first film to achieve this feat in 41 years, since "It Happened One Night" in 1934. "The Silence of the Lambs" is the only other film to have accomplished this. Reflecting on that night, Douglas recalled Nicholson's initial pessimism after the first four losses, but Douglas urged him to "Hang in there".

For Michael Douglas, the film holds a special significance as the first movie he ever produced. He considers its lasting impact and the positive response it continues to receive as a "wonderful feeling" that brings back "a lot of great memories". The film adaptation of Ken Kesey's novel proved to be a turning point for Douglas, offering him a significant opportunity in film after being in television. His father, Kirk Douglas, played a crucial role by giving him the rights to the book. The movie also provided early career boosts for cast members like Danny DeVito and Christopher Lloyd.

Danny DeVito's casting was particularly memorable. Douglas, who had known DeVito for almost a decade, introduced him to Forman during his stage performance as Martini. Forman was immediately convinced, exclaiming, "Yes! Danny! Perfect! Cast!".

The 50th-anniversary re-release of "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest" will be in theaters on July 13 and July 16 through Fathom Entertainment. The new 4K restoration comes from the Academy Film Archive and Teatro Della Pace Films and includes an introduction by Leonard Maltin. Douglas praised the restored print, noting its gorgeous quality and the excellent sound. DeVito believes the film "holds up in a really big way" because of Forman's attention to the screenplay and original story.

DeVito shared an anecdote about the filming location, revealing that the cast was not allowed on the floor above them, which housed "seriously disturbed people who had committed murder". Douglas summed up the experience of making the film as a "fairy tale from beginning to end". He expressed doubt that any other experience in his career has come close to surpassing it, "Even my Oscar for best actor years later didn't really surpass that moment very early in my career".