1963
R.P. McMurphy, a rebellious new patient, arrives at a mental institution and immediately challenges the oppressive authority of Nurse Ratched, attempting to inject life and freedom into the ward's subdued patients. McMurphy organizes a fishing trip and a party with prostitutes, fostering a sense of camaraderie and defiance among the patients, particularly inspiring the seemingly deaf and mute Chief Bromden to speak. After a party, Nurse Ratched discovers Billy Bibbit with a prostitute, leading to Billy's suicide when confronted, which provokes McMurphy to violently attack Nurse Ratched. McMurphy is subsequently lobotomized, returning to the ward in a catatonic state, prompting Chief Bromden to mercifully suffocate him to prevent further suffering and then escape the institution, smashing a window with a hydrotherapy machine.
Save the Cat beat sheet
A rebellious new patient, McMurphy, arrives at a mental ward and shakes up the oppressed patients under Nurse Ratched’s strict regime.
Open full beat sheetR.P. McMurphy is listed as Protagonist. A rebellious, charismatic, and gambling-prone new admission to the hospital. In the parsed data, R.P. McMurphy is connected to 42 scenes, 168 dialogue lines, 169 text mentions, first appearing around scene 6.
42 scenes / 168 dialogue linesChief Bromden is listed as Patient. A large, quiet, and observant patient who pretends to be deaf and dumb. In the parsed data, Chief Bromden is connected to 32 scenes, 6 dialogue lines, 7 text mentions, first appearing around scene 34.
32 scenes / 6 dialogue linesHarding is listed as Patient. An articulate and anxious patient, often the leader of the group therapy sessions. In the parsed data, Harding is connected to 23 scenes, 13 dialogue lines, 19 text mentions, first appearing around scene 10.
23 scenes / 13 dialogue linesBilly Bibbit is listed as Patient. A stuttering, shy, and vulnerable patient. In the parsed data, Billy Bibbit is connected to 22 scenes, 23 dialogue lines, 23 text mentions, first appearing around scene 27.
22 scenes / 23 dialogue linesCheswick is listed as Patient. An excitable and vocal patient. In the parsed data, Cheswick is connected to 22 scenes, 15 dialogue lines, 21 text mentions, first appearing around scene 12.
22 scenes / 15 dialogue linesMartini is listed as Patient. A patient prone to hallucinations and confusion. In the parsed data, Martini is connected to 20 scenes, 18 dialogue lines, 29 text mentions, first appearing around scene 12.
20 scenes / 18 dialogue linesScanlon is listed as Patient. A patient who is often restless and aggressive. In the parsed data, Scanlon is connected to 20 scenes, 8 dialogue lines, 14 text mentions, first appearing around scene 12.
20 scenes / 8 dialogue linesMiss Ratched is listed as Antagonist. The head nurse of the ward, controlling and authoritarian. In the parsed data, Miss Ratched is connected to 18 scenes, 34 dialogue lines, 42 text mentions, first appearing around scene 3.
18 scenes / 34 dialogue linesTaber is listed as Patient. A cynical and aggressive patient. In the parsed data, Taber is connected to 18 scenes, 13 dialogue lines, 16 text mentions, first appearing around scene 12.
18 scenes / 13 dialogue linesFredrickson is listed as Patient. A patient who is friends with Sefelt. In the parsed data, Fredrickson is connected to 18 scenes, 11 dialogue lines, 14 text mentions, first appearing around scene 27.
18 scenes / 11 dialogue linesSefelt is listed as Patient. A patient who suffers from epilepsy. In the parsed data, Sefelt is connected to 17 scenes, 10 dialogue lines, 14 text mentions, first appearing around scene 12.
17 scenes / 10 dialogue linesWashington is listed as Attendant. A day attendant on the ward. In the parsed data, Washington is connected to 17 scenes, 10 dialogue lines, 11 text mentions, first appearing around scene 3.
17 scenes / 10 dialogue linesWarren is listed as Attendant. A day attendant on the ward. In the parsed data, Warren is connected to 12 scenes, 1 dialogue line, 2 text mentions, first appearing around scene 3.
12 scenes / 1 dialogue linesDoctor Spivey is listed as Psychiatrist. The head doctor of the ward. In the parsed data, Doctor Spivey is connected to 9 scenes, 5 dialogue lines, 5 text mentions, first appearing around scene 1.
9 scenes / 5 dialogue linesMiss Pilbow is listed as Nurse. A day nurse on the ward. In the parsed data, Miss Pilbow is connected to 8 scenes, 7 dialogue lines, 9 text mentions, first appearing around scene 4.
8 scenes / 7 dialogue linesTurkle is listed as Attendant. A night attendant on the ward. In the parsed data, Turkle is connected to 7 scenes, first appearing around scene 2.
7 scenes / 0 dialogue linesCandy is listed as Visitor. A friend of McMurphy who visits the hospital. In the parsed data, Candy is connected to 6 scenes, 2 dialogue lines, 6 text mentions, first appearing around scene 37.
6 scenes / 2 dialogue linesMiller is listed as Attendant. A day attendant on the ward. In the parsed data, Miller is connected to 6 scenes, 1 text mention, first appearing around scene 2.
6 scenes / 0 dialogue linesEllis is listed as Patient. A patient who stands against the wall in a fixed position. In the parsed data, Ellis is connected to 5 scenes, first appearing around scene 10.
5 scenes / 0 dialogue linesRose is listed as Visitor. A friend of Candy who visits the hospital. In the parsed data, Rose is connected to 4 scenes, 5 dialogue lines, 7 text mentions, first appearing around scene 37.
4 scenes / 5 dialogue linesBancini is listed as Patient. A patient who is constantly tired and complains about it. In the parsed data, Bancini is connected to 3 scenes, 1 dialogue line, 1 text mention, first appearing around scene 10.
3 scenes / 1 dialogue linesMcMurphy sits on a water tower while officials and guards gather below, attempting to convince him to come down.
R.P. McMurphy, Doctor SpiveyPatients wake up and begin their morning routine; Bromden sneaks out of bed.
Chief Bromden, Turkle, Miss Pilbow, Washington, Warren, MillerBromden is harassed by attendants before Miss Ratched arrives.
Chief Bromden, Miss Ratched, Washington, Warren, MillerMiss Ratched and Miss Pilbow prepare for the day.
Miss Ratched, Miss PilbowBromden is forcibly shaved by Washington.
Chief Bromden, Washington, WarrenMcMurphy arrives at the hospital.
R.P. McMurphy, Miss Pilbow, Washington, WarrenMcMurphy is introduced to the ward and meets Doctor Spivey.
R.P. McMurphy, Doctor Spivey, Miss Pilbow, Washington, Warren, SefeltMcMurphy interacts with the patients and plays cards.
R.P. McMurphy, Miss Ratched, Harding, Billy Bibbit, Cheswick, MartiniMcMurphy has an intake interview with Doctor Spivey.
R.P. McMurphy, Doctor SpiveyGroup therapy session led by Miss Ratched.
R.P. McMurphy, Chief Bromden, Miss Ratched, Miss Pilbow, Washington, HardingPatients play basketball while McMurphy talks to Harding about the ward.
R.P. McMurphy, Chief Bromden, Washington, Warren, Harding, Billy BibbitMcMurphy plays blackjack with the patients while the TV is on. He attempts to get the music turned down and medication is dispensed.
R.P. McMurphy, Cheswick, Harding, Sefelt, Billy Bibbit, MartiniMcMurphy gives Chief Bromden a fresh pack of gum.
Chief Bromden, Turkle, R.P. McMurphyPatients are woken up for the day.
Chief Bromden, R.P. McMurphy, Washington, Warren, Miller, Miss RatchedMcMurphy confronts Big Nurse about his cigarettes.
R.P. McMurphy, Miss Ratched, Chief Bromden, Washington, Cheswick, HardingBromden is shaved by Washington.
R.P. McMurphy, Warren, Washington, Chief BromdenPatients eat breakfast.
R.P. McMurphy, Miller, Washington, CheswickGroup meeting where McMurphy proposes changes.
Miss Ratched, Doctor Spivey, Cheswick, R.P. McMurphy, Harding, MartiniPatients play Monopoly and McMurphy bets he can watch the game.
Chief Bromden, R.P. McMurphy, Martini, Scanlon, Cheswick, Billy BibbitBilly apologizes to McMurphy.
Billy Bibbit, R.P. McMurphy, HardingGroup meeting and the World Series vote.
Miss Ratched, Billy Bibbit, R.P. McMurphy, Cheswick, Martini, ScanlonDoctor Spivey tells McMurphy he will be sent to Pendleton.
Doctor Spivey, R.P. McMurphyMcMurphy tries to teach Bromden to play basketball.
Washington, Warren, Martini, Scanlon, Harding, Billy BibbitMcMurphy sneaks out of bed.
Chief Bromden, R.P. McMurphyMcMurphy passes the nurses' station.
R.P. McMurphy, TurkleMcMurphy tries to enter the mess hall.
R.P. McMurphy, Chief BromdenMcMurphy wakes up the patients to tell them he is leaving, then leads them to the mess hall to show them the dumbwaiter as an escape route.
R.P. McMurphy, Chief Bromden, Harding, Billy Bibbit, Cheswick, MartiniMcMurphy shows the patients the dumbwaiter as a way to escape.
R.P. McMurphy, Chief Bromden, Harding, Billy Bibbit, Cheswick, MartiniThe patients navigate the tunnel system, searching for Martini and Scanlon.
R.P. McMurphy, Chief Bromden, Harding, Billy Bibbit, Cheswick, MartiniMcMurphy and the patients find a bus and decide to take it for a ride.
R.P. McMurphy, Chief Bromden, Harding, Billy Bibbit, Cheswick, MartiniThe bus arrives at Depoe Bay, where McMurphy breaks into a building to get supplies and a boat.
R.P. McMurphy, Chief Bromden, Harding, Billy Bibbit, Cheswick, MartiniThe patients go fishing and catch a massive fish, only to be met by the Coast Guard and hospital staff.
R.P. McMurphy, Chief Bromden, Doctor Spivey, Washington, Warren, HardingThe patients return to the hospital, leading to a fight and McMurphy's subsequent transfer to the disturbance ward.
R.P. McMurphy, Chief Bromden, Miss Ratched, Doctor Spivey, Washington, WarrenMcMurphy and Bromden are taken to the disturbance ward, where McMurphy discovers Bromden can speak.
R.P. McMurphy, Chief BromdenMcMurphy undergoes electroshock therapy.
R.P. McMurphyMcMurphy returns to the ward after his shock therapy and prepares for the basketball game.
R.P. McMurphy, Chief Bromden, Miss Ratched, Doctor Spivey, Harding, Billy BibbitThe basketball game between the patients and the aides takes place.
R.P. McMurphy, Miss Ratched, Doctor Spivey, Washington, Warren, MillerMcMurphy introduces Candy and Rose to the ward patients and Big Nurse before a basketball game.
R.P. McMurphy, Chief Bromden, Miss Ratched, Billy Bibbit, Cheswick, MartiniMcMurphy and Bromden plan to sneak the visitors into the ward.
R.P. McMurphy, Chief Bromden, TurkleMcMurphy bribes Turkle to let Candy and Rose into the ward for a party.
R.P. McMurphy, Chief Bromden, Turkle, Candy, RoseMcMurphy uses the intercom to wake the patients for the party.
R.P. McMurphy, Billy Bibbit, CandyThe party continues with drinking and dancing.
R.P. McMurphy, Chief Bromden, Harding, Billy Bibbit, Cheswick, MartiniBig Nurse discovers Billy and Candy together.
Miss Ratched, Billy Bibbit, CandyBilly commits suicide after being confronted by Big Nurse.
R.P. McMurphy, Miss Ratched, Miss Pilbow, Billy BibbitThe ward returns to its routine after McMurphy's attack.
Miss Ratched, Harding, Cheswick, Martini, Sefelt, FredricksonMcMurphy returns to the ward after a lobotomy.
R.P. McMurphy, Chief Bromden, Miss Ratched, Harding, Fredrickson, TaberMcMurphy is brought back to the ward in a catatonic state after a lobotomy, observed by Bromden and the other patients.
Chief Bromden, R.P. McMurphy, Miss Ratched, Washington, Harding, ScanlonBromden suffocates McMurphy with a pillow to end his suffering.
Chief Bromden, R.P. McMurphy, TurkleBromden lifts the heavy machine.
Chief BromdenBromden smashes the window and escapes.
Chief Bromden, TurkleMiss Ratched. Given all the conditions of that sublime relationship, coupled with the subsequent annihilation of all that I held to be sacred, mentally, physically and emotionally, the only thing that I can speculate on, at this late date, is how I will justify the very existence of my life, with or without my dear wife.
Yeah, well, well, well. 'Bout time the rest of the world got a gander at Big Chief Bromden cuttin' down the boulevard, stopping just long enough for virgins... Oh, man, I tell you, I tell you, you'll have women trippin' you and beating you to the floor...
Mister McMurphy, there are old men here who couldn't hear the music at all if it were lower. That music is all they have, and I wish you wouldn't lean against the glass there, your hands are staining the window.
When I first came here I was so scared of being lost I had to holler so they could track me... I figured anything was better than being lost...
McMurphy! I have the warden's promise. If you come down, nobody will hurt you! You'll be in my custody! I promise!
Breakfast! Hell, I know just the place where we can chow down an' thaw out before we shoot back on home. 'Kay?
Come here a minute, Cheswick. You, too, Sefelt. Hey, all you guys, come over here, I wanna show you somethin'.
Like hell we will! We got the muscle standing right here. All we need is a couple gaffin' hooks and some rope.
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