Jack Nicholson’s role in classic movie One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest has been named the greatest movie performance of all time. Screen experts from Total Film magazine ranked his role as charismatic mental patient RP McMurphy in the adaptation of Ken Kesey’s book as the top portrayal.
Robert De Niro’s role in Raging Bull was runner-up in the magazine’s list of the 200 best performances, while Daniel Day-Lewis was third for There Will Be Blood.
Nicholson won an Oscar for his appearance as McMurphy in the 1975 film.
Total Film deputy editor Jamie Graham said: “Perfectly capturing the anti-hero, anti-establishment spirit of the time, he combines danger, charisma, courage, anguish and humour, while the wild-haired, wild-eyed lunacy that would consume some of his later performances is here deployed sparingly and strategically.” – (PA)