2. Randle P. McMurphy (One Flew Over The Cukoos Nest)
Jack Nicholsons turn as Randle P. McMurphy is easily one of the finest of his career and the protagonist of Miloš Formans classic film has gone down as one of the most beloved characters in the history of cinema. Even in the face of the overwhelming hatred of one of cinemas greatest villains, Nurse Ratched, he is able to continue his wise-cracking and stay positive, epitomised in that memorable scene where he imagines himself watching the World Series after the malevolent ruler of the ward forbids it. It is under the rallying cry of McMurphy that the ill-treated patients (or is it inmates?) of the psychiatric hospital rebel against Ratcheds control. For opposing the wicked nurse for the good of the many, Mac arguably pays a price worse than death as he is lobotomised. In the emotionally harrowing final scene, the Chief smothers his old friend with his pillow rather than seeing him exist in that state. The sacrifice made by McMurphy for the other patient instantly links him to Jesus. Further as far as we know practically all of the patients in the ward are guilty of some manner of sin, so Macs atoning for their crimes by eventually sacrificing his own life further links him with the son of God. Mac also possesses messianic qualities everyone in the ward looks to him as a guide to lead them to salvation from the Antichrist figure, Nurse Ratched. His humour and charisma may charm us, but it is the altruistic actions and self-sacrifice of Randle P. McMurphy that make him such an enduring cinematic hero and without doubt a Christ-figure.
Sam Heard
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Hailing from South East London, Sam Heard is an aspiring writer and recent graduate from the University of Warwick. Sam's favourite things include energy drinks, late nights spent watching the UFC with his girlfriend and annihilating his friends at FIFA.
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