The Nest of the Cuckoo Birds

The Nest of the Cuckoo Birds (1965) is yet another epic restoration project overseen by the visionary Nicolas Winding Refn. Bert Williams, primarily known as an extra in films, directed this, his sole cinematic endeavor. Reading the synopsis, I anticipated a weighty Southern drama, but the film turned out to be a prime example of trash cinema at its finest.

Beyond the subpar acting and technical flaws, the film boasts a surprisingly bizarre cinematic language, simultaneously immersing the viewer in the events while also keeping them at a distance as a witness.

This film, which I had eagerly added to my Mubi watchlist, took me by surprise. It taught me, at the very least, to never question Nicolas Winding Refn's taste. The director's penchant for the unconventional shines through in his choice to resurrect this forgotten gem.

While the film may not appeal to everyone, its sheer audacity and unabashed embrace of its low-budget aesthetic make it a fascinating watch. The performances, though amateurish, exude a raw energy that is strangely captivating. The plot, while meandering at times, is punctuated by moments of unexpected humor and surrealism.

Technically, the film is rough around the edges, with grainy visuals and inconsistent sound quality. Yet, this only adds to its charm, giving it a gritty, authentic feel that is often lacking in more polished productions.

"The Nest of the Cuckoo Birds" is not a film for the faint of heart. It is a challenging, often uncomfortable viewing experience. But for those willing to venture into the depths of cinematic obscurity, it offers a unique and unforgettable journey.

Long considered lost in the annals of cinematic history, a 35mm print of this Southern Gothic tale was discovered recently in a New York theatre. The film has since been restored and finally shown to audiences with the help of Mubi and film director Nicolas Winding Refn. This film is a classic case of a myth being built up so much that it doesn't quite live up to the reputation. The film is a passion project from star, writer, director, and editor Bert Williams. Williams plays an undercover cop called Johnson whose cover gets blown whilst trying to infiltrate a gang of violent moonshiners.

As he evades the gang through the murky swamps of the deep South, he finds himself washed on a small island. On this small island there's a dilapidated hotel with three somewhat off-kilter inhabitants. Johnson decides to stay at the hotel whilst the heat dies down, except strange occurrences keep happening to make him believe that he's not quite as safe as he thinks he is.

The film clearly draws a-lot of influence from past genre classics, most notably Psycho and Night of the Hunter. The film has an incredibly creepy atmosphere, alongside a couple of scenes with genuinely disturbing imagery. Unfortunately there's not much more to the film then that. The characters in this film aren't well defined or given much characterisation. The biggest issue I had was that the overall story felt dull, and it's not until the final twenty minutes when the plot starts moving that film becomes intriguing.

The film had a lack of urgency in the script and started to meander midway through. Due to the bland, uninteresting characters (and at times pretty bad acting), this film felt like a missed opportunity as the filler in between the interesting plot developments was poorly developed. The film would've made for a fantastic thirty minute short, but instead it's stretched out even with a short run-time of eighty one minutes. It's a shame because the film has some really great moments but not enough to sustain a feature film. In the end it's a film worth seeking out if you have Mubi for the rarity alone. However what you'll get is a B-movie mash up of Psycho and Night of the Hunter intersected with strikingly original moments that'll make you think this could've been a really great film.

Definitely a precursor to Texas Chainsaw Massacre and more as well as outside of film with a song: Title, music and Lyrics that influenced The Cramps... How could you go wrong?

Available through Nicolas Winding Refn's site (for free!) "bynwr"

A great analogy for life on the island and the inn is just like neighborhoods and a lot of cities...

Some absolutely witty lines and set ups that caused me to loudly laugh out loud, enjoyed this with wide eyes not sure what was coming next. When I thought I had it, a twist I didn't see coming.

Loved it! Killer Soundtrack for a Killer Movie where every one might just be a...

If you tell me that a film is extremely rare &/or was lost for decades and miraculously resurfaced or got resurrected, chances are that this will equate to some immediate interest. This one turned out to not ultimately work as a mystery thriller, but still proved to be worth a look. Just have to add that if the character Harold's beard was fake, it has to have been one of the worst in the history of makeup, but if it was real that would be even more disturbing.

I saw this film at the Drive-In, I believe it was The Arrow, when I was 11. The producers invited everyone who showed up free pizza at the end of the film. Both of my parents were in the film. I remember my Dad telling me that they lost a reel of the film when they were shooting in the Everglades which is why the story may not seem to flow very well. They didn't have the budget to re-shoot what they lost.