One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest

As one who did not read, One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest, I really enjoyed the film. Something I focused on throughout the film was MacMurphy's effect on the other men in the ward. When he enters the ward and sits in the circle for the first time we see how Mac just listens and how distraught and troubled all the men are. The anger escalates and there is constant disorder.

Throughout the film the characters progress and adapt to Mac, and begin to rebel against the nurse and the change I saw that really interested me was when they all left the ward for the day. Mac gave the men a chance to get out, get an experience and be happy. Mac represents the hope for these men and acts as a voice, as we see them evolve throughout the film to become more confident.

The ending scene represented a large significance as well as a large point in the film because the men don't see Mac, dead... They see the window, and all react ecstatic to him successfully escaping from the ward. I think it's better off that it ends this way and the men don't know it was Chief because it continues to give the men hope and a confident, admirable trait from the men about Mac, while it gives Chief a chance to start over and have Mac reign in him. 

What effect do you think MacMurphy had on the men in the ward?