Manchurian Candidate
by John Frankenheimer
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Product details
Actor: Angela Lansbury, Frank Sinatra, Henry Silva, Janet Leigh, Laurence HarveyDirector: John Frankenheimer
Edition: VHS Tape
Audio: English (Original Language), Analog
Format: Black & White, Closed-captioned, NTSC
Running Time: 129 minutes
Release Date: 1996-08-06
Audience Rating: PG-13 (Parental Guidance Suggested)
Publisher: MGM (Video & DVD)
Studio: MGM (Video & DVD)
VHS Movie Reviews of Manchurian Candidate
Movie Review: The Manchurian Candidate, a political thriller
Summary: 5 Stars
The Manchurian Candidate =
Starring: Frank Sinatra, Laurence Harvey
The political importance of The Manchurian Candidate, a movie based on the novel written by Richard Condon, is excellent because it teaches us how power corrupts and absolute power has the ability to corrupt people, process and society absolutely. Lina Navarini and I set out to see this version first, followed by the remake by Denzel Washington.
Frank Sinatra plays the role of Bennet Marco, an infantryman who experiences recurring nightmares about his last episode during the Korean war, when Soviets kidnap Americans and take them to Manchuria in Communist China, hence the name of the book and film. False memories are implanted in the mind of the soldiers of the platoon and one in particular, Raymond Shaw is provided with recollection to a card with the figure of a Queen of Diamonds that triggers his mind to do whatever he is told, even to murder, without "guilt or fear" therefore, little risk of being discovered.
The purpose behind brain-washing of these Americans is a desire to place a man in the White House that would do anything when triggered by the Russians through the use of the card, imagine the power Russians and Chinese would have if they were to control the United States of America.
But Bennett Marco dreams diametrically opposed images to what they planted in his memory. Upon returning, he told the world that Sergeant Raymond Shaw, played by Laurence Harvey had rescued the platoon soldiers, to the exception of two who perish. He has told the world that Raymond Shaw is the kindest, most generous and brave person they have ever known, when in his dream, he remembers Shaw as a man who had no friends, was despised by most other soldiers, and is responsible for committing the murder of the two who never return.
Shaw is decorated as a war hero, given the medal of honor, a distinction that is rarely awarded, but his dreams make him question whether they have been brained washed to believe Shaw had saved them. At first, Sinatra feels that he may be going mad and goes to see military medical personnel in search for help and support. They too believe he is experiencing post traumatic disorders, and they remove him from any duty, asking him to go on vacation and to rest.
But another member of the platoon is also having the same type dreams and soon they realize that there is more to this story than meets the eye. Sinatra is assigned to get close to Shaw and he unravels a rather sad personal story, where we learn that Shaw's mother has manipulated her son's life in search for fame and glory for her husband who aspires to become the President of the United States. The mother's role is masterfully played by Angela Lansbury, and we soon find ourselves hating this manipulative, controlling, and mad woman. Simply magnificent, don't miss it!
Movie Review: Even in a Post USSR World the Original Still Resonates
Summary: 5 Stars
The original Manchurian Candidate remains a gripping, well executed exploration of paranoia and subterfuge, an impressive feat, considering the film is nearing its 50th anniversary.
Those who have seen the remake with Denzel will be familiar with the basic story, but there are enough differences in the plot and plenty of strong performances to make it worth watching this one as well. The original is certainly the stronger of the two versions, with better character development, particularly of the inwardly-tortured, outwardly-icy Raymond Shaw.
The special edition has a bunch of interviews with the stars of the original, including Sinatra and Lansbury. I found the restored picture and audio quality to be superb. Highly recommended classic.
Movie Review: The Manchurian Candidate (special edition)
Summary: 5 Stars
I bought this film because I couldn't find it at Blockbuster. I had rented the new version with Denzel Washington and really didn't feel that it's story was ever fleshed out or fully developed.
Well, after watching the original, the story really jelled and all of the characters were fully developed. And the acting was superb! It has a bit of a feel for the paranoid in all of us who believe the government is up to something -- and not in a good way.
Movie Review: Before It's Time
Summary: 5 Stars
I love this film. Besides great acting, I think the way it was shot is way ahead of its time. The brainwashing sequence is fascinating. Forget the remake and see one of the best films ever!!!!!!!!!!Movie Review: A Great Cold War Thriller
Summary: 5 Stars
Based on the Richard Condon novel, written by George Axelrod, directed by John Frankenheimer and starring a terrific cast: Frank Sinatra as Maj Marco,tortured by nightmares of an incident he can't remember except as a strange ladies garden party, Lawrence Harvey as a supposed war hero who has been brainwashed to be an assasin when the trigger is used (a little game of solitare) and Angela Lansbury as the most evil mother in the history of movies. One of the first martial arts fights in American cinema takes place between Sinatra and Henry Silva. James Gregory plays a McCarthy-like senator who is being manipulated behind the scenes. A film from another time but still a real tense thriller. Highly recommended to one and all.
Summary of Manchurian Candidate
You will never find a more chillingly suspenseful, perversely funny, or viciously satirical political thriller than The Manchurian Candidate, based on the novel by Richard Condon (author of Winter Kills). The film, withheld from distribution by star Frank Sinatra for almost a quarter century after President Kennedy's assassination, has lost none of its potency over time. Former infantryman Bennet Marco (Sinatra) is haunted by nightmares about his platoon having been captured and brainwashed in Korea. The indecipherable dreams seem to center on Sergeant Raymond Shaw (Laurence Harvey), a decorated war hero but a cold fish of a man whose own mother (Angela Lansbury, in one of the all-time great dragon-lady roles) describes him as looking like his head is "always about to come to a point." Mrs. Bates has nothing on Lansbury's character, the manipulative queen behind her second husband, Senator John Iselin (James Gregory), a notoriously McCarthyesque demagogue. --Jim EmersonClassics Video
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