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The Manchurian Candidate (1962) -Trailer Included
The Manchurian Candidate
Director:John Frankenheimer
Writer:George Axelrod
Starring:Frank Sinatra, Laurence Harvey, Janet Leigh, Angela Lansbury, Henry Silva
Picture:B&W
Cinematography:Lionel Lindon
“Why don't you pass the time with a game of solitaire?” - Mrs Iselin
Ahead of its time, The Manchurian Candidate shocked audiences on release and as time has passed garnered a reputation as the ultimate conspiracy theory thriller. Based on the controversial novel by Richard Condon this is a film shrouded in mythology and real life parrels.
In the 70’s the film disappeared and speculation began that it was pulled from circulation by the U.S government, due to it similarities to the Lee Harvey Oswald assassination of JFK. (It was just Frank Sinatra being lazy once he got the rights for the film at the time.)
Stories of mind control and brainwashing programs funded by powerful governments still continue to this day.
For fear of ruining anymore of the plot twists and surprises I will keep the details brief.
Korea 1952, a group of 77 US soldiers return home after the war.
SFC Raymond Shaw (Laurence Harvey) is a medal of honour winner for courage under fire he receives a heroes welcome, care of his manipulative and politically minded mother (Angela Lansbury).
“It's a terrible thing to hate your mother. But I didn't always hate her. When I was a child, I only kind of disliked her.” – Raymond Shaw
Turning his back on his callous family he heads to New York with the promise of working as a news journalist.
In Washington D.C another G.I from the same squad, Captain Bennet Marco (Frank Sinatra) is haunted by a shocking, recurring dream that includes Raymond and his men.
“I've been having this nightmare. A real swinger of a nightmare, too” -Marco
Confused and determined to find answers, Marco begins his quest for the truth and soon discovers he is not the only one suffering and that there may be a larger plan at work.
“There are two kinds of people in this world: Those that enter a room and turn the television set on, and those that enter a room and turn the television set off.” – Raymond Shaw
John Doe says:
As a child of the 70’s colour TV revolution and early surround sound, like most I was prejudice against black and white films. This movie changed my mind forever with its stark and surreal mood, obscure camera angles and eye opening screenplay.
Director John Frankenheimer (Seconds, All Fall Down, Seven Days In May, Birdman of Alcatraz, I walk The Line, Ronin) cemented his reputation as a skilled filmmaker with this cinema classic. Assured and confident the many strands are held together and come together in a clear coherent finale.
The script by George Axelrod (Breakfast at Tiffany’s, The 7 Year Itch) works on the surface as a powerful and affecting thriller but lurking beneath is a rich subtext that with each subsequent screening exposes the underlying social, political and sexual core.
The B&W cinematography feels authentic. The thoughtful camera set ups and purposeful use of shadow and light create an unsettled atmosphere of paranoia that keeps your mind at attention.
Frank Sinatra (From Here To Eternity, The Detective, Von Ryan’s Express, List of Adrian Messenger) though sometimes hit and miss onscreen, he is focused and convincing in this. He also gets to have one of the first martial arts fight scenes ever put in a U.S film.
Angela Lansbury (All Fall Down, The Picture Of Dorian Gray, Bedknobs and Broomsticks) is the antithesis of her sugary sweet Jessica Fletcher from Murder She Wrote. Playing the mother from hell to perfection and making the character one of the most hated in cinema history.
Laurence Harvey (Butterfield 8, Darling, Of Human Bondage) will always be remembered primarily for his central part in this film. Possibly now also as the father of Domino Harvey, the ill fated real-life model turned assassin.
A cinematic milestone that has survived the test of time, stands up to scrutiny and defined a genre.
The DVD:
Presented in its original aspect ratio with a remastered mono soundtrack the film looks better than ever. There is a Director's commentary which is not listed on the sleeve but is a very welcome surprise. John Frankenheimer is knowledgeable and provides a wealth of information about this much discussed film. The trailer is also included.
You can read some interesting information about mind programming here and here
You can view the surreal trailer below-
DVD Cover
Writer:George Axelrod
Picture:B&W
Cinematography:Lionel Lindon
“Why don't you pass the time with a game of solitaire?” - Mrs Iselin
Ahead of its time, The Manchurian Candidate shocked audiences on release and as time has passed garnered a reputation as the ultimate conspiracy theory thriller. Based on the controversial novel by Richard Condon this is a film shrouded in mythology and real life parrels.
In the 70’s the film disappeared and speculation began that it was pulled from circulation by the U.S government, due to it similarities to the Lee Harvey Oswald assassination of JFK. (It was just Frank Sinatra being lazy once he got the rights for the film at the time.)
Stories of mind control and brainwashing programs funded by powerful governments still continue to this day.
For fear of ruining anymore of the plot twists and surprises I will keep the details brief.
Korea 1952, a group of 77 US soldiers return home after the war.
SFC Raymond Shaw (Laurence Harvey) is a medal of honour winner for courage under fire he receives a heroes welcome, care of his manipulative and politically minded mother (Angela Lansbury).
Turning his back on his callous family he heads to New York with the promise of working as a news journalist.
In Washington D.C another G.I from the same squad, Captain Bennet Marco (Frank Sinatra) is haunted by a shocking, recurring dream that includes Raymond and his men.
“I've been having this nightmare. A real swinger of a nightmare, too” -Marco
Confused and determined to find answers, Marco begins his quest for the truth and soon discovers he is not the only one suffering and that there may be a larger plan at work.
“There are two kinds of people in this world: Those that enter a room and turn the television set on, and those that enter a room and turn the television set off.” – Raymond Shaw
"Thats no way to play cards kid. Lets go hit Vegas and I will give you a tour of the casinos me and some pals ripped off"
As a child of the 70’s colour TV revolution and early surround sound, like most I was prejudice against black and white films. This movie changed my mind forever with its stark and surreal mood, obscure camera angles and eye opening screenplay.
Director John Frankenheimer (Seconds, All Fall Down, Seven Days In May, Birdman of Alcatraz, I walk The Line, Ronin) cemented his reputation as a skilled filmmaker with this cinema classic. Assured and confident the many strands are held together and come together in a clear coherent finale.
The script by George Axelrod (Breakfast at Tiffany’s, The 7 Year Itch) works on the surface as a powerful and affecting thriller but lurking beneath is a rich subtext that with each subsequent screening exposes the underlying social, political and sexual core.
The B&W cinematography feels authentic. The thoughtful camera set ups and purposeful use of shadow and light create an unsettled atmosphere of paranoia that keeps your mind at attention.
Frank Sinatra (From Here To Eternity, The Detective, Von Ryan’s Express, List of Adrian Messenger) though sometimes hit and miss onscreen, he is focused and convincing in this. He also gets to have one of the first martial arts fight scenes ever put in a U.S film.
Angela Lansbury (All Fall Down, The Picture Of Dorian Gray, Bedknobs and Broomsticks) is the antithesis of her sugary sweet Jessica Fletcher from Murder She Wrote. Playing the mother from hell to perfection and making the character one of the most hated in cinema history.
Laurence Harvey (Butterfield 8, Darling, Of Human Bondage) will always be remembered primarily for his central part in this film. Possibly now also as the father of Domino Harvey, the ill fated real-life model turned assassin.
A cinematic milestone that has survived the test of time, stands up to scrutiny and defined a genre.
The DVD:
Presented in its original aspect ratio with a remastered mono soundtrack the film looks better than ever. There is a Director's commentary which is not listed on the sleeve but is a very welcome surprise. John Frankenheimer is knowledgeable and provides a wealth of information about this much discussed film. The trailer is also included.
You can read some interesting information about mind programming here and here
You can view the surreal trailer below-
Will now have to dig deep into my collection and line this film up for viewing this week.
Great work
Film & TV on DVD
Interesting you mention out of date because they recently remade this film and had nothing new to add the story which really is testament to how good this original is.
Thanks for the visit
Film & TV on DVD
Remakes should be left to TV movie of the weeks 90% of the time.
Shame so many people pay to see em creating box office that keep the studios recycling classic material.
IMO if you are going to remake something, choose a film that was sub par to begin with and showed oodles of potential. Somnething that would actually be benifit from and improve with modern technology and more inspired storytelling.
Hunt Famous
Orble Post of the Day
Fat Cult
Techbreak
coming to the xmas party?
Film & TV on DVD
I saw the remake of Manchurian Candidate, nothing special. Certainly no new ideas.
As for the X mas party Im going to try and make it.