1962 political and social thriller brilliantly directed by John Frankenheimer that remains to this day the perfect blend of psychological manipulation and a mystery that must be solved. Angela Lansbury’s performance of “ultimate evil” is a portrayal that leaves goose bumps on just about any viewer.

The GOOD –

Garden Scene. The way in which Frankenheimer directed this scene is just breath taking. The way in which he changes perspectives back and forth and has chosen where to cut between these perspectives will leave viewers entranced just as the characters are. Plus the actions, and the peaceful way they are carried out, will send shivers down your back. How can one man be trained to shoot a fellow solider in the head, or strangle another? From what I’ve read the fear was very apparent that the enemy could in theory develop a technique to capture our American soldiers and turn them against their own country.

Angela Lansbury. I grew up having quite a dislike for Angela Lansbury. Being forced to watch Murder She Wrote each Sunday night is just about enough to drive any young man insane. She was just too bubbly for my taste. Then, I saw The Manchurian Candidate. Ouch! Thank god she wasn’t my mother. She manipulates her son in ways that are so evil they cannot easily be put into words. Lansbury does this all with her few scenes and with very little actions besides the sound of her voice, the way in which her mouth speaks each evil word to perfection, and her constant glares that put her up there in the ranks of Anthony Hopkins performance in Silence of the Lambs. Pure evil.

Laurence Harvey. Again, another performance of a life-time. Harvey as Raymond Shaw is in his own zone throughout much of the movie. He’s clam yet in his head he’s a pot ready to boil over. The script does give him the opportunity to smile and even laugh and cry – but he’s best when hes quiet and acting like a prisoner inside of his own mind.

Frankenheimer. Here’s a man who has been in films for quite some time. His last picture (that I saw) was Ronin and he clearly proved that he has a craft for creating films that are simple yet extremely complex. The Manchurian Candidate was and still is, the best film of his career.

The Other Frank. Frank Sinatra delivers a convincing performance as a brainwashed solider who begins to suspect that something isn’t quite right with the whole situation. He keeps things calm even though I do wonder what he was thinking during his action sequence (see The BAD for more on that).

The BAD –

The Fight Sequence. Now, what was up with that? The first time I saw it I almost laughed heartily out loud. Here’s a fight sequence between an Asian male maid and Frank Sinatra. The stances that these two actors take throughout the fight sequence looks completely ridiculous. Plus, they crash through this and that – and by the time it’s all over the movie simply goes on with very little thought about what happened.

Lame Leigh. What’s up with her performance in his film? She stands around making confusing statements that for some reason attract Frank Sinatra’s romantic bone. She has nothing to do with the story – even though she’s billed as one of the stars in the picture. Plus, she adds to the confusion of the film – but not in a good way. During her scene on a train I could of sworn she was a member of the enemy, but I guess I was wrong on that regard. If anyone knows more about her character please leave me a note in the comments section.

Old Timer. This really isn’t a bad – at least not to me, but I thought I should warn some readers out there that yes, this film is in black and white with very minor amounts of background music. The film is extremely dialogue heavy so take the wax out of your ears and be prepared to listen and pay attention to what is said instead of what is just seen.

The DID YOU KNOW SECTION –

Did you know that Frank Sinatra was in fact the main star of The Manchurian Candidate; over Angela Lansbury, Laurence Harvey, and Janet Leigh – so much in fact that director Frankenheimer ordered or pushed Sinatra very little throughout the films production? Some say, this is why Sinatra comes off as lame and his portrayal to some almost makes The Manchurian Candidate a Manchurian Mess.

Did you know that one year after The Manchurian Candidate was released, President John F. Kennedy Jr., was assassinated and because of this The Manchurian Candidate was pulled from the shelves where it sat for almost 20 years? Imagine that. A national horrific event occurs today and Collateral Damage is shelved for less than 6 months – but back then, movies could disappear for decades.

Did you know that Angela Lansbury was only three years older than Laurence Harvey? Kind of a young mamma! Could be a Ricky Lake segment.

Did you know that many American film goers thought that John Frankenheimer was an up-and-coming director after his 1998 release Ronin – even though by that time he had in fact directed thirty-four films, his fourth being The Manchurian Candidate?

The BOTTOM LINE IN OVER 30 WORDS –

The Manchurian Candidate still stands today as perhaps the best presentation of a social/political action thriller. Angela Lansbury gives the performance of her lifetime – one in fact that forgives the happy grandma roles she infuses on us today. Most have probably never heard of Laurence Harvey – but his performance is calm yet incredibly chilling. The dream sequences put the viewer in the dream, the story intrigues us as to what is really going to happen in the end – and the ending is…well, quite a shocker.


Recommended:
Yes

Viewing Format: DVD