Rating: 
Summary: Oh My~ What I have been missing!
Review: I've finally watched this masterpiece last weekend. I had had a doubt regarding the title (thought it's a musical comedy!). Well, it turned out to be one of my best experiences with political thriller movies (never mind 'no way out' kinda hollywood cr*ps). Although it has quite strong anti-russia feel (or has it?), overall this is a great movie. Actors and actresses are great! Miss Lansbury smokes!!!! WOW, this is the word to describe her performance in this movie. The last scene at the Garden is....one of the best last scenes. REMEMBER, DO NOT LET OTHERS TALK ABOUT THE LAST SCENE TO YOU BEFORE YOU WATCH IT!!! That said....you can read so many positive reviews here which I agree with. Now there are two things I'd like to comment. In the opening scene, the Bar scene. To my Korean eyes, none of the girls looks like a Korean. Worst of all, the old lady (Gerturude?) is wearing a chinese cloth... Second, the man (actor) Sinatra fights is not korean. His name is Henry Silva, a great actor with Puerto Rican heritage. I couldn't help smiling at their 'karate' fighting scene. Wasn't there any stuntman who could teach them a little bit of Karate, TaeKwondo (this could be the choice because Silva was portraying a north korean agent, Chun Jin (again, a name I cannot imagine as a Korean name) or Kung Fu? But if you pass these scenes...to the last scene, you will have a best experience of your movie watching! Strongly recommended!
Rating:
Summary: One of the best movies ever made....
Review: The story revolves around Sgt. Raymond Shaw ( Laurence Harvey). He has just come back from the war a Medal of Honor winner for saving the lives of his platoon. He is a hero in everyone's eyes from the men in his platoon, to the general public. All except his commanding officer Col. Bennet Marco (Frank Sinatra). Marco is suffering from nightmares involving the entire platoon being captured by the Red Chinese and being subject to sadistic mind control experiments, where Raymond is trained as a top assasin. Marco tries to convince the Army that the Medal of Honor was just a front and that Shaw is a deadly killer. However, they also love Raymond and refuse to believe what Marco is saying. Now it is up to Marco alone, to stop Raymond before it is too late. Stop him before he has a chance to play a "little game of solitare". The performances in this film are phenomenal. Lawrence Harvey is outstanding as Raymond Shaw. We see two sides to the character. The first being Raymond himself who can prove to be a great guy, a jerk, and a nervous wreck all in one. The second is the cold, calculated assasin. Both are done equally well. Frank Sinatra is without a doubt one of the true American legends. Major Bennet Marco is without a doubt the best role that he ever played. I love the struggle of one man against many to prove the truth. This is Sinatra's fight for the whole film. Janet Leigh did a nice job as Sinatra's love interest. John Gregory gives the film's funniest role with Senator John Iselin. He is the puppet and Angela Lansbury is the puppeteer. He does whatever she says. It is hilarious. The best performance of the film, and one of the best I have ever seen period, was given by Angela Lansbury as Mrs. Iselin. One of the most evil and coniving women that I have ever seen in a movie. A truly unforgettable performance. What makes the role so good, is that she is Raymond's mother. "The Manchurian Candidate" is the most suspenseful film that I have ever seen. I think the thing that impresses me the most is the fact that the film still holds up extremely well, despite the fact that it was made over 40 years ago. The story itself is amazing. The topic of mind control provides for paranoia, conspiracy, and overall terror and suspense. One of the most chilling phrases that I have ever heard was "How about a nice game of solitare." The film also provides for tons of action as well. If you are a person who loves suspense, you cannot go wrong with this film. Mind control, government conspiracy, and the fight of one man against many are all woven together to create a well rounded story, and the actors all give the performances of their careers. The DVD is very affordable and offers an interview with Frank Sinatra, and the director John Frankenheimer.
Rating:
Summary: Chilling Cold-War Thriller
Review: 1962's THE MANCHURIAN CANDIDATE is a story of cold-war politics and intrigue that is every bit as engaging today as it was before the purported end of THE cold war. Based on the novel by Richard Condon (author of PRIZZI'S HONOR), the film is usually categorized as a political thriller, though it is often more intense and frightening than many contemporary slasher or horror films due to a depiction of drug-induced brainwashing and subliminal mind control that is not all that improbable (especially now, in light of the vast and astonishing strides that have since been made in medicine and other technologies). Indeed, after the shooting of President Kennedy in late 1963, many suspected that that THE MANCHURIAN CANDIDATE may have actually served as a blueprint for the "conspiracy" behind the assassination, and the film's plot seemingly hit so close to home that longtime Kennedy supporter and associate Frank Sinatra, one of the film's stars, used his influence to keep the movie out of reach of the moviegoing public for several years thereafter. The acting in this movie is simply superb. Frank Sinatra's portrayal of a troubled Korean War veteran is arguably the best of his career, and as the titular character, Laurence Harvey creates a sympathetic yet unnerving portrait of a man whose mind and fate are no longer under his own control. Angela Lansbury--seen in recent years on TV's popular MURDER, SHE WROTE--gives an outstanding and convincing performance as the conniving and egoistic mother of brainwashed "war-hero" Raymond Shaw (Laurence Harvey). There are also good performances from a strong supporting cast, including the beautiful Janet Leigh (of PSYCHO fame) and character actor James Gregory (probably better known as Inspector Luger on TV's BARNEY MILLER). The DVD release from MGM offers a few nice extras, including an interesting and sometimes insightful feature commentary from director John Frankenheimer. The digital transfer is good, though it could have used some clean-up of scratches and artifacts. In short, the overall DVD quality and the very reasonable price make purchase of this classic psychological thriller a no-brainer (no pun intended).
Rating: 
Summary: Excellent Classic Thriller
Review: The Manchurian Candidate, starring Frank Sinatra, Janet Leigh, and Angela Lansbury, is a well-acted film based on the novel about a mind-controlled assassin created to facilitate a political coup. Sinatra is the former army colleague of the man programmed for the deed, and he begins to have nightmares about the experience where his unit was captured in Korea and then brainwashed by Russian & Chinese personnel. Laurence Harvey plays the programmed killer, who is promoted as a war hero (and the other unit members programmed to praise him even though his real personality was unpleasant). Sinatra's character begins to work with military intelligence to uncover the Harvey character's memories and uncover the full plot, which involves the mother of the programmed assassin, played by Lansbury as the wife of a U.S. Senator seeking the Presidential nomination on the heels of his McCarthy-esque tirades against communists in the government. This clever plot unfolds with a smooth pace, and Janet Leigh provides a stylish role as Sinatra's romantic interest as he pursues the main mystery. The DVD has some extra commentary on the film, with Sinatra & the director providing their insights, although there could have been more bonus material and improved picture quality for the DVD transfer.
Rating:
Summary: Candidate for the Best Political Satire of its Time
Review: Have you ever seen Frank Sinatra kicking a Korean man and shouting: What was Raymond doing with his hands? No? Well, here is your chance. Quite seriously though, this is one of the better movies out there. It turns out Raymond was brainwashed into becoming an unconscionable killing machine, and his hand movements were imitating a game of solitaire--the trigger for thoughtless actions, including the taking of human life. The movie is a dark political satire that exposes politics as a game in which the lust for power is the dominant motive. Angela Lansbury is here in one of her best roles as a traitorous witch behind a bluffing, blustering, Joseph McCarthy-ite Senator. This is also one of Sinatra's better roles, as he displays quite a range of acting: from depressed aloofness to irrepressible violence. The movie has real characters, even though there was a danger it would end up with stick figures and straw men. But no, everything is done superbly, including the McCarthy-ite thug of the Senate and the liberal senator with a milk cartons. Even the Russian operative from the Pavlov Institute in Moscow is a real character.... "always with a touch of humor."
Rating:
Summary: A Cold War Chiller
Review: Regrettably, this film was inaccessible for many years because of concerns about its subject matter following the killing of President Kennedy within a year after the film's release. There were also legal disputes which delayed its re-release until 1987. Directed by John Frankenheimer, it examines a hypothetical but plausible plot to assassinate a Presidential candidate so that his running mate, Senator John Iselin (James Gregory), will then be elected and thereby under total control of a foreign power (presumably China). It would be unfair to those who have not as yet seen this film to say more about the narrative. Sinatra plays Captain Ben Marco who is given primary responsibility for identifying and then stopping the assassin. The plot resembles a jigsaw puzzle in certain respects as both Marco and we struggle to fit the various pieces together. The sub plot involves Sergeant Raymond Shaw (Harvey), stepson of Senator Iselin, who retires from military service after being awarded a Congressional Medal of Honor. Amidst several strong performances, Angela Lansbury's is most impressive as the dimwitted Senator Iselin's shrewd and assertive wife. Under Frankenheimer's crisp and sure direction, the tension slowly but relentlessly builds as the nominating convention approaches. I am among those who think the inclusion of Rosie (Janet Leigh) is unnecessary, if not a distraction. Two performances are noteworthy: Gregory as Iselin and John McGiver as his staunch adversary, Senator Thomas Jordan. After more than 40 years, the film still has a sharp edge. When I first saw the film, I did not expect the climax, one which still retains its emotional impact. Memories of certain scenes, especially of dominant images, are indelible. This is probably Frankenheimer's greatest achievement as a director.
Rating:
Summary: John Frankenheimer's Masterpiece!!
Review: Frank Sinatra proved time and time again that we was an all around entertainer with his powerful acting job. Laurence Harvey is outstanding as the doomed brainwashed victim. But Angela Landsbury steals the show as the power hungry mother. This movie still sends chills up my spine. It's director John Frankenheimer's greatest movie he ever made.
Rating:
Summary: An example of brilliant filmmaking
Review: I had heard of this film, but never really took the initiative to see it until I picked it for a writing assignment in a film class. I was pleasantly surprised at how good it really was. I now rank it among my favorite movies. The story is perfectly paced and filled with suprising twists, intrigue and suspense. All of the characters are fleshed out and portrayed brilliantly. The mother (played by Angela Lansbury) is one of the coldest villainesses I've ever come across. A standout performance is given by Laurence Harvey in the role of tragic hero Raymond Shaw. It's too bad his popularity as an actor seems to have waned; he really was wonderfully talented (not to mention quite handsome!). All in all, this film holds its own against any modern political thriller. There are rumors of a remake; let's see it try to beat the original.
Rating:
Summary: Disturbing, well acted, well directed
Review: Lawrence Harvey was a brilliant actor, but one that tended to put people off with his aloofness bordering on arrogance. But this movie is not about likable people. It's about control, dirty politics, communism, and the anti-communist witch-hunts that took their toll on Hollywood and Washington. Harvey's distance works perfectly as Raymond Shaw, but even in the dis-likable Raymond, Frankenheimer pulls out moments of pathos. In a tour de force, Harvey is perfect as the man controlled by his mother, by forces the brainwashed him. He gives a bleak insight into the character of Raymond, a man driven to do things he has no idea why, and man so manipulated by his harpy mother, a 'gun' that has been loaded waiting for the trigger to be pulled, one that kills the woman he loves without hesitation. But his brilliance does not dominate the film, because there are so many other superb performance by this All Star Cast. And oddly, John Frankenheimer in untypical Hollywood style, cast against roles and demanded such range from all the actors. Angela Landsbury (Murder, She Wrote) built a career of being the person everyone adored, yet in this film she is the woman behind the man...the true power. She is hard-edged, totally manipulative, rather ugly in spirit, and determined at all costs to change the face of US politics. Frank Sinatra, usually Mr. Macho, comes across as a man a tormented by dreams that made no sense, but keep him convinced something is terrible wrong, with him, with Harvey, with all the men of their unit. Many consider this Sinatra's best performance. Janet Leigh is warm as the woman who falls in love with Sinatra, though under used. James Gregory play Landsbury's husband, the wishy-washy Joe McCarthy-type senator, who is merely his wife's mouthpiece and puppet. John McGiver gives a fine supporting performance as the voice of reason, a senator who would block at all costs Landsbury pushing her husband's bid for the presidency. The edgy, black and white lensing, gives a dated feel to the movie, but actually enforces the cold war era sensation, a perfect medium for Frankenheimer's anti-McCarthyism rant. Landsbury won an Oscar nomination and a Golden Globe for this performance. It's well deserved. It's not a likable film, its not a comfortable film and maybe a little hard for younger generations to appreciate the horror, the tension of the cold war and McCarthyism, but is a film so brilliant it needs repeat viewing to appreciate all the small nuances.
Rating: 
Summary: Entertaining but defintely dated
Review: The Manchurian Candidate. Frank Sinatra, Laurence Harvey, Angela Lansbury, Janet Leigh, James Gregory. Dir. John Frankenheimer. 1962. Hailed as a classic by cineastes this weird[]little movie is actually most notable as a record of the American mind-set in the early Sixties. It opens with some US servicemen being kidnapped and imprisoned by North Koreans (coincidentally the same opening scenario as the most recent Bond flick, Die Another Day, so some things never change, it seems). The captives, including Sergeant Shaw (Harvey) and Major Marco (Sinatra), are subjected to brainwashing, which culminates in a bizarre scene where the American prisoners believe that their Communist captors are actually elderly American members of the ladies auxiliary (who even change their race from white to black and back again). We next see the prisoners on their release to the US. Shaw is the son of the Machiavellian Mrs Iselin (Lansbury), who is married to aspiring Presidential candidate Senator John Iselin (Gregory). Shaw, it turns out, is the Commies' brainwashed killer, ready to be triggered by only a phone call and a glimpse of the playing card the Queen of Diamonds. Obviously people played a lot more solitaire back then, so a pack of cards would always have been ready to hand. (Another trivial but enjoyable contemporary detail is the soldiers' warning each other at the start of the movie about quicksand. Whatever happened to quicksand? In the Fifties it was everywhere. Now you never see it in the movies. Not even Bond movies. Did it all dry up because of global warming or what?). In any case, Marco must cope with the after-effects of his own brainwashing, identify Shaw as the (unwitting) killer mole and stop him before he subverts the democratic process (with a rifle).
The movie is well-paced and acted, including a somewhat out-of-place love interest for Sinatra, played by Janet Leigh. Harvey's English accent is also a little odd in such an American movie, but perhaps part of the Hollywood tradition of making every cold fish a Brit. Lansbury (looking not all that different from the way she looks now) is especially effective as a twisted and villainous schemer. The film has its satirical elements as well, although it is not primarily a satire as some reviews seem to suggest. Gregory's portrayal of the craven, red-baiting Senator is particularly entertaining. The score by David Amram is also said to be noteworthy and has even been released on CD (although I didn't pay much attention to it on first viewing).
Where the film is primarily interesting, however, is as a cultural document. The possibility of brainwashing spoke to contemporary anxieties in such a way as to make plausible a plot device which today would seem ludicrous, if not in its substance, then certainly in the way it is presented. Moreover, after the assassination of President Kennedy the film was pulled from distribution by Sinatra (who had bought the rights) and it remained on ice until 1988. This was allegedly in part because of a dispute about profits with the studio but also possibly because of the thematic similarity of the movie and the real event. So both the film and its brainwashing premise packed a weight back then that they simply wouldn't today. Of course, current movies also rely on implausible hypotheses. The Matrix, for example, is wildly implausible. But it simply doesn't feel as silly as the brainwashing scene in Candidate (although viewers in 30 years will likely have a different opinion). What is interesting is how standards regarding the suspension of disbelief change.
The film also brings to mind Alan Pakula's The Parallax View (1974, with Warren Beatty), a movie which is also fascinated by psychological control, and, of course, conspiracy, although it plays on post-Watergate, as opposed to Red Menace, paranoia. The climactic convention scene of Candidate, in particular, is in some ways strikingly similar to the final scenes in Parallax. No doubt both films must have appeared much more chilling on release than they do today. The "psychological" sequence, where Beatty views the Parallax Corporation Audition film, has an especially dated feel.
For those who haven't seen it, The Manchurian Candidate is probably best approached with the expectation of a rather lighter movie than the heavy thriller it is reputed to be. The opening is still striking, although, with the passage of time, and like the film as a whole, perhaps not in quite the way its authors intended.
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