Rating: 
Summary: A mystery in a riddle
Review: An American classic that is a very different film from what it's often said to be. It's described as one of the first to attack the McCarthy communism trials, when in fact, when all is said and done, it portrays communism as a very real threat. The movie is said to point out the fallacy of those who investigated communism, but that can only be said by those who didn't watch the entire film - in a bizarre and suspenseful manner (I'm trying to say this without giving away too much), those who appear to be using communist witch hunts for personal gain are shown, in fact, to be justifiably concerned, although perhaps - as the film portrays it - in spite of themselves, in a way.The film begins with Major Bennett Marco, played very convincingly by the legendary Frank Sinatra, as a Korean War veteran who is experiencing very stark nightmares related to his experiences in the war and his capture by the Chinese. (Many people in alive today, especially younger generations, have no idea that many of the greatest casualties and fiercest fighting during the war known as "The Korean War" actually involved the Communist Chinese. Nor do many people know that China was - and still is - a communist country, and that communist leaders historically have avowed that one of their ultimate goals is the destruction of the United States. This is not Hollywood, this is history, but Hollywood uses - and often abuses - this fact for dramatic effect. It remains a fact nevertheless, regardless of the degree to which Hollywood often tries to discount the threat.) It turns out that his brainwashed mind is attempting to break down the walls of confusion, although his mind alone is having difficulty breaking down the barriers. The issues of mind control that the film explores were reportedly treated seriously by the intelligence communities of the superpowers involved in the film. You could argue if this movie is "science-fiction" or "science-fact", and I would say that "science-fact" would win. But decide for yourself. This is one of the many classic films that so deftly navigates through suspense, mystery, intrigue, and horror, without the predictable full color surgery-cable-channel-style special effects that too many modern films resort to. This is an example of intelligent film making, and of a movie that had a significant impact on American culture. The VHS box includes these facts about the movie: "Withdrawn from circulation after the assassination of President Kennedy and later subject to a distribution dispute, the film was re-released to wide acclaim in 1987. Although she played his mother, Best Supporting Actress Oscar-nominee (1962) Angela Lansbury was only three years older than Laurence Harvey." Highly recommended. Rated PG-13, a rating that didn't exist when the film was first created, but is appropriate. Not for kids, but not due to language or violence, rather for intense and sometimes disturbing plot.
Rating:
Summary: A little solitaire
Review: This is a great movie to see on your own, when you can give it your full attention. At first glance it may seem trite and no different really than the thousands of other political thrillers that have been made. Except this one has something that the others lack. Only a few minutes into this film you realize that this film is original. Not just original, but THE original. Even without having to be told, you know after watching this movie that it was the first time a story was ever treated like this. It has the mark of something that is breaking new ground, and every political thriller you see after this will give you a somewhat stale taste in your mouth since you have now experienced what true freshness is. The story of a medal of honor winner who may not have deserved it after all is a study in psychology, mystery, and family. It combines these elements flawlessly though it does add what might otherwise be some unnecessary plot elements. The picture does not do enough with Janet Leigh so she gets slightly marginalized and her scenes seem extra almost. I recommend this movie highly as the definition of what a true political thriller is, and what all current ones should strive to be.
Rating:
Summary: Great Movie
Review: My wife had to watch this movie as part of a college course. I read the description on the back of the box and thought BORING. It was definitely not borrng,and after watching it I had to buy it, it is a great movie.
Rating:
Summary: Great Suspense Drama
Review: One of the best films ever made. The nightmare scene was skillfully done.
Rating:
Summary: a real shocker
Review: if you view this film with the awareness that the Cuban Missile Crisis was happening at it's time of release, you will be able to fully appreciate the impact this film must have had on the people who lived in that era. the story will definitely provoke some serious thought. it's about an elaborate communist plot to takeover the American government. as for the DVD, the layout is very relevantly decored according to the theme of the movie. it also includes interviews, audio commentary, production notes and the original theatrical trailer. the transfer is also very good.
Rating:
Summary: A Fantastic Flick
Review: This is by far my favorite kind of movie. I am a political junkie (Republican/Libertarian if you must ask), love international intrigue and Sinatra. I first saw this at a film festival when I was 13 and would not see it again until one night in college after a few too many gin & tonics. I then remembered the imagery that came back and wanted to play solitaire… okay not solitaire. But what this movie does do is it makes you realize the period. Done in era where anti-Communist sentiment ran strong and fears of war was as normal as the Today show is to us, this movie reminds me of a time when I did not live. Okay enough with the sappy metaphor and unclear logic. This movie is fantastic for so many reasons. First, Frank Sinatra, the standard bearer of my grandparents’ generation, puts on an incredible performance. For those of us younger viewers, the concept may be difficult because the acting is so stylized and the filming technique makes it feel like a movie not a documentary. But, nonetheless this guy wasn’t an actor by trade but would make you think that this was as natural as his voice is. Second, the story is incredible and truly makes you wonder why no one writes like that any more. You are taken on such a journey and are never quite sure until the end how the tale of politics, assasiniation and [...] is going to spin together. Finally, the movie has such strong acting by other characters as to realize that perhaps needing a big name on the marquis will get people in the door, but only solid acting by everyone else gets the ticket buyer (or the DVD buyer) home happy. The cast carries their roles impeccablely and truly makes this a great piece of cinema.
Rating: 
Summary: Um... This is Not Exactly a Documentary, Folks
Review: While MANCHURIAN CANDIDATE is an extremely entertaining and well-crafted political thriller, it is not a historical movie. Let's not get all worked up thinking this movie presents some historically realistic view of the Cold War as it actually unfolded. It is a nightmarish fantasy that ambitiously wants to skewer MacCarthyism and play up the gargoyle image of "Asiatic" Communists, and almost succeeds; a sort of dark underside of a James Bond film. By the way, even though I am a great fan of Henry Silva, him portraying a Korean is like Tim Roth cast as a Bruce Lee in a Lee biopic. I have screened this movie for my friends and a bunch of us fell on the floor in a spasm of laughter seeing his "karate" fight with Frank Sinatra. Not exactly convincing, but then again what do you expect from a movie in which the main character (Frank Sinatra) actually has a line about a Chinese communist's "Fu Manchu" grin? It is most tragic that Laurence Harvey had such a short career. He was a truly brilliant actor, and was also devastatingly good in another spy film DANDY IN THE ASPIC.
Rating:
Summary: John Frankenheimer rules (or at least ruled)
Review: John Frankenheim made two of the best political thriller movies of the 60s, this and "Seven Days in May". This features great performances by Lawrence Harvey, Frank Sinatra and Angela Lansbury. Harvey is particularly heartbreaking as a cold distant man who wants to be lovable, but whose seriously twisted family background makes that impossible. Angela Lansbury steals this movie, however, as the ultimate "mother-from-hell" The plot is hard to describe in brief, but it involves Harvey, a Communist conspiracy and Harvey's red-baiting inebriate of a stepfather, played by James Gregory with a not-subtle resemblance to Joe McCarthy. This film works both as a thriller and as a political satire, taking deft jabs at the pomposity of official Washington. Sharp-eyed viewers can spot the sly joke about how James Gregory finally settles on the number of Communists supposedly in the State Department. This film was influential enough to be remade multiple times by various television series, most notably "Star Trek: The Next Generation" and "Magnum, P.I."
Rating:
Summary: CLASSIC
Review: In many ways this film seems more real today than when it was made in 1962. One of Frank Sinatra's best performances is combined with a complex but really believable plot and a number of twists and turns to keep this movie interesting.
Rating:
Summary: Good thing Hilary didn't have a son!
Review: What a chilling movie. You know what, though. There's a massively bad editting sequence in the movie that I was really, really hoping the "Director's Commentary" portion of the DVD would pick up. But he didn't even mention it. When Laurence Harvey was eating dinner and laughing with his bride to be and her father, they actually moved through the short scene, recorded the 5 second (or so) part in reverse, then replayed that part again. You can actually see Laurence Harvey taking a bite of food out of his mouth with his fork, and putting it back in again. I'm sorry, but I've never been able to get over that scene. It's SOOO badly done, that the editor should be quartered and hanged for such a mistake. Yuck. But the movie still gets 5 stars. And the Angela Lansbury's character still reminded me of Hilary Clinton. What a great movie with fantastic development that made you care for the characters and enjoy all the new discoveries you were viewing. You didn't know what would happen next, and that made it all the better. You've already seen it. You didn't need this review from me to get the movie. Just get the DVD. But don't expect them to talk about the mistake. Because they don't.
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