Rating: 
Summary: ONE OF THE GREAT TOP THRILLERS! FIRST-RATE IN EVERY WAY!!
Review: Wanna know why?
It has a great story that revolves around a group of men who were brainwashed into being killing machines and the attempt (from one of these men) to solve the puzzle of manipulation and assassination and put their lives back in order.
With a screenplay like that, you can't go wrong!!! Director Frankenheimer presents us with a deep study of manipulation vs. character. All the cast is dynamite. The cinematography is superb! The editing is unbelieveble (the dream scenes are a masterclass on film editing).
The music by David Amram is unforgetable as is sets the exact tone since the openning titles (the cd is available).
Being from a time when the curtain was made of iron, it is a bit dated, but time hasn't dimmed its power to impress us.
A multi-layered film that demands multiple viewings, as it deals with social and political paranoia, democracy, personal manipulation and the ultimate individual fight for happiness (which doesn't seem to exist).The director's commentay gives us a lot of interesting information on how the film was made: cinematography, lenses, music, filming process, actors, etc. Playing Solitaire will never be the same!
Rating: 
Summary: Creepy cold war thriller.
Review: This review is in memory of John Frankenheimer (1930-2002), who died Saturday, July 6. Besides this film, perhaps his most well known, he directed "Birdman of Alcatraz", "Seven Days in May", "All Fall Down", "The Train" and "Ronin", among others. And he was also an accomplished T.V director, having made 152 television plays during the '50's and winning four Emmy Awards in the '90's. R.I.P, Mr. Frankenheimer. Now to the review. A squad of Army troops is captured on a patrol during the Korean War. After their escape and subsequent return home, their commander, Sergeant Raymond Shaw (Lawrence Harvey) is awarded the Medal of Honor. But odd things are occurring. Shaw's personality and attitude seems to have changed in certain ways. And the survivors of the squad are have reoccurring nightmares centering around the sergeant that involve their being captured, brainwashed and displayed in front of some top military officials. Shaw is a rather despicable person and was disliked by his squad. Yet when the survivors are asked about their feelings towards him, they consider Shaw the greatest man they ever knew. Now, one of the other men, Bennett Marco, (Frank Sinatra) has to find out the meanings of these dreams and discover the truth. He uncovers a giant conspiracy theory, piece by piece, involving mind controlling and communist conspiracies. The assassination plot in this film foreshadowed the assassinations of John F. Kennedy and his brother, Robert (The latter of whom was a friend of Frankenheimer). In fact, the film was withdrawn from release after JFK assassination in 1963 and wasn't released again until 1988. According to Roger Ebert, it was "as powerful as ever and, sadly, even more timely." (He might have stated that because of that year's presidential campaign and election). But, though I think this movie works great as tense, thrilling entertainment, no doubt several people will point out some faults. Since I have to write a fair, balanced review, here are a few I found (Though I didn't hold them against it): 1. The New York Times' original review for the movie points out how Raymond was brainwashed in a short period of time, yet would still be operable two years later. I think this is just one of those "Hollywood" things that we are supposed to accept and continue on with. 2. It's possible some issues in the movie may no longer be relevant (Brainwashing, communism). The communism subplot seems mostly an attempt at political satire, with Senator Ieslin, the stepfather of Raymond, being a McCarthy like senator, who's figures about the supposed number of communists in the defense department changing every time he speaks. 3. Most of the performances, especially those by Harvey, Sinatra and Angela Lansbury as Shaw's mother, are superb (Lansbury is especially cold-hearted. Surprisingly, she was only a few years older then Harvey). Janet Leigh, however, isn't exactly at her best here. And the romance subplot between her and Sinatra could have either been better worked out better into the plot or it could have been cut out altogether. 4. I don't know what it is, but something just doesn't ring true in this movie. For example, the relationship between Shaw and another girl isn't too well explained. And events like how Raymond's mother and stepfather were working together for world conquest (?) were somewhat confusing. Or maybe they were explained, but I just wasn't paying attention? Who knows. That said, this is still a great flick and can be enjoyed without understanding it. As for the datedness, I think that many movies, even some that came out just last week, have aged in certain areas. I believe that if the movie is still enjoyable or still carries out it's message, then it succeeds. This is one of my favorites from the 1960's. Though you do have to suspend disbelief in some areas here, try not to let it ruin the film for you. And name one movie which doesn't require suspension of disbelief. Anyway, with various plot twists and turns, wonderful performances, photography, direction and dark humor, plus one of the most suspenseful endings on film, this is one worth getting. Enjoy the show.
Rating:
Summary: great movie and the basis
Review: to many researchers for the RFK assassination.
the movie is about a a group of soliders who get captured and one of them, Mr. Harvey becomes the candidate who basically gets brainwashed.
he losses his soul, and is now under the complete control of the people who control him. the key to controlling him, are a deck of playing cards. in particular, the Queen of diamonds if i'm not mistaken.
when he sees this card, he automatically is under control, and once he does what he is supposed to do, he doesn't know what he just did. sound familiar, check out the status of Sirhan right after he "shot" Bobby Kennedy. but anyway, i'm not going to give away the ending.
this is a very good movie, especially a movie for it's time, 1962.
it has been the subject of numerous books on Bobby Kennedy's assassination and was also the disease that effected Mel Gibson in conspiracy theory. mind controlling innocent civilians to kill and then they would have absoutley no recollection of what occured. once again, sound familiar?
ummm...Sirhan Sirhan...umm
Rating:
Summary: FIVE BIG STARS!!!
Review: I first saw this film about ten years ago. Since then I have watched it again about five times and it never gets old! There are subtle nuances in the plot that can be easily overlooked on the first and second viewings. The story is about communist brainwashing of a group of American soldiers and the subsequent havoc wreaked by them and their "operatives." Angela Lansbury and James Gregory play their parts to perfection as Mr. and Mrs. John Iselin, the ambitious zealots who are reaching for higher office. Their son, Raymond, played by Lawrence Harvey, wants nothing to do with his parents seeing them as pseudo-conservative, self-serving demagogues. As the story unfolds, you learn some very dark secrets about all three of them that reach all the way to the hallowed halls of the United States government. The twists and turns will literally put you on the edge of your seat and leave you wondering why Hollywood doesn't seem capable of doing anything as good these days. You will talk about this movie for a long time after you see it.
Rating:
Summary: Chilling movie
Review: I watched this movie before all the Clinton fiascos, and I thought "Angela Lansbury reminds me a LOT of Hilary!". After watching this movie, I predicted Hilary would run for office after making herself look like a martyr. And she did! I have one more prediction: After reading this review, you'll discover something about the Manchurian Candidate that you didn't already know. I liked this movie, though some of Sinatra's acting was a bit cheese-filled. And don't ask me why Janet Leigh got so hot for big-eared Sinatra. He was a mess when she was falling for him. I guess she just wanted to take care of a mess. Lots of women with low self esteem have that prob. The DVD has great picture and the special features are pretty cool, though the director's commentary slyly skated over one important snipped of miserable editing that I thought should've been pointed out: In the dinner scene between what's his face, his girlfriend, and her senator father, they're laughing at the table while eating dinner. He picks up a forkful of meat and puts it in his mouth...then the film REWINDS! He takes the fork of food OUT OF HIS MOUTH and it goes back to the plate, then the film FORWARDS again! Once again, the same piece of meat goes back into his mouth! This is clearly a case of wanting to run the scene for about 30 seconds, but they only had 10 seconds worth of film to deal with. I have never been so insulted! Watch that scene if you own the movie. Buy the movie if you don't own it so you can watch that scene. This is a really good movie with a great ending. Very disturbing at times, and interesting throughout. Definitely a classic that should be in every movie library, whether you're a fan of politics or war, or not.
Rating:
Summary: Visciously exciting
Review: This movie is horribly creepy. And it's the worst kind of creepy, involving pscyhological gameplay that could, gasp, really happen. It has to do with soldiers captured and brainwashed in the Korean war to help further a Communist agenda, and one man who is assigned to assasinate the presidential candidate. Sound familiar? This movie makes it terribly close to home and tangible. Or at least that's what the filmmakers of this film want you to believe. The whole idea of using a human being a potentially very destructive weapon for a higher and more sinister power is a hard subject to make a story about without getting ridiculous, but I wouldn't dare call this movie ridiculous. That's because it's realistic, stressing the human qualities of the film instead of what could be an action or superficial spy caper. What makes it such an enthralling film are the constant mysteries being presented to us about our characters and their involvement with each other and the bad guys; and the constant, often chilling or bloody, answers, all revolving around how humans can be cruel to each other and how we react psychologically, emotionally, and physically to those cruelties. And the spy and government brainwashing aspect is absolutely thrilling. It doesn't let up. Frankenheimer's style, cinematography, the score, the impeccable acting by all, Sinatra, Harvey, Leigh, Lansbury, combine together to make a film that keep a thin layer of sweat beading on you for the entire film.
Rating:
Summary: Neuro Classic w/Satire
Review: It just feels good to own this one on DVD. You can watch it
over and over and enjoy it on many different levels. As you
might expect from a vintage film, it does not have much extra
material to dump in. If it did, it would be interesting. Some
of the subplots are a little unintentionally contrived.
Rating:
Summary: Great, Classic Suspense/Spy Thriller
Review: This really is a great movie. Frank Sinatra is surprisingly good in his lead role. The story is unique and scary and suspenseful. The sound quality on the DVD seemed to me to be a little bit muddled. I was glad that subtitles were available - I had to turn them on more than once to understand certain things that were said. This is a Cold War classic.
Rating:
Summary: check your pulse...
Review: Watch it to see what GREAT movie making is all about but above all else, watch it and bear witmess to Angela Lansbury's performance as, quite possibly the screens most evil villianess this side of Judith Anderson's Mrs. Danvers in "Rebecca"...Miss Lansbury truly walks away with the film!
Rating:
Summary: Chilling and Sophisticated
Review: Usually I find the "plot twists" and "Suspense" of older movies campy compared to modern classics like Usual Suspects or The Game, but Candidate can hang with any movie for chilling drama. This film captures the paranoia of post-Korean War America, when the communist shadow was long and dark. For me, Laurence Harvey steals the show. At times, I could here myself breathing. The films treatment of brainwashing is gripping and believable. One of my 2 favorite of the AFI top 100, along with The Wild Bunch.
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