Rating: 
Summary: Stellar
Review: You know, I could go on and on about how good this movie is, as most of the other reviewers have, but that would be redundant. I just had some things to say about the DVD version. Its very satisfying to have pretty good features on a reasonably priced DVD of a classic. A full length feature commentary by Frankenheimer and a short interview with the main 3 names behind the movie (Frankenheimer, Sinatra, and Axelrod) make this more of a bargain than it already was. Its dissappointing to see so many other older films get put out with a $19.99 price tag, yet only give you the ability to select scenes or read production credits.
One note about the film: I love the sly humor, especially in the snake-bite scene when Jocie is treating Raymond's leg. When she says, "My father is going to be thrilled," (pp) as she takes off her shirt, it is comedic poetry.
Rating: 
Summary: Bizarre and weird, but a little too much!!!
Review: First of all I'm a huge Sinatra fan, as can be noticed by my many reviews of his records. MANCHURIAN CANDIDATE is plain a little too outrageous, too many crazy characters, it seems almost more like science fiction than political intrigue. So we start with a McCarthy like senator, the senator's wickedly manipulative wife (yes that's Lansbury), her brainwashed and generally insipid son (Harvey), and the ex- officer(Sinatra) who thinks there's something strange going on with his former army mate (Harvey again), who for some reason received a Medal of Honor in Korea. Then there's a liberal senator, political enemy of the aforementioned McCarthy type,with a cute daughter,who for some unexplained reason falls for the Harvey character. This movie has its moments, some of them very chilling, and no doubt is very well done. The reason it's not a real classic for me is that it's just plain too crazy...Definitely worth a watch, but not for the faint at heart, and very nasty.Unlike any other movie out there except....the earlier political flick Frank was in around 1955 called SUDDENLY. SUDDENLY is more realistic, though all in all not as incredible as MANCHURIAN CANDIDATE, but even more interesting is that each movie shows Sinatra's character in completely opposite roles, like Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde!
Rating:
Summary: "A real wallop of a film..."
Review: With a complex plot, executed with marvelous precision, "The Manchurian Candidate" remains of the best American movies, and perhaps the greatest political thriller you'll ever see. It's a satire, thriller, and history lesson all rolled up into one. A real wallop of a film, with excellent performances from Harvey, Sinatra, and Leigh, but Lansbury steals the show. The ultimate dragon lady, she's one of the screens most terrifying matriarcal prescenes.
Rating:
Summary: Chilling! Shocking! Frighteningly good.
Review: First of all, be very careful of some of the reviews written on this page. Mr. Dressler gives some spoiler information that robs the film of one of its' most shocking plot twists.Next, let me say that as my husband and I popped this film in one rainy afternoon, we were unprepared for the absolute shock value of this film. It is frighteningly well made. The camera shots are very remniscent of Hitchock and Citizen Kane. The story line is deliciously twisted and enough to make the most peaceful mind paranoid for some time to come. No wonder Frank Sinatra bought the rights to this film and yanked it from print everywhere a year after it was released - the same year that John F. Kennedy was assasinated. The similarities were too uncanny to be ignored. JFK was assasinated by a man with a bizarre history involving a communist country, in fact, he was a card carrying member - and was said to have been in an almost trance like state. EEEEK. Twenty five years later, the public was once again allowed to indulge in this glorious piece of film making and conspiracy hysteria. It has stood the test of time and is ranked #67 by the American Film Institute. The performances by Angela Lansbury, Frank Sinatra, Janet Leigh, and of course Laurence Harvey are superb. The use of black and white film seems symbolic of the story itself and makes good use of eery and intense lighting techniques. It simply would not have been the same in color. You owe it to yourself to check out one of the greatest additions to film history. Take a word of advice, don't watch it by yourself. You're going to want someone around to talk about it when it's all over. Hang on for the ride!
Rating:
Summary: A Haunting Look at the Past/ Korean War/"Brainwashing"/Fear
Review: We saw this when it was first shown, then of course, were not able to find it for YEARS. It haunted us and kept us wondering. We so wanted to share it with others so there would be someone else to talk to about its mysteries. It's a true classic depiction of the concerns people had at the time. Loved it, still love it, and am still mystified by its twists and turns.
Rating:
Summary: The turn of a friendly card
Review: I must be a late bloomer as I only recently saw this for the first time. I was shocked to see Angela Lansbury, "Murder She Wrote" not being quite as nice as I remembered her. The real advantage was not recognizing Laurence Harvey from anywhere and so this did not distract from his acting. I really enjoyed watching this just as a movie and not trying to make any connections to underlying messages. I could anticipate most of it. But I was really surprised to find out who the American control was. And so much for the theory that you can't be forced to do anything that is not within your nature. I was surprised to the last. With out the immediate threat of the cold war the movie still holds suspense for us. John Candy did a parody of this in the movie "Volunteers" ASIN: 6301932838
Rating:
Summary: Top Political Thriller
Review: Laurence Harvey returns to the United States as a war hero following the end of the Korean War. What few realize is that he returns a brainwashed tool of enemies of the US government, trained to follow all of their orders, no matter what. Fellow soldier Frank Sinatra is having horrible nightmares about having been brainwashed as well, but he can't put it altogether. There is a brilliant scene from his nightmare at the beginning where a meeting of communist leaders to introduce the brainwashed men (who have had their brains tricked to believe they are actually at a Ladies horticulture club meeting) is both brilliantly funny and frightening. To add to his problems, Harvey's mother (Angela Lansbury) is a cold, manipulative backroom politician angling to get her second husband a place in the White House. Sinatra's growing concerns about what really happened to him and Harvey, Lansbury's political ambitions, and Harvey's controlled state of mind all mesh together to make a terrific political thriller that never lets up. Sinatra is excellent as the troubled soldier wanting answers, both impassioned and on the edge. Harvey is necessarily robotic in a way, but very convincing in his role as the soldier that was basically re-wired during the war. Lansbury is most impressive in a very uncharacteristic role, shrewd, cold, and frighteningly obsessed with all her objectives. A lot of credit must go to director John Frankenheimer, who keeps the tension building, and who employs a lot of unique shots and angles as the story unfolds and tightens. The script is excellent, showing us how television (even back in the Fifties and Sixties) changed the rules of the political game, especially for those who knew how to use it best. Could Hollywood please make some more smart thrillers like this one?!?!
Rating:
Summary: A Vote For "The Manchurian Candidate"
Review: I have seen this John Frankenheimer movie three times in theaters and about three times on video. "The Manchurian Candidate" takes viewers back to a time when John Frankenheimer knew how to make great movies. Captain Bennett Marco(Frank Sinatra), Sergeant Raymond Shaw(Laurence Harvey), and the rest of their platoon return from the Korean War. Shaw receives a Congressional Medal Of Honor and Marco later discovers that the Soviets and Red Chinese have brainwashed Shaw into becoming an assassin. "The Manchurian Candidate" may be the greatest political paranoia thriller in the history of cinema. The film is a seamless blend of several different genres: Film Noir, Espionage, Political Paranoia, and Satire. Frankenheimer makes excellent use of a great cast. Sinatra gives one of the finest performance of his career. Harvey is excellent as the manipulated Shaw. Angela Lansbury proves herself to be one of the very most versatile and talented character actresses of cinema. Lansbury's Mrs. Iselin may be the greatest villainess in movie history. I'm astonished that this same actress would go on to play the gentle Jessica Fletcher of TV's "Murder, She Wrote." Sinatra and movie villain Henry Silva appear in one of the greatest fight scenes ever put on film. Silva is perhaps best known to movie audiences as a staple of countless forgettable B-movies and I'm amused that he once appeared in a film as distinguished as "The Manchurian Candidate." The film doesn't have one dull moment from start to finish. I definitely plan to see this movie again. "The Manchurian Candidate" is for all fans of John Frankenheimer, Frank Sinatra, Laurence Harvey, and Angela Lansbury as well as anyone who loves political paranoia thrillers.
Rating:
Summary: This Film Deserves Everyone's Vote!
Review: A perfect film gives you four things; atmosphere, acting, dialogue and plot and The Manchurian Candidate uses these elements better than any thriller than I have ever seen period! The plot throws you into the pool of Sinatra (Bennett marco) nightmare head first. Harvey (Raymond Shaw) is the receipent of the Medal Of honor for rescuing his troop Marco included and saving their lives but Sinatra has these reocurring nightmare where visions of death andn torture are played out ny th ehands of his beloved Harvey, the man who saved his life, the man who is the ultimate good guy! As the film pushes forward we meet some most vile and disgusting people the leader of the bunch is Shaw's mother masterfully played by Angela Landsbury. She not only runs her son life she wants to run the country by controlling her not to bright senator husband poltical career. The utlimate key in to the entire film is a simple deck of cards i truly do not want to give away any of the plot but the ending will leave you jaw dropped! Now as for the atmosphere, acting, and dialogue. Even though color was the mainstay Frakenheimer used black and white to give the film a visual raunch and punch to it in the same vein as Hitchcock's Psycho. The acting is first rate but even though Sinatra's Marco is the central character it's Harvey in the role of the decontruced self loathing Sergeant Shaw who tears the film's dialogue and even adds to the films atmosphere! His cold eyes and chilling english bravado is pure power and the dialogue is witty and always pointed to the plot. For all it's worth The manchurian Candidate has to be seen to be appreciated it never treats the viewer as a viewer but as witness!
Rating:
Summary: "To Dream , perchance to .........
Review: - everything seems OK, but why does the nice lady have 5 o'clock shadow? THOSE are the images that come back to haunt you about this movie, and the "in-your-face" violence, rare for that time. Fortunately in Black and White [could not work in color], this movie for years "withdrawn" still crowbars you across both knees. ANGELA LANSBURY is all consuming in this perfect vehicle for her still untapped talent. A brilliant picture of depraved ambition - what could well be termed "MacBeth Washington style" - she's magnificent as the manipulating mama behind the "throne". She conveys this great chilly beauty, a fatal attraction fortunately not explored but only hinted at in the scenes with her son, bold acting choices. Reminiscent of Visconti's later and equally disturbing "The Damned" this excursion into the mind of a brain-washed hero/assassin is contemporary. Laurence Harvey [no replacement yet] devastates as the somnambulisted killer [Dr. Caligari territory], Sinatra, Janet Leigh and other sterling performers perfectly realise this work by Richard Condon, a searing vision of the horror of power gone awry by Director John Frankerheimer who subsequently went on to direct the equally terrifying and also ahead of it's time "Seconds" I was barely a teenager when I first saw this movie, pre-Viet Nam, and definately too young for the graphic close-ups provided. It still shocks today.
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