X
- 1962
- Approved
- United Artists
- 2 h 6 m
- 1962
- Approved
- United Artists
- 2 h 6 m
Summary John Frankenheimer's gripping political thriller about a group of American soldiers who are captured and brainwashed into becoming sleeper agents. (MGM)
Directed By: John Frankenheimer
Written By: Richard Condon, George Axelrod, John Frankenheimer
- 1962
- Approved
- United Artists
- 2 h 6 m
- 1962
- Approved
- United Artists
- 2 h 6 m
The Manchurian Candidate
7.9
Where to Watch
Summary John Frankenheimer's gripping political thriller about a group of American soldiers who are captured and brainwashed into becoming sleeper agents. (MGM)
Directed By: John Frankenheimer
Written By: Richard Condon, George Axelrod, John Frankenheimer
Where to Watch
Top Cast
Metascore
Universal Acclaim
Based on 20 Critic Reviews
94
95% Positive
19 Reviews
19 Reviews
5% Mixed
1 Review
1 Review
0% Negative
0 Reviews
0 Reviews
Metascore
Universal Acclaim
Based on 20 Critic Reviews
94
95% Positive
19 Reviews
19 Reviews
5% Mixed
1 Review
1 Review
0% Negative
0 Reviews
0 Reviews
Frankenheimer guides all of it with the loopy logic of one of Marco’s nightmares – you’ll certainly never look at ladies’ gardening clubs the same.
Manchurian, with its fatalistic, dreamlike quality, comprises two of [Frankenheimer's] finest hours. [Re-release]
User Score
Generally Favorable
Based on 112 User Ratings
7.9
84% Positive
94 Ratings
94 Ratings
10% Mixed
11 Ratings
11 Ratings
6% Negative
7 Ratings
7 Ratings
User Score
Generally Favorable
Based on 112 User Ratings
7.9
84% Positive
94 Ratings
94 Ratings
10% Mixed
11 Ratings
11 Ratings
6% Negative
7 Ratings
7 Ratings
Not many movies focus on the topic of brainwashing, and that's what makes The Manchurian Candidate such an amazing and unique film. The movie follows a military veteran as he tries to figure out why he doesn't remember his friend performing an amazing act of heroism that saved two soldiers and awarded him the medal of honor. Another man in their squad talks of strange dreams, and soon after that the movie is launched into a story of politics, intrigue, and of course, brainwashing. The story leads to a great ending that wraps up everything nicely.
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"The Manchurian Candidate" is a cold, gripping satire thriller film that is still very intense. The acting and script improve this masterpiece even more.
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The Manchurian Candidate proves that its fascination is intact. [12 Jan 1998, p.C1; Re-Release]
Angela Lansbury's frighteningly in-check performance is alone worth the trip.
An exceedingly loopy satire of the entire American political circus, and could be viewed as offensive to the sensitive-souled in either camp. And time hasn't in the least softened its bite. [Re-release]
Rarely do you see first-rate melodrama welded to first-rate political satire. [13 May 1988, p.D5]
The film is so artfully contrived, the plot so interestingly started, the dialogue so racy and sharp, and John Frankenheimer's direction so exciting in the style of Orson Welles when he was making Citizen Kane and other pictures that the fascination of it is strong. So many fine cinematic touches and action details pop up that one keeps wishing the subject would develop into something more than it does.
Interesting story about brainwashing. Angela Lansbury as Mrs. Eleanor Shaw Iselin was perfect.
Some parts are outdated today: the fighting and shooting scenes.
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The Manchurian Candidate never fails to leave any of its people behind and that's not all, there's still more coming up after you see this movie available wherever its still sold at.
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Got a great and intriguing setup but loses almost all of its steam in the middle. Has a very good final sequence and ending.
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isn't worthy to be elected..
The Manchurian Candidate
The politics mishap gives it all away due to the structure of the script that build up in front of the audience without any security allowing the audience to breach it easily after which they find themselves waiting to attain a closure to the makers, actors and including themselves too. It is short on technical terms like sound department and production design although is edited perfectly. The script isn't as convoluted as the writers thinks which creates this portal of loop where the audience finds themselves outside the act rather than sinking into it. John Frankenheimer; the director, had done a tremendous work on executing this political plot driven thriller whose trump card up the sleeve isn't enough for it to win the game. The performance objective is nicely handled by Frank Sinatra and Laurence Harvey on their parallel role and so are Janet Leigh and Angela Lansbury as a supportive cast. There are few scene shot beautifully as they lift up the intensity and the stakes on the screen, creating an energy that can easily be fed to the audience throughout the course of it. The Manchurian Candidate isn't worthy to be elected but can definitely be the "safe" choice to go with.
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Cette histoire de lavage de cervelle juste après la guerre de Corée de bons et fidèles soldats américains par l'Institut Pavlov (sic !) est indéniablement créative et il y a là matière à quelqu'intrigue digne d'intérêt ma foi. Même le couineur Sinatra s'en sort avec les honneurs (du moment qu'il ne chante pas, tout va bien) en dépit du fait que le vrai rôle est attribué à cet acteur inconnu au bataillon mais fort convaincant.
Hélas, le film ne se départit pas de son côté vieillot, peu clair et très poussif comme un vieux tacot bringuebalant qui refuse obstinément d'avancer (à moins qu'il ne s'agisse d'un âne), singeant ainsi à l'insu de son plein gré les pires épisodes-somnifères de la série "Mission Impossible". Dans ce Crime à dormir debout comme dans son remake tout aussi abrutissant réalisé dans les années 2000, force est de constater que le développement et la mise en oeuvre d'un tel sujet semblent décidément maudits et voués aux gémonies.
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Awards
Golden Globes, USA
• 1 Win & 2 Nominations
Academy Awards, USA
• 2 Nominations
Laurel Awards
• 3 Nominations
