The Manchurian Candidate Movie Review 1962

Political thriller about an American Korean War vet who suspects that he and his platoon may have been brainwashed during the war, with his highly decorated, heroic friend programmed by commies to be an operational assassin. Loaded with shocks, conspiracy, inventive visual imagery, and bitter political satire of naivete and machinations of the left and right. Excellent performances by an all-star cast, with Lansbury and Gregory particularly frightening. Based on the Richard Condon novel. Featuring a special interview with Sinatra and Frankenheimer in which Sinatra is deified.

Distribution

MGM Home Entertainment, 2500 Broadway, Santa Monica, CA 90404-6061, Phone: (310)449-3000, Fax: (310)449-3100, URL: http://www.mgmhomevideo.com, Remarks: Does not handle retail queries from consumers; contact your local video distributor.

Available on VHS, DVD
Running time 126 minutes.

Cast and Crew

Genres

Mystery & Suspense, Korean War, Vote for Me!, Contemporary Noir, New York, New York, Books to Film: Richard Condon, Assassination, It's a Conspiracy, Man!, Hit Men/Women, Capitol Capers, Politics, Red Scare, Monster Moms, Cold War Spies, Brainwashed, 4 Bones

Screenplay

John Frankenheimer, George Axelrod

Cast

Frank Sinatra, Laurence Harvey, Angela Lansbury, Janet Leigh, James Gregory, Leslie Parrish, John McGiver, Henry Silva, Khigh (Kaie Deei) Deigh, James Edwards, Doug(las) Henderson, Albert Paulsen, Barry Kelley, Lloyd Corrigan, Whit Bissell, Joe Adams, Spivy, Mimi Dillard, John Lawrence, Tom Lowell

Cinematography

Lionel Lindon

Director

John Frankenheimer

Music

David Amram

Producer

M.C. Productions, George Axelrod, John Frankenheimer

Awards

AFI 1998: Top 100; Golden Globes 1963: Support. Actress (Lansbury); Natl. Bd. of Review 1962: Support. Actress (Lansbury), Natl. Film Reg. 1994.