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The Manchurian Candidate (1962)
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Overview
User Rating:
Director:
Writers:
Release Date:
24 October 1962 (USA)
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Tagline:
When you've seen it all, you'll swear there's never been anything like it! more
Plot:
A former Korean War POW is brainwashed by Communists into becoming a political assassin. But another former prisoner may know how to save him. full summary | add synopsis
Plot Keywords:
Korean War
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Nightmare
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Army
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Korea
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Medal Of Honor
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Awards:
Nominated for 2 Oscars.
Another 6 wins
&
4 nominations
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NewsDesk:
(34 articles)
Birthday Suits: Good Hair, and Good Music.
(From FilmExperience. 14 November 2009, 7:29 AM, PST)
Shadows of Russia Schedule
(From Alternative Film Guide. 3 November 2009, 11:31 PM, PST)
(From FilmExperience. 14 November 2009, 7:29 AM, PST)
Shadows of Russia Schedule
(From Alternative Film Guide. 3 November 2009, 11:31 PM, PST)
User Comments:
Timeless Thriller with a few glitches
more (248 total)
Cast
(Complete credited cast)| Frank Sinatra | ... | Maj. Bennett Marco | |
| Laurence Harvey | ... | Raymond Shaw | |
| Janet Leigh | ... | Eugenie Rose Chaney | |
| Angela Lansbury | ... | Mrs. Iselin | |
| Henry Silva | ... | Chunjin | |
| James Gregory | ... | Sen. John Yerkes Iselin | |
| Leslie Parrish | ... | Jocelyn Jordan | |
| John McGiver | ... | Sen. Thomas Jordan | |
| Khigh Dhiegh | ... | Dr. Yen Lo | |
| James Edwards | ... | Cpl. Allen Melvin | |
| Douglas Henderson | ... | Col. Milt | |
| Albert Paulsen | ... | Zilkov | |
| Barry Kelley | ... | Secretary of Defense | |
| Lloyd Corrigan | ... | Holborn Gaines | |
| Madame Spivy | ... | Female Berezovo |
Additional Details
Parents Guide:
Runtime:
126 min
Country:
Language:
Color:
Aspect Ratio:
1.85 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Certification:
Finland:(Banned) (1964) (uncut) |
Finland:(Banned) (1964) (cut) |
Finland:K-16 (1989) (uncut) |
UK:A (1962) (cut) |
West Germany:16 (f) |
South Korea:15 |
Australia:M |
Norway:15 (re-rating) |
Norway:16 (original rating) |
Sweden:15 |
UK:15 |
USA:Approved (original rating) |
USA:PG-13
Filming Locations:
Company:
Fun Stuff
Trivia:
The scenes of the convention were filmed at the Old Madison Square Garden on 8th ave at 49th street. The last event ever held there was in Febuary 1968. It was torn down shortly after closing and today an office tower stands on the site.
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Goofs:
Continuity: When Shaw and Marco get drunk, Marco opens and pours a second bottle of champagne while Shaw reminisces about his happy past. Later in the scene the bottle is back in its paper bag, unopened.
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Quotes:
Mrs. Iselin:
[at meal time] I'm sorry, hon'. Would it really make it easier for you if we settled on just one number?
Sen. John Yerkes Iselin: Yeah. Just one, real, simple number that'd be easy for me to remember.
[Mrs. Iselin watches her husband thump a bottle of Heinz Tomato Ketchup onto his plate]
Sen. John Yerkes Iselin: [addressing the Senate] There are exactly 57 card-carrying members of the Communist Party in the Department of Defense at this time!
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Sen. John Yerkes Iselin: Yeah. Just one, real, simple number that'd be easy for me to remember.
[Mrs. Iselin watches her husband thump a bottle of Heinz Tomato Ketchup onto his plate]
Sen. John Yerkes Iselin: [addressing the Senate] There are exactly 57 card-carrying members of the Communist Party in the Department of Defense at this time!
more
Movie Connections:
Soundtrack:
The Star-Spangled Banner
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FAQ
A Note Regarding SpoilersWho is the "Manchurian candidate"?
How much sex, violence, and profanity are in this movie?
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more (248 total)
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There are parts of The Manchurian Candidate that are so perceptive and prophetic that it can be shocking. The satire of political campaigns and the influence of political wives feels very fresh. The film is also an excellent spy thriller and foretells the many political assassinations in the 60's. There are many fine performances in the film and Angela Lansbury plays one of the best film villains I have seen. Also, the directing, cinematography and editing are terrific.
My problems with the film mainly stem from its dialogue. The script repeats lines from the book the film was based upon. The result is that the actor's lines are very often stilted and not believable. Other less important problems involve Lawrence Harvey who while he gives a fine performance needed a dialogue coach. He begins the film with an American accent and slowly takes on a English one. The Janet Leigh character is also troubling. It seems she is a Soviet agent but this is not explained. Her character is too subtle and clashes with the very straight forward presentation of the rest of the film.
The flaws of The Manchurian Candidate would sink a lesser film. But when this movie hits its stride it is so powerful that it rises above its drawbacks and remains a classic spy thriller.