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IMDb > The Candidate (1972)
The Candidate
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The Candidate (1972)

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User Rating: 7.0/10 (2,574 votes)
Photos (see all 12 | slideshow)

Overview

Director:
Michael Ritchie
Writer:
Jeremy Larner (writer)
Release Date:
18 October 1972 (Sweden) more
Genre:
Drama more
Tagline:
Too Handsome. Too Young. Too Liberal. Doesn't have a chance. He's PERFECT! more
Plot:
Bill McKay is a candidate for the U.S. Senate from California. He has no hope of winning, so he is willing to tweak the establishment. full summary | add synopsis
Awards:
Won Oscar. Another 1 win & 1 nomination more
User Comments:
Timeless political comedy with bite. more

Cast

 (Cast overview, first billed only)
Robert Redford ... Bill McKay

Peter Boyle ... Lucas

Melvyn Douglas ... John J. McKay
Don Porter ... Jarmon
Allen Garfield ... Klein
Karen Carlson ... Nancy
Quinn K. Redeker ... Jenkin (as Quinn Redeker)
Morgan Upton ... Henderson

Michael Lerner ... Corliss
Kenneth Tobey ... Starkey
Chris Prey ... David
Joe Miksak ... Neil Atkinson
Jenny Sullivan ... Lynn
Tom Dahlgren ... Pilot
Gerald Hiken ... Station Manager
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Create a character page for: ?

Additional Details

Runtime:
110 min
Country:
USA
Language:
English
Color:
Color (Technicolor)
Aspect Ratio:
1.85 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Mono
Certification:
Canada:PG (Ontario) | UK:PG (1988) | Brazil:14 | UK:A (1972) | Finland:S | Spain:13 | Sweden:Btl | USA:PG | Australia:PG
MOVIEmeter: ?
V 2% since last week why?

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
Photographer Stanley Tretick, best known for his iconic photos of John F. Kennedy with his children in the Oval Office, appears in the chaotic scenes as McKay reaches his victory, as part of the throng crushing around him. Tretick shot promotional stills for this and other Robert Redford films. more
Quotes:
Bill McKay: So vote once, vote tuh-wice, for Bill McKay... you middle-class honkies. more
Movie Connections:
Referenced in Abby Singer (2003) more

FAQ

This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.
Timeless political comedy with bite., 25 October 2002
9/10
Author: jckruize from North Hemis

Unobtrusive, documentary-style direction by the underrated Michael Ritchie lends verisimilitude to Jeremy Larner's witty (Oscar-winning) script. It feels like you're really on the campaign trail with a "pretty-boy" senatorial candidate (played with typically effortless charm by Robert Redford), who can barely keep up with a platform being built on the fly and the relentless media blitz that dogs him every step. Events move swiftly to their inevitable, ironic conclusion, highlighted by one of the best closing lines in cinema history.

Terrific support is provided by character actors Peter Boyle, Allen Garfield, Melvyn Douglas and others, plus a host of cameos by real politicians like Alan Cranston and Hubert Humphrey. If you want an idea how modern American politics works, this is a pretty good primer.

Redford and writer Larry Gelbart recently announced plans for a sequel; they have a tough act to follow but I wish them the best.

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Recent Posts (updated daily)User
From a reliable source BIG NEWS PLEASE READ bruce20207
a good one dn_raymond
Does McKay have an affair? the_ccramaster1
Best Character of All Time... tstone-4
Nothing's changed in 30 years Tashtago
RIP Peter Boyle bossf51
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