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The Candidate (1972)
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Overview
Release Date:
18 October 1972 (Sweden) moreTagline:
Too Handsome. Too Young. Too Liberal. Doesn't have a chance. He's PERFECT! morePlot:
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 synopsisAwards:
Won Oscar. Another 1 win & 1 nomination moreUser Comments:
Timeless political comedy with bite. moreCast
(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 |
Additional Details
Parents Guide:
Add content advisory for parentsRuntime:
110 minCountry:
USALanguage:
EnglishColor:
Color (Technicolor)Aspect Ratio:
1.85 : 1 moreSound Mix:
MonoCertification:
Canada:PG (Ontario) | UK:PG (1988) | Brazil:14 | UK:A (1972) | Finland:S | Spain:13 | Sweden:Btl | USA:PG | Australia:PGMOVIEmeter: 
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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. moreFAQ
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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.