The Manchurian Candidate (1962)

Details: By Loron Hays; 17 March 2016

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The Manchurian Candidate (1962) - Blu-ray Review

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It was required viewing in my freshman film course. That was my introduction to The Manchurian Candidate and, after having written many words about it, the film continues to seer its way into my thoughts. One can easily glance at its cast and dismiss it BUT only fools dare to never watch it. It is one of the few classics in American film that is just as alive and impactful now as it was when it was originally released.

Produced by George Axelrod and John Frankenheimer (and directed by the latter), this political thriller remains a career high for everyone involved. From Frank Sinatra to Angela Lansbury, the cast – including Laurence Harvey and Janet Leigh – bring an intensity to the project that continues to propel it forward as a prime example of just how inventive 60s cinema in America was – until the assignation of JFK.

Very much a product of the paranoia eclipsing America during the cold war, The Manchurian Candidate opens immediately after the Korean War. It tells the story of a U.S. Platoon who – upon their capture – were tortured and part of a brainwashing exercise at the hands of their communist enemies. They are returned home but all – except one – have disturbing dreams in which they remember what happened during the experiment but, as one by one, they reach out to the soldier who doesn’t remember anything, they discover just how deadly surviving can be.

Axelrod adapted the material for his screenplay from Robert Condon’s book and, in doing so, had to lessen the severity of Lansbury’s character due to the censors at the time. Had the moment where she, the manipulating mother of Staff Sergeant Raymond Shaw (Harvey), convinces her brainwashed son to have sex with her actually made it into the film (rather than the implied kiss), we just might be remembering this film a variety of other reasons.

But that is not the case. The film – originally released right in the middle of the Cuban Missile Crisis – takes on America’s fear of the Soviet Union and communism in general with a headstrong speed that is best matched by bullets. And it leaves a lot of bodies dead on the floor, most are innocently caught in the web of misfortune.

The Manchurian Candidate is a masterpiece of aesthetic intrigue as the son of a politically famous right-wing family becomes the centerpiece pawn of an international plot to destroy America. With clever nods to Hitchcock, the narrative line tightens, twists, and is tethered around images of playing cards and Abraham Lincoln.

From little tin soldiers to gangster gear, The Manchurian Candidate is the only film to speak in an authentic voice about the politics of paranoia. It is finally available on blu-ray through The Criterion Collection in a new and restored 4K digital transfer.

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MPAA Rating: PG-13.
Runtime: 126 mins
Director: John Frankenheimer
Writer: George Axelrod
Cast: Frank Sinatra, Laurence Harvey, Janet Leigh
Genre: Drama
Tagline: If you come in five minutes after this picture begins, you won't know what it's all about! When you've seen it all, you'll swear there's never been anything like it!
Memorable Movie Quote:
Distributor: United Artists
Official Site:
Release Date: October 24, 1962
DVD/Blu-ray Release Date: March 15, 2016
Synopsis: A former prisoner of war is brainwashed as an unwitting assassin for an international Communist conspiracy.

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The Manchurian Candidate (1962) - Blu-ray Review

Blu-ray Details:

The Criterion Collection

Available on Blu-ray - March 15, 2016
Screen Formats: 1.75:1
Subtitles: English SDH
Audio: English: LPCM Mono (48kHz, 24-bit)
Discs: 50GB Blu-ray Disc; Single disc (1 BD)
Region Encoding: A

The restored 4K digital transfer, with uncompressed monaural soundtrack, is a marvel of detail and black-and-white crispness. Lionel Lindon's cinematography gets a much needed boost thanks to black levels that completely soak up the light. The grey tones are solid, too. Whatever you might be expecting from a black-and-white film released in the early 60s – from consistent damage to the elements which include scratches, dirt and other blemishes – can be put to rest. The 1080p transfer is brilliant as the original 35mm used from the previous DVD transfer authored by Frankenheimer was used. It is free of splices, dirt, and debris.

Supplements:

Commentary:

Hailing from 1997, the commentary from director John Frankenheimer is illuminating and reveals a lot about the construction of the film, the homages throughout, some of the juicy details about the shoot and Sinatra’s involvement, and is, overall, a good history lesson.

Special Features:

With a new interview with Angela Lansbury, the supplemental items – which include an essay by critic Howard Hampton – are necessary and revelatory. There’s a few new featurettes included, too, which feature filmmaker Errol Morris discussing his appreciation for the film and historian Susan Carruthers talking about the Cold War and the brainwashing scares of the time period. Also included is a conversation between Frankenheimer, screenwriter George Axelrod, and actor Frank Sinatra from 1988 and the original trailer.