Common Sense Media Review
By Brian Costello
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Classic Cold War satirical thriller stands test of time.
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The Manchurian Candidate
What's the Story?
After returning home from the Korean War, Major Bennett Marco (Frank Sinatra) has the same recurring nightmare. He is at a ladies garden party with the other soldiers in his platoon, but soon realizes that this is all the product of brainwashing by Communists while taken prisoner by the enemy, and sees fellow soldier, the dour Raymond Shaw, murder in cold blood two members of his platoon at the orders of a Chinese psychiatrist conducting an experiment. As his nightmares begin to reveal what actually happened, he pays a visit to Shaw, who won the Medal of Honor for allegedly rescuing Marco and the others from behind enemy lines. From Shaw, he learns that others in the platoon are having the same nightmare, and learns that the mere mention of the card game Solitaire sends Shaw into a hypnotic trance which makes him susceptible to any suggestion. While Shaw tries to contend with his evil, Communist-hating mother(Angela Lansbury) and his stepfather -- a drunken senator engaging in Communist witch hunt theatrics to further his grip on power, Marco must find out who wants Shaw to be a hypnotized assassin, why, and if he can be stopped.
Is It Any Good?
THE MANCHURIAN CANDIDATE is a timeless Cold War classic, at once both a riveting thriller and a satire of ideologues of all stripes. While certainly a product of its era -- Cold War paranoia, smoking indoors in public places, snappy slang in the dialogue -- its messages on leaders, politicians, and the treatment of soldiers has relevance well beyond that time. This is regarded by many to be one of Frank Sinatra's best acting performances, and it is impossible not to loathe Angela Lansbury as she plays the spiteful and conniving wife of a drunken senator who uses Communist witch hunts and her own son to advance their shared political ambitions.
While the themes and messages might go over the heads of younger viewers, the mischievous plot twists and turns as well as the manner in which deeper meanings are conveyed should resonate with older, politically engaged teens, and should inspire lively discussion.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how, one year after its release, in the wake of John F. Kennedy's assassination, this film was widely rumored to be prevented from being shown in theaters by lead actor Frank Sinatra, as well as by the studio who made the film. While there are contradictory reports as to the truth of these rumors, why might such a story be considered plausible to some?
As, in part, a satire of the times, this film was protested by some as "Communist propaganda," and by others as "Right-Wing propaganda." Do you think either side has a valid point, or do you think those who protested are the embodiment of the very thing being satirized in the film?
What does this film say to today's audiences about ideology, ideologues, politicians, and the treatment of solders? How can a movie from fifty years ago have relevance to today?
Movie Details
- In theaters : October 24, 1962
- On DVD or streaming : July 13, 2004
- Cast : Angela Lansbury , Frank Sinatra , Laurence Harvey
- Director : John Frankenheimer
- Studio : MGM/UA
- Genre : Classic
- Topics : Book Characters
- Run time : 126 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- Award : Golden Globe - Golden Globe Award Winner
- Last updated : March 30, 2026
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