Movie No. 113 (2013): THE MANCHURIAN CANDIDATE

The Manchurian Candidate (1962)
Director: John Frankenheimer
Cast: Frank Sinatra, Laurence Harvey, Angela Lansbury, Janet Leigh

This is one of the best political thrillers I've ever seen. The movie has some tinge of Romeo and Juliet and Macbeth that may be sparse but definitely contributes to film's brilliance. The screenplay is as compelling as the actors who give life to all the interesting characters in the film.

The movie is practically about Sgt. Raymond Shaw. While in Korea, he and his platoon were abducted by the Korean troops. While in captivity, they were subjected to a 'brainwashing program" by some Russian and Chinese agents Months later they were released. They were accorded a heroes welcome back in the United States. Sgt. Shaw was even rewarded with a medal of valor. But, back home, some of Sgt. Shaw's men behaved differently. He, himself, looked like a man with tortured soul. Capt. Ben Marco, one of the abducted, who looked like the most devastated and haunted by the experience at the prisoner camp, was the first one to piece things together and got well. Now, he must act to rescue Sgt. Shaw; it appeared that Sgt. Shaw was programmed into becoming an assassin and he must stop it. Sgt. Shaw's volatile condition would (also) be used by his ambitious mother who would do anything and use anyone for political gains.

This film is an achievement is every aspect. A masterpiece.

Rating: 4.0/4.0

Date seen: May 12, 2013