Movie Review: The Manchurian Candidate

Political movies from Hollywood are often accused of being naïve, lacking in acumen and foresight. Even movies like Munich and JFK from highly acclaimed directors have been widely criticised. Another fact is that many of these movies are also little seen. But for years, there was a movie that every director dabbling with politics would heartily recommend and that movie was The Manchurian Candidate (1962).

This movie too was little seen upon release and until a re-release in the late 1980s wasn't quite recognised. But that has all changed. In 2004, Jonathan Demme re-made the movie based on the Richard Condon novel of the same name. But the original is still considered by many to be the better version and probably the best political movie ever made.

That a similar assassination as shown in the original movie was carried out the following year - that of John F. Kennedy - has only bolstered the film's reputation. This may be unfortunate but might be a testimonial to the film's foresight.

During the Cold War, it was widely believed that the Russians had mastered the art of brainwashing. A brainwashed person would have no control over his own will and could be a puppet in his controller's hands.

The Manchurian Candidate deals with such a story, that of Raymond Shaw, who is awarded the Congressional Medal of Honour for showing exceptional bravery on the battlefield. But Major Marco, played by Frank Sinatra, is having recurring nightmares. He fears that there is something fishy with Raymond and his award.

Raymond Shaw's stepfather is a politician, Senator Iselin, who has made a career by alleging that Communists have infiltrated every major US government department. Iselin was modeled on Senator McCarthy, who headed a committee responsible for weeding out Communists from the US. Later on, it becomes clear that Shaw and his entire team of soldiers have been brainwashed during the Korean War. But by whom and to what end?

It's a brilliant movie from John Frankenheimer. Janet Leigh of Psycho fame stars as Sinatra's love interest. Their romance that ignites as if soaked in kerosene is as odd as it is convincing.

Angela Lansbury plays the role of a lifetime as Raymond's mother. But it was Sinatra who was singularly responsible for the movie ever getting made. It was only after he got on board the project took off. This was a highly risky movie at that time to make with such a controversial subject. It didn't help the movie that it also had a very complex storyline, which though tame by today's standards, was really controversial in the 1960s. For anybody interested in the Cold War and its representation in Hollywood movies, this film is a must watch.