The Manchurian Candidate

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The Manchurian Candidate

PG-13

1962

2h 6m

Mystery & Thriller

Drama

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Popcornmeter

97%

Tomatometer

67 Reviews

90%

Popcornmeter

25,000+ Ratings

Near the end of the Korean War, a platoon of U.S. soldiers is captured by communists and brainwashed. Following the war, the platoon is returned home, and Sergeant Raymond Shaw (Laurence Harvey) is lauded as a hero by the rest of his platoon. However, the platoon commander, Captain Bennett Marco (Frank Sinatra), finds himself plagued by strange nightmares and, together with fellow soldier Allen Melvin (James Edwards), races to uncover a terrible plot.

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Critics Consensus

A classic blend of satire and political thriller that was uncomfortably prescient in its own time, The Manchurian Candidate remains distressingly relevant today.

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Jay Scott

Globe and Mail

Gaudy, surreal, inexplicable, sensible.

Dec 7, 2022

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Peter John Dyer

Sight & Sound

Its unreal characters [are] essentially relevant to ourselves in the Cold War, its extravagant fears for the future rooted logically in the recent past.

Mar 6, 2020

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James Powers

The Hollywood Reporter

The direction and acting are good, so interest is maintained. Frankeheimer's handling of the early sequences, in which he attempts and succeeds in creating on film the corruption of the mind, is imaginative filmmaking.

Mar 1, 2018

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Michael Clark

Epoch Times

With our country lurching ever closer to joining the “New World Order” mentality, a possible cold war, and many American voters embracing communist and socialist ideals and platforms, “The Manchurian Candidate” has never been more vital and relevant.

Rated: 5/5

Oct 27, 2024

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Anna Richards

Radio Times

Stealing the show is Oscar-nominated Angela Lansbury as Harvey's mother -- monstrous, manipulative and completely power-crazed, she is an unforgettable creation.

Rated: 5/5

Aug 17, 2024

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Danielle Solzman

Solzy at the Movies

The Manchurian Candidate thrilled audiences in 1962 while addressing McCarthyism and the Cold War in its own way.

Rated: 4.5/5

May 23, 2024

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F R

Ridiculous plot. And no, it's not relevant to anything currently at all. On the other hand, I love the cast and they're all strong. But a silly story.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

10/20/25

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revolver.0 8

Ridiculous plot, but very influential for future scenarios like The Parallax View, Black ops, etc

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

06/30/25

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Stephen C

A success for a spy movie in 2 hours and 6 minutes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Starring Frank Sinatra as Captain Bennett Marco!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

06/09/25

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Fer S

It is such a great plot. Sadly, halfway through the movie it gets so slow and boring that it made me lose all interest.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

04/24/25

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John G

Incredibly prescient not only for the 60's and also for the present MAGA movement. Slow at times but the suspense holds up and the ending will shock you. Chilling considering Russian operatives may have infiltrated this nation's highest office in 2025.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/02/25

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Isaiah Y

Excellent dark thriller

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/19/25

Full Review

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John Frankenheimer

Director

Frank Sinatra

Major Bennett Marco

Laurence Harvey

Raymond Shaw

Janet Leigh

Eugenie Rose Chaney

Angela Lansbury

Mrs. Iselin

Henry Silva

Chunjin

The Manchurian Candidate: Official Clip - A Cold War

2:33

The Manchurian Candidate: Official Clip - I Wanted a Killer

3:43

The Manchurian Candidate: Official Clip - Rose Picks Up Marco

1:59

The Manchurian Candidate: Official Clip - Marco Fights Chunjin

1:42

The Manchurian Candidate: Official Clip - Killing Sen. Jordan and Jocie

2:12

The Manchurian Candidate: Official Clip - Marco's Nightmare

2:12

The Manchurian Candidate: Official Clip - 52 Red Queens Say Its Over

1:58

The Manchurian Candidate: Official Clip - The Red Queen

1:55

The Manchurian Candidate: Official Clip - Manchurian Garden Club

2:11

The Manchurian Candidate: Official Clip - Assassination

2:11

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Synopsis

Near the end of the Korean War, a platoon of U.S. soldiers is captured by communists and brainwashed. Following the war, the platoon is returned home, and Sergeant Raymond Shaw (Laurence Harvey) is lauded as a hero by the rest of his platoon. However, the platoon commander, Captain Bennett Marco (Frank Sinatra), finds himself plagued by strange nightmares and, together with fellow soldier Allen Melvin (James Edwards), races to uncover a terrible plot.

Director: John Frankenheimer
Producer: John Frankenheimer, George Axelrod
Screenwriter: George Axelrod
Distributor: United Artists, MGM/UA Home Entertainment Inc.
Production Co: M.C. Productions
Rating: PG-13
Genre: Mystery & Thriller, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Oct 24, 1962, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Nov 30, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA): $1.9M
Runtime: 2h 6m

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