Directed by John Frankenheimer, The Manchurian Candidate follows a Korean war hero, Raymond Shaw, as he is brainwashed to kill the presidential nominee. This political thriller was subject to controversy not only in the movie, but in the release of the movie as well. After its theatrical release in 1962, the Manchurian Candidate had a period of “lost years” where Frank Sinatra refused to show the movie in any capacity after JFK’s assassination. The idea of keeping the movie under lock and key was kept until it was finally released to video in 1988 and re-released again in theaters during the 90s.

 

But what about this movie can stir so much controversy? All you have to do is look at the plot and it’s easy to understand.

 

During the war, Raymond Shaw is kidnapped and brainwashed to complete any mission at the sight of one card: the Queen of Diamonds. Back stateside Shaw is used to kill his step-father’s political rivals. All of this comes to the tipping point when Shaw is directed to commit a major terror attack by assassinating the presidential nominee. As the plot continues it's revealed that communism runs deeper in our own government than anyone suspected. 

 

The Manchurian Candidate is a paragon on not only how a story can resonate to the audience so well, but how great the movie is technically made. Every little detail adds up in this movie. From how the lighting beautifully reveals our characters and shows more than anything the actors could perform. Every movement of the camera draws you in, making you feel as though you’re sitting in the same room as the actors. 

 

The Manchurian Candidate doesn’t only play games on its characters, but on you too. Subliminal messages run rife in the movie. Appearances of Abraham Lincoln and the queen of diamonds probe deep in your mind to make you question who knows what, and which side they’re on.

 

It’s the 55th anniversary of the Cuban Missile Crisis. We all need to look back to see where we were as a nation, and nothing shows our fears just like the Manchurian Candidate. From McCarthyism to communism, this movie gives commentary on how easy it was for our government officials to do anything to satisfy their craving for more power. 

 

If you call yourself a movie buff but haven’t seen this movie, then you need to fix that. I recommend that you watch this movie at least twice to fully absorb all of what The Manchurian Candidate has to offer. See you later, I’m Parker Carlson.