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Overview
User Rating:
Director:
Writers:
Richard Condon (novel)
George Axelrod (screenplay)
more
Release Date:
24 October 1962 (USA) more
Tagline:
When you've seen it all, you'll swear there's never been anything like it! more
Plot:
A former Korean War POW is brainwashed by Communists into becoming a political assassin. But another former prisoner may know how to save him. full summary | add synopsis
Awards:
Nominated for 2 Oscars. Another 6 wins & 4 nominations more
NewsDesk:
(34 articles)
Birthday Suits: Good Hair, and Good Music.
(From FilmExperience. 14 November 2009, 7:29 AM, PST)
Shadows of Russia Schedule
(From Alternative Film Guide. 3 November 2009, 11:31 PM, PST)
User Comments:
Truly, a gem! more (247 total)
Cast
(Complete credited cast)| Frank Sinatra | ... | Maj. Bennett Marco | |
| Laurence Harvey | ... | Raymond Shaw | |
| Janet Leigh | ... | Eugenie Rose Chaney | |
| Angela Lansbury | ... | Mrs. Iselin | |
| Henry Silva | ... | Chunjin | |
| James Gregory | ... | Sen. John Yerkes Iselin | |
| Leslie Parrish | ... | Jocelyn Jordan | |
| John McGiver | ... | Sen. Thomas Jordan | |
| Khigh Dhiegh | ... | Dr. Yen Lo | |
| James Edwards | ... | Cpl. Allen Melvin | |
| Douglas Henderson | ... | Col. Milt | |
| Albert Paulsen | ... | Zilkov | |
| Barry Kelley | ... | Secretary of Defense | |
| Lloyd Corrigan | ... | Holborn Gaines | |
| Madame Spivy | ... | Female Berezovo |
Additional Details
Parents Guide:
Runtime:
126 min
Country:
Language:
Color:
Aspect Ratio:
1.85 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Mono (Westrex Recording System) | Dolby SR | Dolby Digital
Certification:
Finland:(Banned) (1964) (cut) | Finland:(Banned) (1964) (uncut) | Finland:K-16 (1989) (uncut) | UK:A (1962) (cut) | West Germany:16 (f) | South Korea:15 | Australia:M | Norway:15 (re-rating) | Norway:16 (original rating) | Sweden:15 | UK:15 | USA:Approved (original rating) | USA:PG-13
Filming Locations:
67 Riverside Drive, Manhattan, New York City, New York, USA more
Company:
Fun Stuff
Trivia:
Frank Sinatra broke one of his fingers when he hit the table, which was real and not a break-away prop, in the fight sequence with Henry Silva. Due to ongoing filming commitments, he could not rest or bandage his hand properly, causing the injury to heal incorrectly. It caused him chronic discomfort for the rest of his life. more
Goofs:
Continuity: When Rosie and Ben meet on the train, the train passes the same water tower and countryside twice. more
Movie Connections:
Referenced in I Am a Bounty Hunter: Domino Harvey's Life (2006) (V) more
Soundtrack:
The Washington Post more
FAQ
How closely does the movie follow the book?Is "The Mancurian Candidate" based on a novel?
A Note Regarding Spoilers
more
more (247 total)
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Probably John Frankenheimer's best production, and Frank Sinatra's best cinema performance.
I saw this because of the recent 'remake', I would assume that the reader will be making the same comparison. Having never seen this before, I found myself riveted to the story, and absolutely great performances by Sinatra, Laurence Harvey, Janet Leigh, Angela Lansbury, Henry Silva, John McGiver, James Gregory, and Leslie Parrish.
Coincidently, I had just recently finished reading some previously published works about the cold war, in particular the Chambers-Hiss court cases.
It might be accident, but I wouldn't doubt it might have been intended by Frankenheimer to choose Harvey, who resembled Hiss, in appearance and McGiver who resembled Chambers appearance. When this was released in 1962, the Hiss-Chambers spy fiasco was still fresh in the public's mind.
Other American political images are not for want of satire either, since Lansbury and Gregory seemed to have reminded me, in appearance, of Mary and (honest) Abe Lincoln.
The pace, style and non stop tension rivals Hitchcock; it will certainly have you wondering if he had anything to do with this! Truly Frankenhiemer, excels here.
Because Sinatra was box office magnet, most of his other roles seemed 'fitted' for him. Not here! You'll have a chance to see the real Frank Sinatra, really working to make the part work, and without a doubt, he too excels in his role.
I don't think I'll bother to see the recent version yet. I want to see this original classic a few more times.