proud_luddite A platoon of U.S. soldiers is kidnapped and brainwashed during the Korean War. One of them, Raymond Shaw (Laurence Harvey), is trained to be an assassin once he returns to the U.S. Another (Frank Sinatra) tries to unravel the mystery of what happened during the war due to his nightmares.The screenplay by George Axelrod (based on the book by Richard Condon) seems busy at first but it concludes perfectly in three successive scenes at the end - all of them perfectly executed and edge-of-your-seat thrilling.The first is between Harvey and Sinatra. It is a perfect wrap-up of all that happened during their war imprisonment.The second is between Harvey and Angela Lansbury who portrays his mother, an anti-Communist viper whose extreme ambitions are forced onto her husband (Raymond's stepfather), a dupe of a U.S. Senator. (Back in those days, politically ambitious women - both good and not so good - could not have their own careers so they had to manipulate and groom a man in their place.) As Lansbury uncovers more truth in this scene, she is chilling - not just for the information she reveals but the shocking way she delivers it.The final grand conclusion takes place at a presidential nomination convention at Madison Square Garden . The brilliant use of a crowd scene adds further thrill to an event that is even more shocking than the scenes that precede this one. Despite knowing the conclusion, my heart was pounding before the grand event. This scene alone shows the true mettle of director John Frankenheimer who has done a great job overall. (Another great scene is the brainwashing scene at the beginning.)Among the performances, Sinatra is great as the hero while Harvey is peerless as someone whose mind doesn't fully belong to him. Yet even in this great company, Lansbury stands out.OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENTS:Directing by John FrankenheimerActing (in a supporting role) by Angela Lansbury

Mr-Fusion One of the big surprises about "The Manchurian Candidate" is Angela Lansbury in a villainous role. Between "Murder, She Wrote" and her work for Disney, you can't help but entertain a kindly image of the actor.The other surprise is how potent this still is, even at the 55 year mark. Maybe that's because I lobe '70s movies of the genre, but even still, this is a highly effective political thriller. And that's due in large part to Frankenheimer's skilled direction and a script full of inventive deceit. It even has plenty of time to skewer McCarthyism. Almost everything seen here has been done since, but you're still left unprepared for that one last plot twist. Well-executed, to say the least.The cast is star-studded, the story's engrossing and there's almost a playful sense of humor to it.Great movie.8/10

Hitchcoc One has to have a bit of suspension of disbelief to really totally embrace this movie. What I mean is that there are so many variables that could go wrong. Still, it is a startling film that will stay with you for decades. A group of men have been imprisoned in Manchuria where they are subjected to brainwashing and hypnosis. They have been give post- hypnotic suggestions which will cause them to act in a certain way. One of the men, who supposedly saved them all, is the pivot man. He is spoken of by his men as the greatest thing ever. In reality, in the minds of the men, he is an unapproachable, cruel man. The other things that he is are revealed as the movie progresses. Angela Lansbury plays the wife of a political candidate. She is dangerous and is connected n a sick way to her son. She is working to get her husband elected President. One criticism of the film is the use of hypnosis and its implications but this is still a tense, enjoyable film.

Byrdz This one is yet another re-watch and what a picture it is. It has held up very very well over the years and is still absolutely spell binding.All of the players are incredibly well played from start to finish but... I must mention the one real flaw ... Janet Leigh's character is like something from another film and just does not make any sense. Strangers one minute and life companions the next ? Really ! But, that being said. It is well worth a watch and be sure to check out the trivia section on the IMDb page for the Manchurian Candidate.Angela Lansbury was only 36 years old when she made this film and was only 3 years older than Laurence Harvey playing her son. She is nothing less than magnificent. Her best "evil to the core" Angela.