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Poster for The Manchurian Candidate

The Manchurian Candidate

Seen it?

1962 | 126 min | Thriller, Drama

Saturday Special

Why it’s a Saturday Special

Critics loved it (96% on Rotten Tomatoes) and it's still drawing plenty of interest. A strong pick for the weekend.

Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.

Is it for you?

Who'll love it
Made for anyone who likes to be kept guessing. If you loved The Manchurian Candidate, start here. Critics rate it higher than audiences do, so it rewards patience more than it chases thrills.
The mood
Tense.
The pace
Takes its time with its characters, at 2 hr 6 min.
What might put you off
  • Rated PG-13: peril. Probably too much for younger kids.
  • Made in 1962: an older pace and style.
  • Audiences were cooler on it than critics.

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 is lauded as a hero by the rest of his platoon. However, the platoon commander, Captain Bennett Marco, finds himself plagued by strange nightmares and soon races to uncover a terrible plot.

How it earned its rating

  • CriticsVery strong

    96% on Rotten Tomatoes, 94 on Metacritic

  • AudiencesSolid

    7.5 out of 10

  • AwardsSolid

    Nominated for 2 Oscars.

  • Box office & staying powerSolid

    $8 million worldwide on a $2 million budget; still draws a steady audience long after release

  • Buzz & cultural impactStrong

    About 304K people sought it out in the past year

Trailer

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Cast & crew

Directed by John Frankenheimer

  • Frank SinatraCapt./Maj. Bennett Marco
  • Laurence HarveyRaymond Shaw
  • Angela LansburyMrs. Iselin
  • Janet LeighEugenie Rose Chaney
  • James GregorySen. John Yerkes Iselin
  • Henry SilvaChunjin
  • Leslie ParrishJocelyn Jordan
  • John McGiverSen. Thomas Jordan
  • Khigh DhieghDr. Yen Lo
  • James EdwardsCpl. Allen Melvin