The Manchurian Candidate

The Manchurian Candidate is a 1962 political thriller directed by John Frankenheimer, starring Frank Sinatra, Laurence Harvey, and Angela Lansbury. Here are five behind-the-scenes facts about the film: 

• Frank Sinatra's Involvement: Frank Sinatra, who played Major Bennett Marco, was instrumental in making the film. He was a big fan of Richard Condon's novel, on which the movie is based, and used his clout in Hollywood to secure the film rights. Sinatra's involvement attracted significant talents, such as director John Frankenheimer and co-star Angela Lansbury.

• Angela LansbuLansbury'sifference: In real life, Angela Lansbury, who played Mrs. Eleanor Iselin, the manipulative mother of Raymond Shaw (played by Laurence Harvey), was only three years older than Harvey. Despite the small age gap, LansbuLansbury'srmance was so convincing that it is often overlooked. Her role earned her an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress.

• Controversial Subject Matter: The film was surrounded by controversy due to its daring subject matter, including brainwashing, political assassination, and manipulating power. Its themes of Cold War paranoia and conspiracy were considered quite bold for the time, especially since it was released just after the height of McCarthyism. The film about a brainwashed assassin struck a nerve with audiences, given the tense political climate of the early 1960s.

• JFK Assassination and Withdrawal: After the assassination of President John F. Kennedy in 1963, the film was withdrawn from circulation for several years. There was speculation that Frank Sinatra, a close friend of the Kennedys, was uncomfortable with the film’s assassination plot mirroring the real-life tragedy. It was only in 1988 that the film was re-released and reintroduced to audiences, receiving critical acclaim and renewed interest.

• Innovative Cinematic Techniques: Director John Frankenheimer employed innovative cinematic techniques to heighten the film's logical tension. One of the most notable scenes is the brainwashing sequence, where the camera rotates 360 degrees, alternating between a ladies' garden club meeting and a Soviet interrogation room. This disorienting effect was groundbreaking and contributed to the film's haunfilm's surreal atmosphere. Additionally, FrankenheimFrankenheimer'sse-ups and unusual camera angles helped to convey the paranoia and manipulation central to the story.