The Manchurian Candidate Blu-ray Review

The Criterion Blu-ray release of John Frankenheimer's "The Manchurian Candidate," presented in the director's preferred aspect ratio of 1.75:1 and encoded with MPEG-4 AVC, impresses with a meticulously crafted 1080p transfer. Sourced from a new 4K restoration, the transfer was created using a Scanity film scanner and the 35mm original camera negative. Frankenheimer's previous supervisory on a prior transfer was utilized as a reference, ensuring fidelity to the director's vision. Thousands of dirt, debris, scratches, and other flaws were carefully removed, and Digital Vision's Phoenix handled grain, noise management, and flicker elimination.

The visual presentation is strikingly clear with well-resolved grain distribution, especially noticeable in daylight outdoor scenes. The frame reveals more information at the bottom and sides, contributing to a balanced, natural smoothness devoid of digital over-manipulation. Contrast levels are exquisitely balanced, delivering nuanced visual details and deep, rich blacks without blooming whites, enhancing the film's gritty realism, particularly in exteriors. Close-ups offer remarkable detail, capturing facial textures and stubble with precision. However, a slight darkness pervades compared to previous releases. One notable sequence with Laurence Harvey and Frank Sinatra shows minor light crushing and inherited density fluctuations, but these are minor detractors in an otherwise stable and blemish-free image experience.

Overall, Criterion's new restoration of "The Manchurian Candidate" stands out with its marvelous depth, meticulously preserved details, and an organic feel that respects Frankenheimer’s cinematic technique. The restoration eliminates any distracting noise or visible damage, providing an exemplary viewing experience that will engage and satisfy devotees of this classic thriller.

The audio presentation on "The Manchurian Candidate" Blu-ray is delivered via a newly remastered English LPCM 1.0 track. This meticulous restoration effort immediately pays off, eliminating the light background hiss present in previous releases and offering superior clarity. For instance, the sequence featuring Laurence Harvey and Frank Sinatra around the 01:02:30 mark demonstrates improved depth and separation, enhancing the overall auditory experience. The audio track remains consistent throughout, free from dropouts, pops, or digital distortions, ensuring a seamless viewing experience.

Remastered at 24-bit from the original 35 mm optical soundtrack negative, the LPCM mono track excels in fidelity and tonal depth. The audio is devoid of any age-related imperfections like hiss, pops, or crackles, contributing to a pristine listening environment. Ambient effects are well-integrated, while elements such as fisticuffs, gunfire, and shattering glass are rendered with remarkable crispness. David Amram's music score benefits from a wide dynamic range, filling the room effectively without overshadowing the dialogue or on-screen action. Dialogue clarity is generally high, though some lines may be challenging to understand due to actor delivery rather than audio flaws. Overall, this remastering effort provides a well-balanced and unobtrusive audio experience that supports the film's narrative seamlessly.

Criterion's Blu-ray release of "The Manchurian Candidate" includes a comprehensive selection of extras that provide deep insights into the film's production and socio-political context. The highlights are detailed interviews with key personalities including Angela Lansbury, who reflects on her experience and her co-stars, and historian Susan Carruthers, who delves into the historical backdrop of the brainwashing theme. Errol Morris offers a unique perspective on the film's lasting impact. An archival interview featuring John Frankenheimer, Frank Sinatra, and George Axelrod gives firsthand anecdotes about the film's development, including the notorious karate fight scene. John Frankenheimer's previously recorded audio commentary remains an invaluable technical resource. The inclusion of the original theatrical trailer adds to the nostalgic value of this package.

Extras included in this disc:

• Angela Lansbury: Actress discusses her work with John Frankenheimer and Frank Sinatra.
• Errol Morris: Director discusses post-WW2 America and the film's socio-political themes.
• Susan Carruthers: Historian covers brainwashing origins and the Red Scare era.
• John Frankenheimer, Frank Sinatra, and George Axelrod: Archival interview on the film's production.
• Audio Commentary: Director Frankenheimer's detailed technical commentary.
• Trailer: Original theatrical trailer with a foreboding tone.

John Frankenheimer's 1962 classic, The Manchurian Candidate, remains a pinnacle of Cold War cinema, richly capturing the paranoia and unease of its time. This Blu-ray edition from Criterion, with its meticulous transfer and comprehensive supplemental features, does justice to both the film’s narrative complexity and its visual artistry. The movie follows Sergeant Raymond Shaw (Laurence Harvey), hailed as a hero upon returning from the Korean War, only to be engulfed in horrific flashbacks that hint at a deeper, insidious truth. As his former captain, Bennett Marco (Frank Sinatra), dives into an intense investigation, he discovers their shared nightmares are far more than mere post-traumatic stress—they are fragments of an elaborate brainwashing scheme by Communist operatives.

The narrative builds slowly but surely, revealing Shaw's transformation from war hero to a tragic puppet in a grand political theater orchestrated by his domineering mother, Eleanor Shaw Iselin (Angela Lansbury), and her machinations to place his stepfather, Senator John Iselin (James Gregory), in a position of power. The performances are genuinely outstanding—Harvey’s stoic yet vulnerable portrayal of Shaw, Sinatra’s desperate search for truth as Marco, and most notably, Lansbury's chillingly commanding presence as Eleanor. Frankenheimer’s direction is nothing short of masterful, utilizing innovative cinematography techniques such as extreme close-ups and creative use of TV monitors to enhance the film’s unsettling mood. Lionel Lindon's cinematography and David Amram's atmospheric score further elevate the film’s tense, noir-esque atmosphere.

The Manchurian Candidate deftly intertwines themes of political exploitation and psychological manipulation within a gripping thriller format. Its deliberate pacing and layered storytelling demand attention, while its dialogue on American socio-political realities of the 1950s remains disturbingly relevant. The intricate choreography of brainwashing sequences and perfectly timed reveals keep viewers on edge, cementing its status as an exemplary piece of cinema that resonates with contemporary fears and suspicions. Criterion's release not only preserves this seminal work for posterity but also enriches it with insightful interviews and archival commentary, making it an essential acquisition for cinephiles and scholars alike.

The 1962 classic, "The Manchurian Candidate," directed by John Frankenheimer, remains a chilling Cold War thriller that grips audiences with its intense, violent narrative. This masterfully crafted story of a brainwashed American POW transformed into an emotionless assassin by his Communist captors is anchored by stellar performances from Frank Sinatra, Laurence Harvey, Janet Leigh, and notably Angela Lansbury, whose portrayal of a manipulative and malevolent mother is both compelling and terrifying. Criterion's Blu-ray release harnesses the film's power with a high-quality video sourced from a new 4K master and superior audio transfers, making the tension and drama even more palpable.

The film's technical presentation on this Blu-ray is outstanding. The visual fidelity delivers crisp, detailed blacks and sharp contrasts that highlight Frankenheimer's meticulous direction, enhancing the viewer's immersion in the labyrinthine plot. The audio mix ensures that the film’s dialogue and haunting score are presented with clarity and depth, making the suspenseful scenes even more electrifying. Supplementary materials included in this release provide valuable insights into the film's production and lasting impact, further enriching the viewing experience.

It is scary to see how accurately John Frankenheimer predicted the future in "The Manchurian Candidate." And it is deeply unsettling to know that in the wired world we live in, the film feels even more relevant today, as seemingly daily we learn how easily some people are brainwashed by dangerous terror groups. Criterion's upcoming Blu-ray release of "The Manchurian Candidate" is sourced from a brand new 4K master and looks very good in high-definition. VERY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.