--- title: "The Manchurian Candidate: the reviews" canonical: "https://film.one/film/the-manchurian-candidate/reviews" title_page: "https://film.one/film/the-manchurian-candidate" critics_score: 91 critics_reviews: 9 licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL." --- # The Manchurian Candidate (1962): what the critics said Critics' score 91 from 9 reviews: 9 positive, 0 mixed, 0 negative. The reviews are unanimous in their approval, and most critics make the same case: that the film’s Cold War paranoia has lost none of its force in the decades since it was made. Praise clusters on two things. Angela Lansbury’s performance as Raymond Shaw’s mother is singled out again and again, described as chilling, commanding and hard-edged. Frankenheimer’s direction draws the rest of the attention, particularly the fragmented press conference, the surreal Manchuria sequence and the distorted compositions that feed the film’s sense of dread. Frank Sinatra’s performance also earns notice from the earliest reviews. Reservations are scarce and the spread is narrow, from a firm recommendation to a full score. The AV Club is the only voice to suggest a flaw, arguing that the film’s set pieces do not always add up to a satisfying whole. The Guardian frames its praise as a case for the original over the later remake. Nobody dissents from the general verdict. ## Radio Times — Anna Richards Rating 5/5. Richards calls the film a masterpiece that remains thrilling and provocative. She singles out its chilling Cold War paranoia and assassination plot. [Read the review](https://www.radiotimes.com/movie-guide/b-v13wfx/the-manchurian-candidate/) ## Time Out — Tom Huddleston Rating 5/5. 12 April 2010. The review presents the film as still politically relevant. It singles out the enduring force of its political intrigue and assassination story. [Read the review](https://www.timeout.com/movies/the-manchurian-candidate-1) ## RogerEbert.com Fi1m's normalised score 90/100 (inferred from the text). The critic regards the film as an outstanding political thriller. Angela Lansbury’s chilling performance is a particular strength. [Read the review](https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/great-movie-the-manchurian-candidate-1962) ## Slant Magazine — Jake Cole Rating 4.5/5. 12 June 2023. Cole praises the disc as a sharpened upgrade to an already excellent presentation of a great conspiracy thriller. He singles out the film’s distorted compositions and unsettling performances for their contribution to its paranoid atmosphere. [Read the review](https://www.slantmagazine.com/dvd/the-manchurian-candidate-4k-uhd-blu-ray-review-review-john-frankenheimer/) ## The AV Club — Mike D'Angelo Rating A-. 12 March 2016. The critic calls the film a thrilling, enduring classic, though its parts do not always cohere into a satisfying whole. Frankenheimer’s inventive set pieces, especially the fragmented press conference and surreal Manchuria sequence, earn particular praise. [Read the review](https://www.avclub.com/the-manchurian-candidate-remains-a-thrilling-classic-of-1798187062) ## Variety — Vincent Canby Fi1m's normalised score 90/100 (inferred from the text). 17 October 1962. Canby finds the film nearly completely satisfying, praising its blend of suspense, satire, humor, and shock. He especially singles out Angela Lansbury’s performance as Raymond Shaw’s scheming mother as poignant and hard-edged. [Read the review](https://variety.com/1962/film/reviews/the-manchurian-candidate-1200420234/) ## The New Yorker — Brendan Gill Fi1m's normalised score 88/100 (inferred from the text). 26 October 1962. Gill gives the film an enthusiastic verdict, praising its gripping, briskly executed melodrama. He especially singles out Frank Sinatra’s performance as terrific. [Read the review](https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/1962/11/03/bad-men-and-good) ## The Guardian — Peter Bradshaw Fi1m's normalised score 85/100 (inferred from the text). 15 April 2010. Bradshaw strongly recommends the original over its remake, calling it a hard-hitting classic. He singles out its eerie hypnosis scenes and unsettling Cold War paranoia. [Read the review](https://www.theguardian.com/film/2010/apr/15/the-manchurian-candidate-review) ## Eye for Film — Andrew Robertson Fi1m's normalised score 82/100 (inferred from the text). 25 February 2022. Festival review. Robertson calls it a compelling conspiracy thriller whose visceral power endures. He particularly praises Angela Lansbury’s commanding performance and Frankenheimer’s inventive visual direction. [Read the review](https://www.eyeforfilm.co.uk/review/the-manchurian-candidate-1962-film-review-by-andrew-robertson) --- © Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Our review: https://film.one/film/the-manchurian-candidate.md