The Manchurian Candidate (1962)

Set during the Korean war, a U.S. Army sergeant (Laurence Harvey) is given the Congressional Medal Of Honor for bravery upon his Captain's (Frank Sinatra) recommendation for saving his platoon in combat. But on his return home, the Captain has disturbing nightmares involving communist military leaders brainwashing the soldiers. Based on the novel by Richard Condon (WINTER KILLS) and directed by John Frankenheimer. This is the granddaddy of conspiracy thrillers and not only has it not lost its edge, it seems eerily relevant in today's disturbing political landscape. The intensity of the paranoia is occasionally alleviated by the film's black humor. Cleverly constructed, Frankenheimer slowly weaves the twists and turns of the film's narrative until its full horror is revealed. And what performances! The film reminds us what a great actor Sinatra could be when he put his mind to it, it's Harvey's best performance and Angela Lansbury's mother from Hell can truly be called an iconic performance. The subtle score is by David Amram (SPLENDOR IN THE GRASS). With Janet Leigh, James Gregory, Henry Silva, Leslie Parrish, John McGiver, James Edwards and Helen Kleeb.