The Manchurian Candidate Blu-ray - Frank Sinatra (original) (raw)

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directed by John Frankenheimer USA 1962

The 4K UHDedition of The Manchurian Candidate is compared to these editions HERE

A reluctant director, Frankenheimer has created some of the American cinemas true hidden gems, The Manchurian Candidate being his jewel in the crown. His ability to express his political and philosophic views throughout his films has become renowned. The Manchurian Candidate was hidden for over 20 years after its initial release at Frank Sinatra's enforcement following the assassination of president John F. Kennedy.

Raymond Shaw (Laurence Harvey ), returns home from the Korean War and as a hero is presented with the Medal of Valor in Washington. His domineering mother (Angela Lansbury) and Stepfather, Senator Iselin (James Gregory,) wrestle to grab as much positive political coverage out of his heroics and name as possible. Major Bennett Marco (Frank Sinatra) and others who served alongside him remember Shaw differently, however, in duplicated nightmares as a killer brainwashed by Dr Yen Lo, an evil hypnotist from Communist China (Khigh Dhiegh) with Russian top political brass looking on in an amphitheatre. Shaw's mother, Mrs. Iselin, playing a Joseph McCarthy representation, is revealed to be a calculating Communist Agent and her maneuvering is meant to position her husband to the presidency through assassination, with her son being the mentally manipulated hired gun.

NOTE:Sinatra made two films with a plot revolving around a Presidential assassination (the other being Suddenly), but Suddenly became infamous when it was learned Lee Harvey Oswald had watched the film just a few days before he shot President Kennedy. After learning of this, Sinatra had the prints of Suddenly and The Manchurian Candidate removed from circulation.

Posters

Theatrical Release: Oct. 24th, 1962

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Comparison:

MGM (Old FF) - Region 1 - NTSC vs. MGM (Old WS) - Region 1 - NTSC vs. MGM (New WS) - Region 1 - NTSC vs. MGM - Region FREE - Blu-ray vs. Arrow Films - Region 'B' - Blu-ray vs.Criterion (4K restoration) - Region 'A' - Blu-ray

Big thanks to Enrique B Chamorrofor all the DVD Screen Caps!

Box Covers
Distribution	MGM Region 1 - NTSC	MGM Region 1 - NTSC	MGM Region 1 - NTSC

		Coming to 4K UHD from Kino in June 2023:
MGM Region FREE - Blu-ray	Arrow Video Region 'B' - Blu-ray	Criterion Collection - Spine #803 - Region 'A' Blu-ray

Runtime	2:06:20	2:06:20	2:06:16	2:06:32.042	2:06:30.457	2:06:56.400
Video	1.33:1 Aspect Ratio Average Bitrate: 4.13 mb/s NTSC 704x480 29.97 f/s	1.75:1 Original Aspect Ratio Average Bitrate: 4.10 mb/s NTSC 704x480 29.97 f/s	1.75:1 Original Aspect Ratio 16X9 enhanced Average Bitrate: 5.62 mb/s NTSC 704x480 29.97 f/s	Disc Size: 42,783,545,550 bytes Feature Size: 40,297,746,432 bytes Total Bitrate: 35.98 Mbps Dual-layered Blu-ray MPEG4 - AVC	Disc Size:46,479,865,842 bytes Feature Size: 37,330,148,928 bytes Total Bitrate: 34.99 Mbps Dual-layered Blu-ray MPEG4 - AVC	Disc Size:47,338,973,824 bytes Feature Size: 37,387,290,624 bytes Total Bitrate: 34.91 Mbps Dual-layered Blu-ray MPEG4 - AVC
	NOTE: The Vertical axis represents the bits transferred per second. The Horizontal is the time in minutes.
Bitrate: MGM (Old FF)
Bitrate: MGM (Old WS)
Bitrate: MGM (New WS)
Bitrate: MGM Blu-ray
Bitrate: Masters of Cinema Blu-ray
Bitrate: C riterion Blu-ray
Audio	English, French, Spanish DD 1.0	English, French, Spanish DD 1.0	English DD 5.1 & 1.0, Spanish DD 1.0	DTS-HD Master Audio English 3020 kbps 5.1 / 48 kHz / 3020 kbps / 24-bit (DTS Core: 5.1 / 48 kHz / 1509 kbps / 24-bit) Dolby Digital Audio French 640 kbps 5.1 / 48 kHz / 640 kbps / DN -4dB Dolby Digital Audio English 256 kbps 2.0 / 48 kHz / 256 kbps Dolby Digital Audio Spanish 256 kbps 2.0 / 48 kHz / 256 kbps / DN -2dB	LPCM Audio English 1152 kbps 1.0 / 48 kHz / 1152 kbps / 24-bit Commentary: Dolby Digital Audio English 192 kbps 2.0 / 48 kHz / 192 kbps	LPCM Audio English 1152 kbps 1.0 / 48 kHz / 1152 kbps / 24-bit Commentary: Dolby Digital Audio English 192 kbps 1.0 / 48 kHz / 192 kbps
Subtitles	English, French, Spanish, none	English, French, Spanish, none	English, French, Spanish, none	English (SDH), French, Spanish, none	English (SDH), none	English (SDH), none
Features	Release Information: Studio: MGM Aspect Ratio: Fullscreen - 1.33:1 Edition Details: • VOB file dates: 02/20/98 • Static Menus • 8 page booklet • Comm. by dir. Frankenheimer • 1988 video interview with Frankenheimer, Sinatra, & Axelrod • Original theatrical trailer DVD Release Date: 03/24/98 Plastic Keepcase Chapters 36	Release Information: Studio: MGM Aspect Ratio: Widescreen letterboxed - 1.75:1 Edition Details: • VOB file dates: 02/20/98 • Static Menus • 8 page booklet • Comm. by dir. Frankenheimer • 1988 video interview with Frankenheimer, Sinatra, & Axelrod • Original theatrical trailer DVD Release Date: 03/24/98 Plastic Keepcase Chapters 36	Release Information: Studio: MGM Aspect Ratio: Widescreen anamorphic - 1.75:1 Edition Details: • VOB file dates: 04/27/04 • Animated Menus • 8 page booklet (same text, new layout / photos) • Same commentary track • Same 1988 video interview 7:47 • Same original theatrical trailer 1:01 • Queen of Diamonds - Angela Lansbury interview 14:48 • A Little Solitaire - William Friedkin interview 13:15 • Photo Gallery - 57 stills • MGM Great Movies trailers 1:12 • MGM Academy Awards Winners trailers 1:16 • Easter Egg - William Friedkin clip 0:25 • Easter Egg Angela Lansbury clip 1:06 DVD Release Date: 07/13/04 Plastic Keepcase Chapters 36	Release Information: Studio: MGM Disc Size: 42,783,545,550 bytes Feature Size: 40,297,746,432 bytesTotal Bitrate: 35.98MbpsDual-layered Blu-ray MPEG4 - AVC Edition Details: • Commentary track • Same 1988 video interview 7:47 • Same original theatrical trailer 1:01 • Queen of Diamonds - Angela Lansbury interview 14:48 • A Little Solitaire - William Friedkin interview 13:15 Blu-ray Release Date: May 10th, 2011 StandardBlu-ray case Chapters 36	Release Information: Studio: Arrow 1.78:1 Disc Size:46,479,865,842 bytes Feature Size: 37,330,148,928 bytes Total Bitrate: 34.99 Mbps Dual-layered Blu-ray MPEG4 - AVC Edition Details: • Audio commentary by director John Frankenheimer • The Directors: John Frankenheimer, an hour-long portrait from 2003, including interviews with Frankenheimer, Kirk Douglas, Samuel L. Jackson, Roy Scheider, Rod Steiger and many others (58:32) • Interview with John Frankenheimer, Frank Sinatra and screenwriter George Axelrod from the film s 1988 revival (7:48) • Queen of Diamonds: an interview with Angela Lansbury (14:51) • A Little Solitaire: an appreciation of the film by director William Friedkin (The Exorcist) (13:18) • Theatrical trailer (1:56) • Reversible sleeve featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Jay Shaw • Collector s booklet containing new writing by Peter Knight (Conspiracy Culture) and Neil Sanders (Your Thoughts Are Not Your Own), illustrated with original production stills Blu-ray Release Date: February 23rd, 2015 TransparentBlu-ray case Chapters 12	Release Information: Studio: Criterion Aspect Ratio: 1.75:1 1080P Dual-layeredBlu-ray Disc Size: 49,281,254,594 bytes Feature: 30,709,309,440 bytes bytes Video Bitrate: 30.42 Mbps Codec: MPEG-4 AVC Video Edition Details: • Audio commentary from 1997 featuring director John Frankenheimer • New interview with actor Angela Lansbury (10:48) • New piece featuring filmmaker Errol Morris discussing his appreciation for The Manchurian Candidate (16:33) • Conversation between Frankenheimer, screenwriter George Axelrod, and actor Frank Sinatra from 1987 (7:50) • New interview with historian Susan Carruthers about the Cold War brainwashing scare (20:51) • Trailer (1:52) Blu-ray Release Date: March 15th, 2016Transparent Keep case Chapter: 20

Comments

The 4K UHD edition of The Manchurian Candidate is compared to these editions HERE NOTE: The below Blu-ray captures were taken directly from the Blu-ray disc. ADDITION: Criterion (4K Digital Restoration) - Region 'A' - Blu-ray February 16': Okay, well I missed this first time and have added some comments to the Arrow review. This, again, is why I value comparative analysis. I appreciate when their are differences - the less-subtle the better. The brittleness and possible edge-enhancement are more prominent on the Arrow when you toggle between it and the new Criterion (4K digital restoration). I will guess it is either a different source or there has been some black-level boosting on the UKBlu-ray (or both) cited as being from MGM's original elements. It's not flagrant - I've tried to show it in a screen grab - but, I think, you will see it when toggling between it and the Criterion via the full resolution captures. If existing - it is minor. I have only done six comparison captures for the Criterion - because I think that tells enough of the story here. The captures that I am certain are exact frame matches with the Arrow are the helicopter, on the train with Janet Leigh, and probably the Angela Lansbury / Queen Diamonds one (hard to do 'exact' as the framing is slightly different). The technicals are pretty much the same between all threeBlu-rays- dual-layered - very high bitrate - AVC. The Criterion shows the most at the bottom and left edges of the frame - and often the right edge as well. The Criterion is an accurate 1.75:1 and the Arrow 1.78:1. The Arrow has richer, darker black levels and more (fabricated?) grain. I really liked how the Arrow looked on my 60" Plasma but I think the Criterion is the most accurate - in fact, I'm pretty sure of it after an extensive analysis on my own system. But I am just one man - and that is my opinion - you may differ. I always think it's great to have a choice (why we encourage region-freedom). You can easily see that it's more passive, contrast-wise but I can assure you the Criterion 4K restoration presentation is an excellent one - at their usual lofty standards. Like Arrow, Criterion respectfully for-go the surround bump for a more authentic linear PCM monaural track. The score by David Amram (The Young Savages, The Arrangement) sounds flat but with some depth - exceptionally moody. I've always liked the score but appreciate more each viewing. I was able to distinguish no difference from the, also uncompressed, Arrow audio. There are optional English (SDH) subtitles - which I am still not able to capture in a still - on the region 'A'-locked Blu-raydisc. Criterion add the audio commentary from 1997 featuring director John Frankenheimer plus the, 8-minute, 87', conversation between Frankenheimer, screenwriter George Axelrod, and actor Frank Sinatra reunited for the first time since making the production. But there are some new supplements as well. We can see a new 11-minute interview with actor Angela Lansbury conducted by Criterion in November 2015 (NY) and a new 16-minute piece featuring filmmaker Errol Morris discussing his appreciation for The Manchurian Candidate. I enjoyed this as I like Morris and so greatly respect his opinions. There is also an educational new, 21-minute, interview with historian Susan Carruthers about the Cold War brainwashing scare. She has some great information and is the author of Cold War Captives: Imprisonment, Escape, and Brainwashing. There is also a trailer. I only have the screener disc and can't see details of a liner notes booklet on the Criterion website (at present) but suspect there is one and those details are forthcoming. As you may have anticipated - the Criterion is a wonderful Blu-ray package of another important film - the director Frankenheimer's most notable. Doubling up from the Arrow is a personal decision but region 'A'-locked audiences shouldn't hesitate - a very strong recommendation! *** ADDITION: Arrow - Region 'B' - Blu-ray February 15': The Arrow 1080P image is superior - it is smoother (less clunky background) and supports the grain structure to a higher degree. The Arrow also shows more information in the frame - notable on the side edges but still less than the SE DVD?! Contrast and technical specs are about the same but overall the Arrow is a shade thin and possibly has had some black-level boosting. I don't know how this would effect individuals - it would depend on how discerning you are or your system. Arrow use a linear PCM monaural track. The score by David Amram (The Young Savages, The Arrangement) sounds flat but with some depth - exceptionally moody. There are optional English subtitles on the region 'B'-locked Blu-raydisc. Arrow include the same audio commentary by director John Frankenheimer as found on many of the other, past, digital releases - as well as the 15-minute Queen of Diamonds interview with Angela Lansbury, the slightly shorter A _Little Solitaire_appreciation of the film by director William Friedkin and a trailer. Arrows stack further with the hour-long _The Directors: John Frankenheimer_portrait from 2003, including interviews with Frankenheimer, Kirk Douglas, Samuel L. Jackson, Roy Scheider, Rod Steiger and many others plus an 8-minute interview with John Frankenheimer, Frank Sinatra and screenwriter George Axelrod from the film's 1988 revival. The package has a DVD odf the feature and a reversible sleeve featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Jay Shaw plus a collector's booklet containing new writing by Peter Knight (Conspiracy Culture) and Neil Sanders (Your Thoughts Are Not Your Own), illustrated with original production stills. Arrow wins with the authentic audio and more extras.It is the best digital package, at present (probably until Criterion comes along), for this monumental film experience. A strong recommendation! *** ADDITION: MGM Blu-ray May 11': Another dual-layered Blu-ray from MGM. The Manchurian Candidate has always looked a little murky but this is a significant improvement over the DVDs at almost 7 times the bitrate but the visuals are far from pristine. It betters the best SD in most areas - with some improvement in detail and another notch up in contrast (a shade brighter). In-motion this is almost a revelation and hopefully the screen captures will indicate as much to you although it is imperfect. Audio stays with the bump in a DTS-HD Master 5.1 at an abundantly strong 3020 kbps 5.1. There isn't a lot of aggressive audio in The Manchurian Candidate but the track extracts whatever there is and separation is a bit fumble-ly but when you hear a crisp effect out of the rears it tends to make up for it. There is a surprising crispness over the DVDs. The same subtitle options and extras exist - commentary, Sinatra / Lansbury /Friedkin etc. interviews. This classic looks and sounds only better in 1080P and I'm a big fan of The Manchurian Candidate. *** ON THE DVDs: The new SE DVD is sharper, brighter and has superior contrast. It's interesting to see what you were missing from the 'Full-frame' side of the initial DVD (zoomed in). Where the old edition showed some film grain (excessive), the new one SE can seem somewhat flattened. Certainly there are better black and white transfers out there. I suspect the old version as having some contrast boosting as the brightness can appear quite uneven throughout a viewing. It is also very dull with a brown/sepia sheen over the image. The new SE has both the original audio and a boosted 5.1 track that can make the world of difference in certain scenes (for non-purists), but mostly the film is dialogue driven. The director commentary is the same as in the initial DVD offering, so is a 'reunion' interview with screenwriter George Axelrod, director John Frankenheimer and Frank Sinatra for the initial 1988 release (Sinatra purchased the rights and kept the film theatrically buried for over 25 years). Two new featurettes include an interview with Angela Lansbury and another with director William Friedkin (director of 'The Exorcist'). There is also a trailer (same as old), a photo gallery and a couple of 'easter eggs'. Not too hard a choice at all - new SE for sure. - Gary Tooze

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MGM (Old FF) - Region 1 - NTSC - LEFT vs. MGM (Old WS) - Region 1 - NTSC - MIDDLE vs. MGM (New WS) - Region 1 - NTSC - RIGHT)