Captain Bennett Marco (Frank Sinatra), after returning from the Korean War, is haunted by a reoccurring dream of his platoon being captured and brainwashed. The dreams centers on the platoon being hypnotized as part of a demonstration among several communist military. In the process, Staff Sergeant Raymond Shaw (Laurence Harvey) murders several of his men. One problem however, not only is there no record of this, but Shaw was given the Medal of Honor for saving this same platoon in combat.

Not being able to endure these dreams any longer and convinced they are based on truth, Marco asks the military to pursue the matter but gets no support or approval. It is only when soldier Allen Melvin (James Edwards), also a member of the platoon that made it home, reveals to have the same dream and identifies the same military enemies as Marco, that the military decides to start an investigation.

Can Captain Marco peel apart the layers of deceit and learn the truth to his nightmares before it’s too late? What part does the Queen of Diamonds and the game of solitary play in all of this? And what does Shaw's mother, Mrs. Eleanor Iselin (Angela Lansbury) and her husband Senator John Yerkes Iselin (James Gregory) play in all of this?

The Manchurian Candidate is a classic in every sense of the word. From the director to the all-star cast, this is a film that was ahead of its time. Even today the film holds up as one of the all time political thrillers.

Extras

Although a movie that was made almost five decades ago and all the major players are no longer with us, this release is given the full treatment of bonus material. Of course much of it has been made available in previous releases; the new HD transfer makes the black and white shine graininess and all.

First off we have one of the best commentary tracks by one of the greatest American directors. John Frankenheimer’s precise and very insightful audio track is worth a second viewing. I have always been a huge fan of commentary tracks and is reason alone to buy it on Blu-ray. Extras like this help to prevent viewers from just downloading the film off of random sites.

There are no major documentaries offered since the commentary track more than takes care of any retreaded information they would provide. However, with that said, there are still a few extra bonus materials including an interview from 1988 with Frank Sinatra, George Axelrod and John Frankenheimer. Three short featurettes, “Queen of Diamonds” with Angela Lansbury, “A Little Solitaire” with Oscar winning director William Friedkin talking about director Frankenheimer and the film it’s self and “How to Get Shot” also with Lansbury on how she prepared for her exist in the film. There is also a theatrical trailer and “Phone Call” - a twenty six second outtake from William Friedkin when he was interrupted by a ringing of a phone.

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