.Synopsis
Ben Marco, captain of a platoon who fought in the Korean war and has returned to the US with recognitions of their triumphs. Once settled back in the states, Marco establishes that himself, like other members of the platoon are having recurring nightmares about Marco's sergeant Raymond Shaw who is nominated to win a medal of honour for his work in Korea, saving multiple lives but the nightmares project another story where Raymond savagely kills members of his own platoon. Marco now ventures on a pursuit for Shaw to uncover the truth and find the reasons behind this dream and why his platoon have been affected by this...
The 2004 adaptation of the film follows the same storyline but the basis of their problem originates from Kuwait fighting the first Gulf War where Marco's unit has also been tampered with in unusual ways...
1962
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The trailer to the Manchurian candidate has a variety of different effects on its audience. Firstly, the bold white writing from the outset juxtaposed to the intense black background is inviting yet threatening to the audience on first impressions thus creating an insidious environment for them while watching the trailer. This is thoroughly supported by the menacing and hypnotic whaling sound heard over the writing corresponding with booming sounds of drums which create an ambiance of destruction and vaguely hypnotizes the audience and engages them in the trailer, withholding their full attention. This relates to features of the film where characters have been brainwashed and hypnotized to think and act a certain way and implies the trailer makes the audience feel like they must continue watching to find out more about the film. This is abruptly interrupted with diegetic sound of a screaming man and while the audience are already tense, this works as an instigator of shock for the audience. The continued and sustained interaction between the sound, the peculiar bold messages and interruption by fast and iconic sequences from the film maintain a tense atmosphere for the audience to be enveloped by. The messages on screen imply that it is mandatory to watch the whole film to be able to understand and relate to the concepts involved and gives the impression that if you don't watch it then you have missed something incredible. This is provoking and makes the audience considerably more eager to watch the film.
Mother scene
This scene is an extremely iconic scene within the film despite not containing any dramatic action sequences or fast pacing conflict. Raymond is seen to be lectured by his mother about what is wrong with his involvement with the people who are of a communist nature and belief. There are messages behind this scene for the audience to register based on the period the film was made. The statue and picture of Abraham Lincoln in the foreground and background represent the idea of freedom as he is renowned for abolishing slavery in the states. This idea has a positive correlation with the ideology of Shaw's mother Eleanor where she states, "Stand up for what's right and freedom" which relates to her views as a right wing politician. The overall message given off to the audience is that the political views of right wing parties are positive and right and that communism is threatening and dangerous with references such as "communist tart" in the description of the girl Raymond is associated with. The speed of editing is extremely slow using up to only 3 shots throughout the entire scene which shows that the main purpose of this scene is not to present fast and engaging action but to send subliminal messages out to the audience and almost utilise Eleanor as a tool of indoctrination for the people watching the film.
2004
The trailer
In contrary to the 1962 version of the Manchurian candidate, the trailer is modernized and fast paced with tension sustained throughout based on the tempo. This is evident of the technology advancement that has taken place in between the years each film was made. The editing of the trailer is many times faster than the 1962 trailer which has more visual impact as the audiences' attention is rapidly changed with each shot where each clip only lasts for roughly 1-3 seconds. This supported by the fact that most of the sequences have highly significant aspects of the film in each. Furthermore, the sound throughout the trailer has a significant part to play in the effectiveness of placing impressions onto the audience. Similarly to the 1962 trailer, there are menacing and unsettling mixture of diegetic and non diegetic sounds playing within the background while the action on screen is taking place. The discussion between the characters on screen gives hints to what the film might be about which increases the audiences' desire to learn more about the film and may encourage them to further make the time to watch the film. Similarly to the previous trailer, the correlation of the fast editing and the thunderous and menacing diegetic and non diegetic sound in conjunction with each other sustains suspense and allows the trailer to hold its audience at its mercy.
Interrogation
The scene opens with extremely horrific images of the corpse of Corporal Al melvin and the effective usage of the extreme close up on his blood shot eye to induce feelings of terror and dread into the audience. It captures their imagination and is a thought provoking beginning to the scene based on the fact that it is not clear how Al Melvin passed away and it is left to the audiences' imagination to decide for themselves how he died. Furthermore, throughout the scene while the men are questioning Ben, their is a low essence of music which reflects the nature of the conversation and appears quite mysterious. This is then amplified to more bold and threatening music when Ben starts discussing the implant in Shaw's back, highlighting this aspect of the interrogation as important and the audience can register this through the use of the non diegetic sound. As the discussion progresses, the intensity also increases and the man manipulative of Marco leans in closer and closer to him, vocally provoking him and suspense increases until we reach climax and the man is punched.
Unofficial trailer
This adapted advertisement of the film for channel 4 places the exotic music at the forefront of the sequence. It is powerful and outstanding so the audience are kept thrilled and stimulated while watching. The cooperation of the extremely fast editing in sync with the music creates suspense especially as the selection of sequences chosen from the film by channel 4 are key moments and are disturbing and terrifying, therefore inducing intrigue and stimulation into the spectating audience.
Opening scene
The audience are subject to the opening battle at the very beginning of the film which takes place in Kuwait. By setting the battle within modern history, the events are much more immediate for the audience and they are able to engage in an relate to the setting and atmosphere of the film better. The graphical developments and how sophisticated the editing is makes the action that much more significant to the audience. It is contrasted to the original film based on the fact that the action is on an advanced set using some real locations instead of a fake grassy mound with the leading characters battling in an unusual manner. The technology developments means CGI filming can be used in correlation with special effects and features such as explosion and night vision can be used to enhance the impact and impact that the action has on the audience. This also makes the film realistic and believeable.
Production Values
•The modern film:
•Floods the screen with red in the
‘flashback’ scene – blood and the subconscious mind.
•Has non-diegetic music that sounds like
blood pumping around the brain in the flashback scene.
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