The Manchurian Candidate (1962) Parents Guide: Is the movie OK for kids?
Age Rating, Sex, Violence & Language
Near the end of the Korean War, a platoon of U.S. soldiers is captured by communists and brainwashed. Following the war, the platoon is returned home, and Sergeant Raymond Shaw is lauded as a hero by the rest of his platoon. However, the platoon commander, Captain Bennett Marco, finds himself plagued by strange nightmares and soon races to uncover a terrible plot.
Rated NR • 1962 • 2h 6m
Overall: A Korean War veteran may have been brainwashed to be an assassin — and his manipulative mother may be involved. Frank Sinatra, Laurence Harvey, Angela Lansbury. Unrated but PG-13 equivalent.
Cast
Is The Manchurian Candidate appropriate for kids?
Overall: A Korean War veteran may have been brainwashed to be an assassin — and his manipulative mother may be involved. Frank Sinatra, Laurence Harvey, Angela Lansbury. Unrated but PG-13 equivalent. Read more — free account
Content severity in The Manchurian Candidate
What happens in The Manchurian Candidate, moment by moment
- 0:08 🔥 Mature Themes 2/10
- 0:35 ⚔ Violence & Gore 2/10
- 0:42 🔥 Mature Themes 2/10
Sex and nudity in The Manchurian Candidate
None.
Violence and gore in The Manchurian Candidate
A political assassination. Brainwashing sequences. Classic Hollywood restraint with disturbing content.
Language in The Manchurian Candidate
None of note.
Drugs, alcohol, and smoking in The Manchurian Candidate
None.
Mature themes in The Manchurian Candidate
The film's Oedipal horror — a mother who would sacrifice her son for political power. Political assassination and mind control as American anxieties. The film was withdrawn from release after the Kennedy assassination and not re-released for a decade.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is The Manchurian Candidate appropriate for kids?
Bontent's parent guide suggests The Manchurian Candidate is best for ages 15+. It's rated NR. Overall: A Korean War veteran may have been brainwashed to be an assassin — and his manipulative mother may be involved. Frank Sinatra, Laurence Harvey, Angela Lansbury. Unrated but PG-13 equivalent.
What age rating does The Manchurian Candidate have?
The Manchurian Candidate is officially rated NR. Bontent's independent parent guide recommends it for ages 15+.
What is The Manchurian Candidate about?
Overall: A Korean War veteran may have been brainwashed to be an assassin — and his manipulative mother may be involved. Frank Sinatra, Laurence Harvey, Angela Lansbury. Unrated but PG-13 equivalent.
Is there sex or nudity in The Manchurian Candidate?
None.
How violent is The Manchurian Candidate?
A political assassination. Brainwashing sequences. Classic Hollywood restraint with disturbing content.
Is the language in The Manchurian Candidate appropriate for kids?
None of note.
Are drugs, alcohol, or smoking shown in The Manchurian Candidate?
None.
What mature themes appear in The Manchurian Candidate?
The film's Oedipal horror — a mother who would sacrifice her son for political power. Political assassination and mind control as American anxieties. The film was withdrawn from release after the Kennedy assassination and not re-released for a decade.
How long is The Manchurian Candidate?
The Manchurian Candidate runs 126 minutes, directed by John Frankenheimer, released in 1962.
Where can I read the full The Manchurian Candidate parent guide?
Create a free Bontent account to unlock the full scene-by-scene notes, filter by your kids' ages, and save titles to your personal watchlist.
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