The Manchurian Candidate [SOUNDTRACK]

Rachel Portman (Artist)

Product Details

• Audio CD (September 14, 2004)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Soundtrack
• Label: Varese Sarabande
• ASIN: B0002VESQO
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #74,367 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Track Listings

1. Theme from the Manchurian Candidate [Jazz Version]

2. Queen of Diamonds

3. John Birch Lurch

4. Slightly Manchurian Blues

5. Summer Affair/Wiggin' Out in Central Park

6. Night in the Garden

7. Theme from the Manchurian Candidate (Main Title)

8. Mesopitamian Mambo

9. Fortunate Son [Instrumental]

10. Black Helicopters, Secret Laboratories, Mind Drugs... - Wyclef Jean

11. Sergeant Raymond Shaw

12. Deep Implant Behavior Modification - Wyclef Jean

13. "What If This Is All a Dream"

14. "I Am the Enemy, Major Marco"

15. Assasin Always Dies

16. "There Are Always Casualties in War"

17. Fortunate Son

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

As a special bonus, selections of the David Amram score from the classic original film are included on this CD.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars "1962 plus the 2004 ~ Manchurian Candidate is a winner!", October 6, 2004

By	J. Lovins "Mr. Jim" (Missouri-USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 50 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

Varese Records presents two versions of "The Manchurian Candidate", both are excellent films with a great cast, directors and score that will leave you with something to think about.

The first "Manchurian Candidate" (1962/126 mins), Director John Frankenheimer featuring Frank Sinatra, Laurence Harvey, Janet Leigh, Angela Lansbury, James Gregory, John McGiver and Leslie Parrish in a cult favorite of Cold War Intelligence mixed with a political assassination attempt ~ Harvey's portrayal as a brainwashed soldier is believably effective, his stepfather James Gregory (Senator Iselin) as the not to bright politician is a scene stealer ~ Harvey's domineering Mother played by Angela Lansbury is an Academy Award performance, when she's on screen her evil schemes cut right through you ~ with composer David Amram throwing cues at you "QUEEN OF DIAMONDS", "SLIGHTLY MANCHURIAN BLUES" and "MESOPOTAMAN MAMBO...but my pick from this score is "THEME FROM THE MANCHURIAN CANDIDATE, the jazz version is a sure-fire winner with over five minutes of great JAZZ!

Second score from "Manchurian Candidate" (2004/130 mins), Director Jonathan Demme featuring Denzel Washington, Meryl Streep, Liev Schrieber, Jon Voight and Kimberly Elise with an update of a classic thriller ~ Washington's facial and shifting eyes lends an intense factor to this remake, and it works ~ the score by Rachel Portman and Wyclef Jean with cues like "FORTUNATE SON" [instrumental], "MIND DRUGS", "DEEP IMPLANT BEHAVIOR MODIFICATION", "WHAT IF ALL THIS IS A DREAM?", "THERE ARE ALWAYS CASULATIES IN WAR" loaded with psychological-political themes and biting assassination spell-binding plots keeps you on the edge of your chair...presidential election mixed with mental illiness that Portman's score covers, as she crosses every "T" and dots all of the "I'z"...don't miss picking up this soundtrack...a must have for all "film-score-buffs" and collectors alike!

Total Time: 61:08 on 17 Tracks ~ Varese Records 66603 ~ (9/14/2004)

4.0 out of 5 stars Buy This Album for Wyclef's Cover of Fortunate Son!, January 6, 2009

By	N. Thomas "Red-In-Phoenix" (Phoenix, AZ) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I bought this album for Wyclef Jean's Cover of Creedence Clearwater Revival's "Fortunate Son". Love this cover and the rest of the music by7 Rachel Portman is good an takes you on a journey through the movie.

0 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars better than the original (possible spoilers), December 6, 2005

By	Steve Kretschman "Steve" (USA) - See all my reviews

In the last decade or so, remaking classic movies has been on the incline. Though older generations criticize remaking these films, the newer generations are happy to see them with the latest theatrical technology. The remake I am going to be reviewing is called "The Manchurian Candidate". In my opinion, the remake is superior to the original. Though the acting was great in the original, I am more of a fan of Denzel Washington and Meryl Streep.
The synopsis of the movie is this: Captain Bennett Marco (Denzel Washington) and Sgt. Raymond Shaw (Liev Schreiber) were part of a platoon of soldiers kidnapped and brainwashed in Desert Storm. Ten years later, Shaw, a "war hero", runs for vice president while Marco, label paranoid by the government, eventually remembers being kidnapped and discovers that Shaw's mother (Meryl Streep) played a big part in the brainwashing. Bennett must now convince Shaw that the brainwashing really happened. Washington does a superb job as the hero; he isn't the flashy, perfect hero that we usually see in movies these days. Schreiber also does an excellent job in this movie as well. His character is the innocent victim. He is a good person but is under the control of his evil, power-hungry mother. Streep steals the show though. Her character is so manipulative and evil that is was just great to watch. The director, Jonathan Demme, does an excellent job guiding this movie along. The camera work that he utilizes really adds to the suspense of the film.
Overall, I think that any fan of suspense movies should go out to see this film. It is very creepy in the beginning and then gets better as you figure out what is going on. The actors all give an excellent performance and are lead by a great director.