From director Jonathan Demme (The Silence of the Lambs) comes this bone-chilling adaptation of the classic 1959 novel and 1962 film of the same name. Years after his squad was ambushed during the Gulf War, Major Ben Marco (Denzel Washington, Man on Fire) finds himself haunted by terrible nightmares. He begins to doubt that his fellow squad-mate Sergeant Raymond Shaw (Liev Schreiber, Spotlight), now a vice-presidential candidate, is the hero he remembers him being. As Marco’s fears deepen, Shaw’s political power grows, and, when Marco finds a mysterious implant embedded in his back, the bizarre memory of what really happened begins to return. An all-star cast featuring Jeffrey Wright (The Batman), Jon Voight (Runaway Train), Anthony Mackie (The Hurt Locker) and screen legend Meryl Streep (Silkwood)—mesmerizing in the role originated by Angela Lansbury— highlights this edge-of-your-seat mindbender of a movie.

For thoughts on The Manchurian Candidate (2004), please check out our discussion on The Video Attic:

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Video Quality

The Manchurian Candidate (2004) debuts on 4K UHD Blu-Ray courtesy of Kino Classics with an impressive 2160p/Dolby Vision transfer that is derived from a 4K scan of the 35mm Original Camera Negative. This release does come with a Blu-Ray disc which has also been created from the same 4K master, which itself seems to be an improvement over the Blu-Ray put out by Paramount in 2007. Even those who are not 4K UHD capable may want to make an upgrade to have the new Blu-Ray disc, and then you will be ready with the 4K UHD disc if you upgrade. For those of us already capable, the improvements with the 4K UHD Blu-Ray are numerous when compared to the lovely accompanying Blu-Ray. This is a visually stylish and complex film, and we are glad to have a transfer that can handle it.

The Dolby Vision offers up very distinct, deep colors throughout with color grade manipulation to suit the narrative needs. The contrast and overall clarity is first-rate, especially in special details within the nimble production design and the costumes. Black levels are much improved with depth and detail in the darkest corners of the screen. Highlights are notably firm as they avoid instances of blooming. With the 4K UHD release, the transfer is virtually flawless with nothing in the way of softness or fluctuation. The natural film grain thankfully remains at the forefront while always resolving naturally free of clumping and swarming. From the earliest moments, you are enraptured by a world of texture and detail within the transfer which brings out new dimensions to the frame. Kino Classics has delivered this thriller with an ideal presentation.

Audio Quality

The 4K UHD Blu-Ray presents the movie with a DTS-HD 5.1 and 2.0 Master Audio lossless track that brings every aspect to life with great ease. The previous Blu-Ray release from Paramount only contained lossy audio, so it is nice to finally have the film with its intended quality soundscape. It proves to be a powerhouse while navigating this twisty story replete with unique sonic details. The surround channels provide some worthwhile texture to the space as each scene reveals special facets that make the world feel immersive. The directionality is deliberate from beginning to end. The low end packs a punch when the scene calls for it with some rich texture. The Rachel Portman score and the soundtrack establish the appropriate mood which radiates out with pleasing fidelity. Dialogue comes through clearly as it plays favorably with competing elements. The track capably executes the layers of sound so nothing turns into a swirl of noise. This audio presentation is a win for fans. There are optional English SDH subtitles provided.

Special Features

Audio Commentary: Director Jonathan Demme and Co-Screenwriter Daniel Pyne deliver a very informative archival commentary track in which they recall various aspects of the production including the development of different scenes, why they were drawn to the material, the shooting locations, the visual aesthetic of the film, the casting and collaborative process, the creation of certain pieces of music, and much more that gives rich technical details that film fans should appreciate.

The Enemy Within- Inside The Manchurian Candidate: A 14-minute vintage featurette in which the cast and creative team discuss the motivations for making an updated version of this story, nailing down the “global threat” of the narrative, the look of the film, the themes that are explored, and more.

The Cast of The Manchurian Candidate: A 12-minute look at the talented ensemble assembled for this film and what they bring to their characters.

Liev Schreiber Screen Test: A three-minute look at a staged performance between Schreiber and Meryl Streep.

Political Pundits: A ten-minute look at various notable figures discussing the “upcoming” election with an option to watch with commentary from Jonathan Demme.

Deleted/Extended Scenes: There are numerous unused scenes totaling nearly ten minutes provided with optional audio commentary from Demme and Pyne.

Outtakes: A three-minute collection of unused interview material is provided with optional audio commentary from Demme and Pyne.

Trailers: There is a two-and-a-half-minute trailer provided for The Manchurian Candidate (2004). There are also trailers provided for The Manchurian Candidate (1962), 3 Days of the Condor, Marathon Man, The Eiger Sanction, The Interpreter, Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, Cry Freedom, Mo’ Better Blues, and The Silence of the Lambs.

Final Thoughts

The Manchurian Candidate (2004) is always held in comparison to the masterful 1962 version, but judging anything against that film is not a fair fight. Jonathan Demme brings a decent amount of style and energy to this remake, even if it does not end up hitting the mark. With all of its updates, this new iteration simply does not register as relevant to the current era as much as the original film. Where the film shines is in the performances, and the ensemble from the marquee names to the future stars in smaller roles all bring their A-game. By embarking upon this film, you know you are going to witness an inferior telling of the story, but those who judge the film without comparison should find plenty of elements to appreciate. It is an engaging political thriller that stumbles along the way without completely falling down. Kino Classics has given this one a 4K UHD Blu-Ray upgrade with a fantastic A/V presentation and some nice legacy special features. If you love the performers, it is worth a shot. Recommended

The Manchurian Candidate (2004) is currently available to purchase on 4K UHD Blu-Ray.

Note: Images presented in this review are not reflective of the image quality of the 4K UHD Blu-Ray.

Disclaimer: Kino Classics has supplied a copy of this disc free of charge for review purposes. All opinions in this review are the honest reactions of the author.