Question 1
The main theme in Manchurian candidate (1976) is the scion of the political dynasty in America (Laurence Harvey) as it is easily evidenced by the war in Korea. In contrast, the thematic display of Manchurian candidate (2004) is the political uncertainty in the current century. As such, political and corporate power has significant influence in the politics of the country, which contributes towards the attainment of the political instability. In both films, there is clear evidencing of the political relevance in the country, which is a significant factor of consideration in determination of the development in the nations.
Further, both films focus on mind changing games where Manchurian candidate (1976) is based on brainwashing while the Manchurian candidate (2004) has the basis of brain surgery. These are the strategies that are used in the film to depict the development of the assassination nature of the characters. The assassinators in both films enjoy the matriarch role of the ladies. Hence, mentor assassination, as well as that of the daughter occurs in both films. These are the key issues that ensure Harvey in Manchurian candidate (1976) and Denzel in Manchurian candidate (2004) do not become reluctant in executing their gender roles in the movie. However, while the focus of the Manchurian candidate (1976) was the Korean War, the Manchurian candidate (2004) focus was on the Gulf War. Nevertheless, these two films share a common plot, which have a relevant conspiracy.
Question 2
Character, narrative, genre, structure and elements are the characteristics that one can easily see in the Manchurian candidate (1976) film. As such, Laurence Harvey character is utilized to depict the scion of American political dynasty. At start, Harvey is brainwashed and eventually released with a sole purpose of assassinating his president, but he is not aware of the situation. Angela plays a reptilian glee with the stepmother of Harvey.
The structure of both films is the same. Such is because it begins with the development of the assassinators and then focuses on their social life. These assassinators enjoy a good social life, but because they are brainwashed (1976) and have a brain surgery (2004) they are not able to control their life situations. However, 1976 structure and character portrayal seems to be stronger than the 2004 film. Such is because the rework of 2004 lacks authenticity, which is a vital element in the industry of film making.
In both films, the narrative focuses on political systems and how they are influenced by external factors and scientific discoveries. 1976 indicates the psychological discovery of brainwashing while the 2004 indicates the scientific medical discovery of brain surgery. These are the significant issues that affect political activities of countries in different regions on earth. Nevertheless, both films have a clear illustration of the elemental factors that contribute towards political uncertainty in the governing system of a government.
Nevertheless, the narrative comes to a situation of sanity, which leads to the development of disbelief on what is right and wrong. Juxtaposing is a style, which the authors of these films used in the process of creating a narrative that aids viewers in understanding the communication strategy of the message that is being conveyed. The use of distorted shapes and images, as well as exaggerated lines depicts a world that is mad. Hence, it becomes confusing and unnerving to all viewers in different perspectives in their life.
Question 3
The themes in both Manchurian candidate (1976) and Manchurian candidate (2004) are tacitly political. Such is because these themes focus on political oppression of two nations that are in war with each other. Manchurian candidate (1976) depicts how politics is used as a strategy to brainwash Harvey who is released to go and assassinate his president. The communist is the activator of the event while Angela keeps a closer touch with the stepmother to ensure that there is nothing that goes wrong. This film, Manchurian candidate (1976) points to the political issue of two states in the war. Hence, the film depicts that political solutions are the best to address the prevailing problem. Such would have been through signing of a treaty that involves the two countries, which advocates for the end of the war. Consequently, power relationship, such as gender contributes in the establishment of the bond among the characters. It is these power relationships that aids in discovering the traits of all the actors in the films.
Power relations of the gender give value for the family matters. As such, the assassins are able to obtain motherly love from their mothers. Such aids in strengthening these individuals in achieving success on their goal of executing their decisions. It is the gender traits of the actors and actress, which grants them their unique roles. Thus, gender plays a significant role in determining what traits individual have in the films.
Question 4
The ideological messages of the films are that political systems in government are complex to understand. While the 1976 film focuses on the Korea war, the 2004 film focuses on the Gulf war. It is in these film messages that countries train their soldiers, but such training is not adequate because the enemy can change the soldiers of the country to fight on his behalf. This occurs through the scientific discoveries of the means of changing the minds of individuals for the purposes of enjoying personal gains in the competitive interests.
Further, these films have indicated that the ideological war between communism and democracy is contemptible and ridiculous. However, the films convey the message of comical politics that exists since the 1970s. These are the confused politics, which a person cannot be in a position to claim it as rightist or leftist. Nevertheless, the politics fit in the post-Camelot era ambiguous politics. It is in these films where viewers come across an ambiguous political universe.
The political messages in these two films are timeless. As such, they sensationalize mind-control strategies, as well as tragic status politics in the United States of America. Thus, the Americans have to focus on protecting their presidents because the assassinators can be trained anytime and released anytime to complete their mission. Such occurs as the government agencies struggle to establish any sources of security breach, which may lead to the emergence of political instability. However, these agencies lack the capacity to establish such security breaches because they are based on modern level of technology that include brain surgery and brainwashing in different forms and states. Human experimentation is also common in the film where human beings have the ability of controlling other human beings in order to execute their missions successfully.
