Why The Difference Between 'The Manchurian Candidate' Films?

Why Is There A Difference Between 'The Manchurian Candidate' Films?

The Changes:

The Villains:

1962 Version: The enemies are Communists in Manchuria! This is because, this film was made during a time when the people of America thought communism to be a major threat to their society. Also, this film was made around the time of the Cold War, in which America were fighting against Communist countries and factions.

2004 Version: The enemies were a massive multinational conglomerate, an evil corporation! The change was made to make the villains a giant corporation because the threat of 'Communism' is no longer such a big thing in America anymore, however, the idea of a conspiracy regarding big corporations trying to take control of the White House, or even the world, are a common belief among people of the world, not only in America.

The Brainwashing:

1962 Version: The brainwashing is controlled by an Asian man Dr Yen Low, whilst the captive american soldiers appear to be hypnotised into believing they are surrounded by old women at a Garden Club meeting, however, these 'old women' were in fact Communist enemies being instructed on how the brainwashing works, and how to make the brainwashed soldiers do tasks!

2004 Version: The brain washing is controlled by Dr Atticus Noyle, a South-African scientist who specialised in neuroscience. the brainwashing techniques are more modern and realistic. We cans see the soldiers being hooked up to machines with bandaged heads, implying they have had some sort of brain altering surgery or procedure. Also, we can see Shaw has a chip implanted into his head.

The Candidate:

1962 Version: The candidate running for vice-presidency is Shaw's step father, Senator Iselin, and Shaw is the agent responsible for making sure he gets elected!

2004 Version: The candidate running for vice-presidency is Shaw himself, Iselin has a much smaller role in this film. The reason for making Shaw the candidate is havign a brainwashed sleeper agent inside the White House itself is more frightening and devious than having a sleeper agent outside of the whole political process.

The End:

1962 Version: Shaw overcomes is brainwashing orders and shoots both his mother and Senator Iselin, before putting on his Medal of Honour badge, showing that he believes he has finally earned the right to wear it, and then kills himself.

2004 Version: Marco instead has the rifle. Shaw knows that Marco has probably overcome the brainwashing since he missed the mark to kill the opposition. Shaw looks at where he knows Marco is, starting to tear up, but smiling, knowing that he is probably going to be killed. Them Marco shoots both Shaw and his mother in one shot. The federal agents run up to the room and find him, he goes to shoot himself, but the agent shoots him in his shoulder, stopping him. We then see him, with his arm in a cast, with federal agents, revisiting where he had been brain washed. Marco was changed to also be brainwashed in this film because it made the character more involved, and the audience could sympathise with, also, he had previously been seen as a paranoid character by the government.