The Candidate (1972)

User Rating:

7.1/10   

Director:

Michael Ritchie

Writer:

Jeremy Larner (writer)

Release Date:

23 August 1972 (France)

Genre:

Drama

Tagline:

Too Handsome. Too Young. Too Liberal. Doesn't have a chance. He's PERFECT!

Plot:

Bill McKay is a candidate for the U.S. Senate from California. He has no hope of winning, so he is willing to tweak the establishment.

Plot Keywords:

Candidate | California | Cynicism | Wheelchair | Politician

Awards:

Won Oscar. Another 1 win & 1 nomination

Cast

Robert Redford	...	Bill McKay
Peter Boyle	...	Marvin Lucas
Melvyn Douglas	...	John J. McKay
Don Porter	...	Senator Crocker Jarmon
Allen Garfield	...	Klein
Karen Carlson	...	Nancy McKay
Quinn K. Redeker	...	Rick Jenkin (as Quinn Redeker)
Morgan Upton	...	Wally Henderson
Michael Lerner	...	Paul Corliss
Kenneth Tobey	...	Floyd J. Starkey
Chris Prey	...	David
Joe Miksak	...	Neil Atkinson
Jenny Sullivan	...	Lynn
Tom Dahlgren	...	Pilot
Gerald Hiken	...	Station Manager

Also Known As:

El candidato (Spain) (Venezuela) [es]
O Candidato (Brazil) (Portugal) [pt]
A jelölt (Hungary) [hu]
Bill McKay - Der Kandidat (West Germany) [de]
Bill McKay - utmanaren (Sweden) [sv]
Il candidato (Italy) [it]
Kandydat (Poland) [pl]
Maktspel (Finland: Swedish title) [sv]
O ypopsifios (Greece) [el]
Valtapeli (Finland) [fi]
Votez Mc Kay (France) [fr]
Votez McKay (Canada: French title) [fr]

Runtime:

110 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Brazil:14 | Canada:PG (Ontario) | UK:A (1972) | UK:PG (1988) | West Germany:12 | Finland:K-3 (new rating: 2001) | Spain:T (video rating) | Finland:S | Spain:13 | Sweden:Btl | USA:PG | Australia:PG

Filming Locations:

Angel Island, California, USA

Company:

Redford-Ritchie Productions

Trivia:

Scriptwriter Jeremy Larner used to write political speeches for 1968 Presidential candidate, Eugene McCarthy.

Goofs:

Continuity: The red convertible driven by Marvin Lucas (Peter Boyle) has three different license plates during the opening credits: "677 EIY", "185 ENV", and "772 DYD". All are from the 1972 era in California.

Quotes:

Bill McKay: [with his team after giving one speech too many] Can't any longer play off black against old - young against poor. This country cannot house its houseless - feed its foodless.
[and he begins making gaga noises]

Movie Connections:

Featured in "HBO First Look: 'The Contender': The Making of a Political Thriller (#7.17)" (2000)

Like they say, it's all about politics.

Robert Redford plays idealistic senate candidate Bill McKay. He's mainly running to bring certain political issues into the open, although he never actually plans to win. But as time goes by, he realizes that whether or not he wins, he might not be able to hold on to his values.

"The Candidate" is one of the many great movies about the world of politics. It holds up as well today as it did in 1972 (maybe even better). Redford gives a solid performance, as does Peter Boyle as campaign manager Marvin Lucas. One of the most insightful scenes is the debate between McKay and his opponent about the issues. A great movie in every way. Look for appearances by Natalie Wood, Groucho Marx, and Howard K. Smith.