The Candidate (1972)

Director:

Michael Ritchie

Writer:

Jeremy Larner (writer)

Release Date:

18 October 1972 (Sweden)

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:

Rise To Power | Cynical | Idealist | Corruption | Campaign

Awards:

Won Oscar. Another 1 win & 1 nomination

Cast

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

Also Known As:

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

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) | Finland:S | Spain:13 | Sweden:Btl | USA:PG | Australia:PG

Filming Locations:

Angel Island, California, USA

Company:

Redford-Ritchie Productions

Trivia:

A prop campaign button from this film is on display at the Smithsonian's Museum of American History in Washington. It is on display with several authentic campaign buttons.

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)

The Shaping of a Political Candidate

"The Candidate" is very insightful, very conscientious, and very accurate in exploring the trials, tribulations, and developments in transforming a nihilistic underdog into a popular, contending candidate for the California Senate. It is a good, provocative, and even satiric look at the ups and downs of the political landscape, as well as its many constraints, with political advisers not interested in the candidate's candidness, but rather sealing an election, and this is very fascinatingly and simply laid out in a film that goes "the full monty" in exploring the American political landscape- this is generally a behind-the-scenes development of the political process- from the frequent campaign rallies, to the luncheons and parades, to the advantage of incumbency, to dirty campaign tricks, to critical debates, and finally, to the anxiety, tension, and exasperation of the election. Robert Redford is the character study, playing an aspiring, yet hardly hopeful, son of a former California governor, dashing and articulate candidate for California Senate, Bill McKay, for the Democratic party. His challenger is incumbent Senator Crocker Jarmon, who seems to be the antithesis of all of the charisma, articulation, and humbleness that is McKay, a rather arrogant, prudent, and unappealing candidate, regardless of whether you share his beliefs. I have to wonder- is the film taking jabs at the Republican party- claiming it is apathetic, self-serving, and shadowy, while in contrast the Democratic party cares passionately about the people, contains darling appeal, and considers a "better way" for the people rather than simply winning an election. Perhaps I am finding ways to detract from some clear and distinguished differences between McKay and Jarmon, because of their parties in the film, and perhaps this is because I believe BOTH parties stand for the people, regardless of my political allegiances- whatever; just a curious observation. Robert Redford plays McKay very well and earnestly- really bringing this vivacious and whimsical character to life and shining on the "campaign trail". The screenplay is absolutely brilliant- taking every idea about politics and ingeniously infusing it throughout the many events of the film: a very constructive and admirable endeavor indeed. The music is very patriotic, sentimental, and portentous, really defining the American political spirit, and really pounding on a theme of greatness through victory. This is an extremely well crafted, well scripted, well acted, well directed, and well received, albeit very predictable and incisive, film, exploring the political landscape as verily as I have ever seen a film endeavor in. It's simple, entertaining, and contains some solid education about the shaping of a political candidate, through a hostile, volatile, and demanding political campaign- "The Candidate" is a real winner. ***1/2 out of ****