Changes

== Themes and Receptions ==

== Themes and Receptions ==

The 1950s was a time of intense interest in accounts of mind control, and the term "brainwashing" was coined in 1950. At a time of high Cold War tension, the book ''I Was Stalin's Prisoner'' (1952), a first-person account of US executive Robert A. Vogeler's experiences with mind control as a political prisoner in Hungary, produced derivative fiction. ''Brain-Washing in Red China'' (1951) and other writings by Edward Hunter proclaimed the danger and potentially devastating possibilities of brainwashing.  Inaccurate reports to the effectthat numerous American POW's had defected to the Chinese in Korea caused alarm; in fact there were only a few.  Richard Condon's novel ''The Manchurian Candidate'' (1959) tapped into public fascination and concern over mind-control techniques. Condon's novel is the basis of the film.  Novels by William Burroughs, A. E. van Vogt, and Francis Pollini all incorporate brainwashing themes. By the time of Walter Wager's ''Telefon'' (1975), the subject of brainwashing techniques had become passé.<ref>David Seed, "Brainwashing And Cold War Demonology." ''Prospects'' 1997 22: 535-573.  </ref>  

The 1950s was a time of intense interest in accounts of mind control, and the term "brainwashing" was coined in 1950. At a time of high Cold War tension, the book ''I Was Stalin's Prisoner'' (1952), a first-person account of US executive Robert A. Vogeler's experiences with mind control as a political prisoner in Hungary, produced derivative fiction. ''Brain-Washing in Red China'' (1951) and other writings by Edward Hunter proclaimed the danger and potentially devastating possibilities of brainwashing.  Inaccurate reports to the effect that numerous American POW's had defected to the Chinese in Korea caused alarm; in fact there were only a few.  Richard Condon's novel ''The Manchurian Candidate'' (1959) tapped into public fascination and concern over mind-control techniques. Condon's novel is the basis of the film.  Novels by William Burroughs, A. E. van Vogt, and Francis Pollini all incorporate brainwashing themes. By the time of Walter Wager's ''Telefon'' (1975), the subject of brainwashing techniques had become passé.<ref>David Seed, "Brainwashing And Cold War Demonology." ''Prospects'' 1997 22: 535-573.  </ref>  

Scholars have concluded there was no such brainwashing but it was a real fear at the time. The film picks up and elaborates on this fear.  The film was based on the 1959 novel by John Condon.  The 1954 film "Prisoner of War" also is based on brainwashing POW's in Korea.  

Scholars have concluded there was no such brainwashing but it was a real fear at the time. The film picks up and elaborates on this fear.  The film was based on the 1959 novel by John Condon.  The 1954 film "Prisoner of War" also is based on brainwashing POW's in Korea.