John Frankenheimer s The Day The Earth Stood Still ( 1951 )

A Definition of a Political Hero as portrayed in The Manchurian Candidate (1950) and The Day the Earth Stood Still (1951) The two films John Frankenheimer’s The Manchurian Candidate (1950) and Dr. Robert Wise’s The Day the Earth Stood Still (1951), both display heroism through politics, which shape the plot and characters who act as heroes. In Frankenheimer’s film, one focuses on a political family during the communist conspiracy. The army is supposedly brainwashed, leading Raymond Shaw into an assassination. Major Ben Marco steps up and is a phenomenal leader for his country. He is the noticeable hero for attempting to make things better, and for stopping the corruption that could take place. Wise’s film was one of fearless acts. Klaatu meant no harm although he was shot when coming down out of the spaceship because no one had a clue what was happening. The setting was not crucial to the action of this film. The timing and scenario held a higher significance. Although heroes can be thought of as typically accomplishing a good deal and saving someone, the heroes throughout th ese two films shape a definition contrary to a typical thought. Through studying the mise-en-scà ¨ne, continuous and discontinuous movement in these films, the hero can be defined as one who takes selfless action to better the life of others. Throughout Frankenheimer’s The Manchurian Candidate we can expand our awareness of the great achievements made by Major Ben Marco. The opening scene of this film