3. Manchurian Candidate
The Sad: The 1962 film The Manchurian Candidate at times perhaps errs on the side of fear-mongering in its depictions of possible Communist conspiracy in America during the midst of the Cold War. It tells the story of soldier Raymond Shaw, the step-son of a Senator, who returns from the Korean War as a hero. However, Ray and his army buddies have been brain-washed by the Communists and he now serves as their robotic assassin. Major Ben Marco, played by Frank Sinatra, figures out the ruse a little late, after Ray has already killed two of his army members and later kills his wife and father-in-law, a political opponent of Ray's detestable step-father. Marco attempts to re-hypnotize his friend, but is uncertain of its efficacy. The film concludes with Ray assassinating his traitorous mother and step-father, protecting his country from further manipulation by the Communists. After all he's endured, Ray turns his gun on himself and commits suicide.
The Silver Lining: The brain-washing Communists were stopped. In America in the early 1960's, there could be no greater victory.