The Chairman: Frank Sinatra

Watch The Chairman: Frank Sinatra

  • 2009
  • 51 min

The Chairman is a political thriller directed by J. Lee Thompson and released in 1969. The movie stars Frank Sinatra as John Hathaway, an American scientist who is recruited by the CIA to lead a team of experts to China in order to retrieve a formula for a brilliant Chinese agricultural innovation. The invention is widely seen as a game-changer in world agriculture and as such, it's deemed essential for the political and economical interests of the United States. The catch? China is firmly in the grip of Mao Zedong’s Cultural Revolution, making it a dangerous place for foreigners and Hathaway is forced to work undercover as a medical officer to get close to the scientists that invented the formula.

The film begins with iron-curtain relations already deteriorating and with the US cold war campaign in full swing. Senator Grant (Edward Binns) heads the Senate Committee on Appropriations and has negotiated with Zhou (M.Y. San), the Chinese representative on a trade mission to the US, on a quid pro quo deal, to exchange the agricultural formula for 1/8th of the US wheat harvest. When General Shelby (Arthur Hill) discloses the deal to the President (John McGiver), the president promptly refuses as this would involve the transfer of US agricultural technology to China, hence breaking the embargo approved by Senate. Senator Grant is not happy with this decision and thus proposes an alternative: to obtain the Chinese recipe by espionage. At first, the President is hesitant, but when he realizes that this is the only way to preempt the Soviets and the European countries from obtaining the recipe, he quickly changes his tune and approves the plan.

Hathaway must navigate the tricky waters of Maoist China as he befriends scientist Soong Li (Fang Fan), and falls in love with Mei Ling (Nobu McCarthy), the daughter of the Chairman himself. Unbeknownst to Hathaway, Mei Ling is a double agent working for the Chinese government who is using him to get close to his CIA associates. As they move through China, the risks multiply with every step as Hathaway and his team soon discover that they are being followed by suspicious Chinese agents working for Chairman Mao and soon they must face difficult decisions that will determine their fate in a hostile country.

The script by Ben Maddow is less a spy thriller and more a slow-burner, as Hathaway gradually comes to realize just how insidious the Cultural Revolution has become. The crumbling buildings, the oppressed people, and the utter madness of those wielding power all combine to give a feeling of unbearable tension throughout the movie. Although Sinatra is not particularly convincing as a scientist, he does manage to convey the confused and conflicted mind of a man who wants to serve his country but is repulsed by the idea of using morally questionable tactics to do so. Hathaway is a man who wants to do what is right but realizes that in war, especially in the cold war, sometimes the lines can be blurred.

The film is helped along substantially by Jerry Goldsmith's hauntingly beautiful score that builds upon the tension and offers a sense of urgency to the events on screen. The music is composed of a combination of Chinese instruments and an American orchestra, which enhances the cultural undertones of the movie. Also notable is cinematographer John Wilcox's stunning imagery that captures the vastness of the Chinese landscape, making the moments of tension even more harrowing because they are so far away from the safe zone that the viewer is used to.

The Chairman is an interesting choice for Sinatra, who was not known for his political views at the time. Yet, it's clear that he wanted to use his star power to make a statement about the state of the world in the late 60s. Through Hathaway's struggles, the movie explores the dangers of patriotism, misguided nationalism, and the unfortunate reality that sometimes there is no easy answer when it comes to international relations. If anything, the Chairman is a reminder that sometimes, the path of righteousness leads to darkness rather than enlightenment.

Overall, The Chairman is a thought-provoking movie which, despite the star power (thanks to Sinatra) and gripping storyline, falls short of meeting viewer's expectations, especially if they are expecting a James Bond-like spy thriller. However, if you are a fan of political dramas and historical fiction, this film is a welcome addition to your watchlist. The film’s final act is particularly engaging, offering a satisfying culmination to the twists and turns of the plot, and it’s a testament to the filmmakers' and Sinatra's ability to deliver a gripping storyline.

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Description
  • Release Date
    2009
  • Runtime
    51 min
  • Language
    English