The Manchurian Candidate - Then and Now

Last night I watched the 2004 version of The Manchurian Candidate. I've always enjoyed the 1962 version so I was hoping that the remake was done well. I think the '62 version is a better film, but they are both very much worth watching. Considering them side by side really provides an excellent marker of social commentary. I was expecting the 2004 version to be just and updated filming of the same story, but that's not the case. There are a few differences in the overall story line, but they have a dramatic impact on the overall story arc. The recent version amplifies many of the current terrorism fears and keys off of them. The '62 version seems a little anachronistic in 2006, but I wonder if it didn't have the similar societal, psychological link in its day.