Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1978)

Director:

Philip Kaufman

Writers:

Jack Finney (novel)
W.D. Richter (screenplay)

Release Date:

20 December 1978 (USA)

Genre:

Horror | Thriller | Sci-Fi | Mystery

Tagline:

Get some sleep

Plot:

In San Francisco, a group of people discover the human race is being replaced one by one, with clones devoid of emotion.

Plot Keywords:

Nose Bleed | Body | Murder | Joke | Scream

Awards:

3 wins & 8 nominations

Cast

Donald Sutherland	...	Matthew Bennell
Brooke Adams	...	Elizabeth Driscoll
Jeff Goldblum	...	Jack Bellicec
Veronica Cartwright	...	Nancy Bellicec
Leonard Nimoy	...	Dr. David Kibner
Art Hindle	...	Dr. Geoffrey Howell, DDS
Lelia Goldoni	...	Katherine Hendley
Kevin McCarthy	...	Running Man
Don Siegel	...	Taxi Driver
Tom Luddy	...	Ted Hendley
Stan Ritchie	...	Stan
David Fisher	...	Mr. Gianni
Tom Dahlgren	...	Detective
Garry Goodrow	...	Dr. Boccardo
Jerry Walter	...	Restaurant Owner

Runtime:

115 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Certification:

Netherlands:16 (orginal rating) | Finland:K-18 (1979) (uncut) | Canada:14+ (Ontario) | Canada:13+ (Quebec) | Iceland:12 | Finland:K-16 (1987) (cut) (video) | West Germany:16 | Finland:K-16 (2000) (uncut) (DVD) | Australia:M | Norway:15 | Sweden:15 | UK:15 | USA:PG | Singapore:NC-16

Filming Locations:

1227 Montgomery Street, Telegraph Hill, San Francisco, California, USA

Company:

Solofilm

Trivia:

According to the commentary on the DVD, director Philip Kaufman said they paid 'Robert Duvall (I)' by giving him an Eddie Bauer jacket.

Goofs:

Audio/visual unsynchronized: Early in the film when Geoffrey and Elizabeth are talking and we only see their reflections. Geoffrey's mouth isn't moving

Quotes:

Matthew Bennell: [Elizabeth and Matthew are captured by snathcers in the Health Department office. Kibner gives them sedatives, so that they can be snatched while asleep] There are people who will fight you.
Elizabeth Driscoll: They'll stop you.
Dr. David Kibner: In an hour... you won't want them to.

Movie Connections:

References Locataire, Le (1976)

Soundtrack:

Amazing Grace

More logical and exacting than the original

While some contend the original was a better version, I still prefer this one. Donald Sutherland, Jeff Goldblum and Leonard Nimoy was excellent, providing more logic and insight to the film where the original failed to accomplish. Sure, it was tougher to make a secret invasion of a large city seem more believable, but the more believable and rational appeal of this film puts it heads and tales above the rest. Also, the fact that it is a little more drawn out and conceptualized, it makes for a better night of movie making than the original.