Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1956) User Reviews

Classic chiller

[BroadswordCallinDannyBoy · 9/10 · 27 March 2007]

A doctor comes to a hospital on a late night call to hear a man whom everybody else deems insane. The doctor persuades the man to be patient and tell his story. The man then tells the doctor about how a small California town has been invaded by some sort of alien seeds that grow into human clones...

Coming straight from the McCarthy era and general Cold War paranoia this is one scary movie. There is not a gun fired, not a drop of gore shed but the final effect of the film will stay with you for a good while. More contemporary film viewers might recognize the concept from John Carpenter's "The Thing" which itself was an update of the 1951 film. However, the themes of paranoia and tension are just as nail-biting and intense here.

There is a lack of visual punch that so many people are used to today, but just think of the historical context and the implications, basically use your mind! Then you'll see why the film scared studio executives so much that they forced Don Siegel to add an intro and outro to help soften the overall effect. It wasn't the best play in the book, but the film remains a great classic chiller. --- 9/10

Not Rated. It would most likely receive a PG from the MPAA, there are several tense moments, though no violence.

Stunning and frightening adaptation which emerged as a cinema classic compellingly directed by Donald Siegel

[ma-cortes · 8/10 · 5 March 2013]

Splendid Sci-Fi picture which achieved tremendous and unexpected success on its appearance . Science Fiction and fantasy is presented in its most horrifying form . A genuinely frightening , chilling exercise in nightmare dislocation in which hideous creatures from outer space arrive on Earth with plans of conquest by means of pods and being based upon a novel by Jack Finney . There are not monsters only the residents of a town , as their wills , minds and bodies taken over by a weird form of life from outer space . This is the first adaptation , still very scary and creepy about a vintage novel deals with a little town residents who are being replaced by duplicates hatched from weird pods . It creates an altering the human behaviour in the new invaders . Meanwhile , a doctor (top-notch Kevin McCarthy as an angst-ridden medic) must protect his girlfriend (significant role for gorgeous Dana Wynter) and soon aware that pods from outer space are duplicating and menacing everyone there . The doctor may hold the means to avoid the extraterrestrial invasion as he discovers their friends are being taking over by cold human-duplicates , as one by one are turned into aliens . The mysterious epidemic from outer space is spread her friends and known people (Larry Gates , King Donovan , Carolyn Jones , Sam Peckinpah) and small California town people , everybody are being taken over by emotionless , cold behaving beings . The mysterious seeds from outer space are growing and destroying a little town at an alarming attack.

This scary Sci-Fi displays a tense screenplay based on Jack Finney novel titled ¨Body snatchers¨ that can be considered truly disturbing . Packs eerie suspense , chills , thrills , spectacular scenes , chilly events and pretty turns and twists . A ceaselessly inventive , ghastly rendition of the alien take-over paradigm , including a a nice built-in paranoia so well tuned for the times that some saw it a parable Communist Witch Hunts. The one and only post-McCarthy paranoid fantasy epic , where a small California town is infiltrated by pods from outer space that replace and replicate human beings . It profits from a winning and intense acting by Kevin McCarthy along with an enjoyable Dana Wynter ; furthermore , a perfect direction by maestro Donald Siegel who proved himself master of the eerie clutch at the base of one's spine . Appropriately exciting and frightening musical score by Carmen Dragon . Very good cinematography and evocatively eerie ambient , including appropriate production design . The motion picture was professionally directed by Donald Siegel . Director Siegel brought an entirely new approach to the Sci-Fi field . He filmed an excellent story and it has emerged as a cinema classic that brings astonishing nightmares . Lovers of the thriller/chiller should no miss this remarkable Sci-Fi , everybody will have fun being scared by this expertly crafted film .

Other versions about this known story are the following : 1978 new version , being one of few instances where a remake is an improvement on the original , directed by Philip Kauffman with Donald Sutherland , Brooke Adams and features cameos by Don Siegel and Kevin McCarthy from the original , realized with great originality in spite of being a remake concerning again about mysterious seeds duplicating people . And yet another inferior rendition in which the horror is diminished , being shot by Abel Ferrara(1994) that takes place in a military base in which turns out to be invested with pod people , starred by Forest Whitaker , Meg Tilly, Terry Kinney and Gabriella Anwar , it is regular version as is slow-paced with few jolts of horror . Lately recent version that results to be the least satisfactory titled ¨Invasion¨ with Daniel Craig, Nicole Kidman , Jeffrey Wright and directed by Oliver Hirschbiegel , this so-so take on , it takes advantage of the advances in FX , sound technology and some interesting visual effects . Rating : Better than average . Worthwhile watching .

Excellent genre film with intellectual subtexts

[BrandtSponseller · 9/10 · 1 February 2005]

Dr. Miles J. Bennell (Kevin McCarthy) is called back to his small California home early from a conference because a number of his patients have been frantically asking to see him. But oddly, when he returns home, most forget about their unspecified needs. At the same time, it seems that a mass hysteria is building where residents believe that friends and loved ones are "not themselves", literally. Just what is going on? As of this writing, it has been more than twenty years since I have seen the 1978 remake of this film, so I can't compare the two at the moment. However, it would have to be flawless to top this, the original Invasion of the Body Snatchers.

The sole factor that caused me to give the film less than a ten was the pacing during portions of the first half hour or so. While it's not bad, exactly, director Don Siegel does not build atmosphere and tension as effectively as he might have while the viewer is being filled in on the necessary exposition. Admittedly, this section is directed in a standard way for its era, but "standard" here is enough to subtract a point.

However, once we reach Miles' friend Jack Belicec (King Donovan) discovering a body on his billiard table, the suspense and tension gradually increase, and the remainder of the film is a very solid ten.

The literal "weapon" of the film's horror could have easily come across as cheesy, but it doesn't. Don Post and Milt Rice's special make-up effects and props are threateningly eerie. The transformation sequences involving the props are beautifully shot and edited--showing just enough to make them effective, but not so much that the mystery is gone.

It was ingenious to create a story where a whole town gradually turns into a villain, and even natural, unavoidable biological functions threaten our heroes' destruction. In conjunction, it all creates an intense sense of claustrophobia and paranoia for the audience.

McCarthy and Dana Wynter, as Miles' girlfriend Becky Driscoll, expertly convey a gradual transformation from common citizens to panic-stricken, desperate victims on the run. The film is also notable for slightly ahead-of-its time portrayals of relationships and divorce.

Much has been said about the parallels between Invasion of the Body Snatchers and the "communist paranoia" in the United States in the late 1940s and early 1950s, especially as it was directed against Hollywood by the House of Un-American Activities Committee. (And how ironic that the star of Invasion of the Body Snatchers is named McCarthy?) However, there is another very interesting subtext present that isn't so often mentioned. The film can also be looked at as a philosophical exploration of personal identity. Just what does it take for people to be themselves? Is it how they look, act, the things they say? Is it not the case that people are constantly transformed into something they weren't just hours ago, or even moments ago? Among the many ways that these kinds of ideas are worked into the script is that sleep is a metaphor for unconscious physical change over time. It would be easy to analyze each scene in the film in this manner, going into detail about the various implications each plot development has on the matter of personal identity.

Despite the slight pacing/atmosphere flaw in the beginning, this is a gem of a film, not just for sci-fi and horror fans, and not just for its era. It's worth seeing by anyone with a serious interest in film, and can be enjoyed either on its suspenseful surface level, or more in-depth by those who want to look at the film as more metaphorical material for societal and philosophical concerns.

'Invasion Of The Body Snatchers' is THE 1950s paranoid SF/Horror classic!

[Infofreak · 21 April 2003]

'Invasion Of The Body Snatcher's is my favourite 1950s science fiction movie alongside 'Forbidden Planet'. Both are very different movies. 'Forbidden Planet' is arguably the first SF blockbuster, an intergalactic adventure, in colour, with a large budget and impressive special effects. 'Invasion Of The Body Snatcher's is a smaller movie, a low budget black and white paranoid thriller that is a classic of its type. Many subsequent movies have been influenced by this one, and there have been at least two remakes (Philip Kaufman, Abel Ferrara), but it still takes some beating! Director Don Siegel is best known for tough guy crime dramas like 'The Killers' and 'Dirty Harry', but shows his versatility with this extremely effective and disturbing horror story. The legendary Sam Peckinpah had an uncredited hand in the script, and (keep an eye open for) a small cameo as a meter reader. Kevin McCarthy is terrific as the small town doctor turned hero. His performance is excellent, and made him a legend to SF and horror fans everywhere (he reprises it briefly in Kaufman's excellent 1970s remake by the way). The lovely Dana Wynter leads a strong supporting cast, and buffs will get a particular kick out of seeing Carolyn Jones (a.k.a. Morticia Addams) and Whit Bissell. ('I Was A Teenage Werewolf', 'Creature From The Black Lagoon' and too many others to mention!) This movie has aged very well, much better than say, 'The Thing From Another World', and still stands as THE 1950s paranoid SF/horror movie. An absolute classic that I guarantee still packs a punch! Highly recommended!

The simplicity of the horror is what "makes" this film so brilliant...

[Doylenf · 7/10 · 8 February 2007]

What must be considered one of the most original of all the science fiction films emanating from the '50s is INVASION OF THE BODY SNATCHERS, a low-budget sci-fi film about a sleepy Southern California town infested with a bunch of pods that are replicating the town's humans in physical form hatched from alien pods and taking over mind and body.

It doesn't waste any time in getting to the core of the horror element, with McCarthy as a doctor invited to a friend's house where he sees the first evidence of a sleeping pod form taking on the shape and identity of another. He and his sweetheart (the beautiful DANA WYNTER) are soon aware of the situation enveloping the small town residents and make an effort to alert the authorities, but find that no one can be trusted to be whom they claim to be--and are soon on the run themselves.

It easily remains one of the most gripping of these films with an excellent score by Carmen Dragon. KEVIN McCARTHY, DANA WYNTER, VIRGINIA CHRISTINE, WHIT BISSELL, KING DONOVAN and CAROLYN JONES all deliver fine performances and director Don Siegel keeps the suspense taut until the final scene.

Summing up: Alien invaders have always been a big part of sci-fi stories but never quite as creepily as depicted here. Terrific suspense.

They're here already! You're next! You're next, You're next...

[lastliberal · 9/10 · 25 May 2007]

Body Snatchers is a true anomaly in the cinematic world. It has been remade twice, and all three films are essentially adaptations of a novel by Jack Finney. And despite the often terrible nature of remakes, both the 1978 AND 1993 versions are considered to be just as good as this one. I am looking back at these films in light of the 4th Body Snatchers that is coming out this summer with Nicole Kidman (The Hours) and Daniel Craig (Casino Royale).

Invasion of the body snatchers is generally considered a political film as well as sci fi. It is a reflection of the McCarthy area (recently shown in Good Night, and Good Luck), and cold-war hysteria.

Kevin McCarthy (Death of a Salesman) and Dana Wynter were great and there was good chemistry between them.

The film did not need special effects or gore. It built up it's terror with slow suspense, a sense of impending doom, and an atmosphere that was enhanced by the superb musical score.

This is definitive sci fi and one of the best movies of the 50's.

Don't fall asleep, even for a moment.

[lewiskendell · 7/10 · 9 December 2010]

"Why don't you go in, Miles, we've been waiting for you."

Invasion of the Body Snatchers started off as somewhat of a slow burn, but ended up being a sinister and suspenseful thriller. The story has been redone and revised several times in the years since the original novel this movie is based on was written: an unknown alien plant species has landed on earth, and replaces people as they sleep with perfect copies. Perfect, except for their complete loss of what makes them human, their emotions and souls. 

The main characters are a doctor and his lady friend (played by Kevin McCarthy and Dana Wynter) who slowly come to understand the nature of the threat, and spend the latter part of the movie trying to stay awake and find some way, any way, out of their seemingly inevitable fate and come up with some means to keep the invasion from spreading from their California town to the world beyond.

Body Snatchers is all about paranoia and the fear of a threat that can't be comprehended, and it pulls those themes off pretty well. Besides the somewhat slow start, and a few nagging questions that never get answered (like, what happens to people's original bodies?), and the altered ending (I think if the movie would have ended at the point where it was originally supposed to, it would have had much more of an impact on the viewer), Invasion of the Body Snatchers didn't leave me with a lot to complain about.

They are Coming!

[plotrow · 7/10 · 2 September 2006]

This movie is set in Santa Mira, California, a small town that has been invaded by alien seed pods from outer space. These pods have the ability to create copies of human beings, ones that look exactly like the originals, but which are in fact mindless and emotionless shells that become part of an insidious plot to destroy mankind! Dr. Miles Bennell discovers the horrible truth behind the alien invaders and their plot to destroy our world, but his warnings are dismissed as the ravings of a madman.

Fast-paced and wonderfully paranoid, this film has been seen as an analogy for everything from the threat of Cold War communism to the mob hysteria, fascism and witch hunt atmosphere of red-baiters such as Joe McCarthy. (Modern analysis also includes parallels to the fear of viral contamination, the loss of self through the programming of religious fundamentalism, and even the brainwashing of people into mindless consumerism by corporate advertising).

They're Coming!

One of the scariest sci-fi films of the 1950s.

[Bruce_Cook · 15 December 2003]

A chilling motion picture, well directed by Don Sigel, with a script co-written by Daniel Mainwaring and (uncredited) Sam Peckinpah, based on the novel "The Body Snatchers" (aka "Sleep No More") by Jack Finney.

The excellent musical score is by Carmen Dragon. Kevin McCarthy and Dana Wynter head the cast of this four-star classic in which the inhabitants of a small California town are being replaced by alien look-alikes. The aliens come to Earth in the form of "seed pods" that burst open and spew out a foam which grows into human duplicates, complete with all the memories of the original. The best scene in the film takes place in a greenhouse where several alien pods burst open and disgorge the half-formed copies of the horrified humans.

A prologue, a new ending, and a voice over-narration were added after the film's initial release, to help the audience follow the strange plot. In the added scenes, the story opens with Kevin McCarthy being brought into a hospital, raving about alien invaders. Two doctors (Whit Bissell and Richard Deacon) listen to McCarthy's strange story, which the audience sees as a flashback. At the end of he movie the doctors are understandably skeptical about McCarthy's weird yarn, but an unexpected event lends credence to his story.

Many film reviewers criticize these added scenes as unnecessary, an unwise attempt to conclude the story with a happier ending. But these scenes serve a valuable purpose, increasing the viewers sympathy for McCarthy and his efforts to convince someone that mankind is in danger. The alleged "happier ending" does not establish that mankind will win the battle against the aliens. It simply implies a Chapter Two in this epic struggle. Mankind will have a fighting chance in the war, but the outcome is definitely open to debate.

One of the all-time great sci-fi classics

[TheLittleSongbird · 9/10 · 5 June 2011]

That is along with the original The Day the Earth Stood Still, original War of the Worlds, Metropolis, Blade Runner and the granddaddy 2001:A Space Odyssey. Of the three versions I have seen of this great story, this film for me is by far the most well-done and the most faithful to the source material. It is too short perhaps though, and the ending seemed rather rushed. However the cinematography and editing still hold up very well, and the costumes, sets and effects are timeless. The script and story, with so many interesting ideas, are compelling and these ideas developed very well considering the length and the relatively fast pace(which I personally don't see as a problem). Alongside Dirty Harry, Invasion of the Body Snatchers is Don Siegel's best directed film, the music is atmospheric,there is genuine tension and suspense in the atmosphere which alone sets it apart from the other film versions, and the acting is fine for what it was, with Kevin McCarthy giving one of his more memorable performances. All in all, a sci-fi classic. 9/10 Bethany Cox

An American cinematic masterpiece

[SimplySteve · 10/10 · 1 August 2005]

When I first watched this movie I was a teenager. I knew nothing about the Mcarthey era. I didn't live through the early post cold war paranoia. There were no outside influences aside from my love of movies.

I have seen the film over 2 dozen times and believe it to be the best of the 50's generation, and one of the top 3 or 4 science fiction films of all time. With or without the prologue and epilogue.

All things are not what they seem. What if you woke up from a nightmare to find that you are still in it, and can't get out. The message is clear. A home, a car, and a career are all great to strive for in one's life. But love, compassion and emotion are the true gifts to keep living in the first place. Imagine a home without love or any emotion what so ever. None. Good or bad.

One by one, Kevin Mcarthy and Dana Wynter are confronted by the loss of neighbors, associates, and friends. The horror of the loss of everything they new. Early on, when a boy thinks his mother isn't his mother, and a friend doubt's her uncle is who he says he is. Doctor Miles is confused and doesn't know what to believe. So he goes with common sense. His eyes see there is no problem. But The evidence piles slowly and precisely. Soon it is not only what to believe, but who to trust.

Kevin Mcarthy is outstanding. Dana Wynter is absolutely gorgeous and the chemistry between the two seems real. The film will keep you glued from beginning 'til end. Simply one of the best!

Strangely intriguing and interesting sci-fi creeper.....

[joebloggscity · 7/10 · 20 January 2011]

"Invasion of the Body Snathchers" is really a title that you would think deserves to belong to a throwaway B-movie of no mark. However, this film bucks that trend. Quite a creepy film that follows mainly a lead man in a town where he and the other happy residents are being surreptitiously replaced by clones. The questions are varied, and we follow our leads as they try to decipher what is going on and then how to react to it.

Not often something you say for a film in this genre, but the acting is generally very good and our lead (Kevin McCarthy) really carries off his role with aplomb. He makes it almost believable and convincing! Direction is good and there is always an underlying creepy tone to the film despite there being no gore or the likes. Everything is in our heads! I'd say you should give it try. It's more cerebral, but always accessible. Enjoyable movie.

What A Great Scene

[Rote · 10/10 · 27 August 2006]

In the movie there is a sequence in which Dr. Bennell leaves the cave. He steps out while Becky stays behind almost falling asleep. Is Dr. Bennell drawn out by a desire to check how their escape is progressing or to listen to that beautiful music that is coming from the radio. He is probably thinking that anybody playing such a beautiful tune can't be out to get him. This a a great scene. I am eager to know what the name of that tune is.

It is a touch choice between this movie and the sequel made with Donald Sutherland but I am inclined to not only say that this is the better of the two but also go so far as to say that it is one of the best horror movies ever made.

Should've ended it on the highway.

[stevelomas-69401 · 7/10 · 24 May 2020]

Still a classic of paranoia cinema with a wonderfully creepy plotline, even though it should've ended with the shouted warning on the road. Alright the acting is shaky and the characters are really clichéd but there is a reason why this spawned so many remakes.

A Small Town Is Seemingly Being Taken Over By Imposters.

[phillipgowens1 · 10/10 · 31 December 2011]

Is a small town being taken over by imposters? That's what various people begin to believe. When they reveal their fears to Dr. Miles Bennell, he is skeptical at first. Then, over the next few days, he begins to run into old friends and realizes they, too, are acting differently. The questions are, why are they acting differently? And, can Dr. Bennell convince the authorities that something sinister really is going on in Santa Mira, CA? Kevin McCarthy, Dana Wynter, King Donovan and Carolyn Jones are an excellent cast in an excellent little story of "What's going on in my little hometown?" I have the novel based upon the Collier's Magazine serial written by Jack Finney, and I can honestly tell you there really is nothing about anti-communism, anti-(Senator) McCarthyism, etc., in this film. It's just a neat little sci-fi/horror film that works best on a Saturday night with the lights turned down low, during a full-blown thunderstorm. Right now, Jan. 1, 2012, 1:18 AM, I'm watching it during a Midwestern blizzard (I live about 45 miles NE of Indy.) with the house shuddering with the wind gusts. BR-R-R!

Defies its B-movie trappings; a sci-fi classic

[Mr-Fusion · 7/10 · 22 April 2015]

"Invasion of the Body Snatchers" is what, almost 60 years old? And a b-movie no less. And it still holds up pretty damn well. The scares still work, the score is all manner of creepy and its paranoia is credible. The themes of robbed identity and dehumanization help it maintain resonance; it's a universal fear. I always liked Siegel's look for this movie, the noir visuals, askew angles, and I get plenty of mileage out of the phrase "pod people" in everyday life. This movie's place in sci-fi and pop culture is assured. But at the end of the day, it's just good entertainment, and hauntingly pessimistic.

Good movie, needed better actors

[princebansal1982 · 4/10 · 15 June 2011]

I really don't like classic horror movies, so I avoided this movie for a long time. I was both surprised and disappointed by this movie.

It is a good movie. It has a very interesting premise. It has good pace and even the background score was not too overbearing. Most of the complaints which I have with classic horror movies.

But I think they could have done a much better job. Kevin McCarthy as the lead lacks the charisma or acting ability that this role required. The biggest problem for me was that when the humans are being replaced I was expecting the replacements to be eerie. Sadly that was not the case. I wanted to the feel the horror that the characters felt when their loved ones were replaced but that never happened.

A Very Exciting and Often Involving Noir Fantasy Thriller; Recommended

[silverscreen888 · 8/10 · 28 June 2005]

The decision to make this fascinating novel into a noir thriller worked very well on its own merits as an "adventure" with mostly-implicit ideas as motivations; however, I believe the film could have been made into a dramatic work of unusual power, It is B/W, swift-paced, intelligently acted and unusually- well-directed by Don Siegel, with a literate script by Daniel Mainwaring. The project is also interesting and disturbing for a number of reasons. Jack Finney wrote a novel in the 1950s which some read as a loss of American individualism, and others as an attack on Cold-War mentality realpolitik. Whatever the wellsprings of this fine idea, Finney's story treated of "seeds from space"; the idea is that these came to Earth and have the power to reproduce themselves into any living thing's form, right down to its thought patterns, memories, etc. But of course they have no emotions--they are merely replicas, not the originals. A mass hysteria grips the town of Santa Mira, California, shortly after their secret arrival on our planet; and Dr. Miles Bennell is called home from a conference because a dozen people claim some relative or beloved friend is not who they were before. When this seems to die down, Miles has time to pursue old flame and lovely Becky Driscoll, now that both their divorces are final. But the problem does not disappear and cannot be explained away by a psychologist friend of Bennelle's, thoughtfully played by Larry Gates. Bennell and his friend Jack Belicec and his wife Teddie find a body on Jack's pool table; his wife think's it's an alien thing--to replace Jack. They three flee to Miles's house, and Bennell goes to get Becky--carrying her off into the night. The next day looks sunny and normal, except that they find huge seed pods in Bennell's greenhouse, turning into--something else. Or someone? The remainder of the film consists of Bennell trying to call for help, observing the distribution of seeds in trucks in the small town's center, being trapped in his office, overcoming two guards, fleeing, and losing Becky to the monsters, before he finally convinces authorities that he is not insane; this requires an accident--to a truck carrying giant seed pods, from Santa Mira. As Bennell, Kevin McCarthy is quite good if not ideal. Dana Wynter is classically good as Becky; King Donovan and Carolyn Jones are the Belicecs, she doing a great deal with little to work from. Ralph Dumke as the Police Chief and Virginia Christine as Becky's Aunt Wilma are also standouts. Others in the cast include Kenneth Patterson, Tom Fadden, Guy Rennie and Jean Willes as Bennell's nurse. The production values are all good, by my standards, but only the direction is outstanding, except for the special effects. Carmen Dragon supplied eerie music suitable to the action. The loss to the film occasioned by its being made as a frightening adventure can be gauged best perhaps by comparing the qualities of Raymond Chandler's The Little Sister with the enjoyable adventure-level film "Marlowe" made in the 1970s. What we have here is a taut and often moving entertainment; what we might have had could have contained every element here, but could also perhaps have been even more intriguing. The theme of the film is "what makes a person human"; and no stronger idea for an idea-level fantasy can perhaps be imagined. But what we have here is a famous and interesting thriller in its own right; I like the envelope involving Richard Deacon, Whitner Bissell and others as the doctors at a mental hospital to which a raving Bennell is taken when he escape Santa Mira's nightmare. The original "They're here!" ending to me would have been unacceptably alarmist.

An effective sci-fi, horror film.

[MonsterVision99 · 9/10 · 8 October 2017]

Invasion of the Body Snatchers its a great movie, not just for being a Science Fiction/Horror film from the 1950's but it also works really well if don't take the genre into account.

Its incredibly effective, few movies have made me feel as paranoid as this one did, probably the 1978 remake of this film, Rosemary's Baby and The Hateful Eight. This one is now on that list of films that made me distrust everyone on screen.

Politics aside, this film also has many philosophical thoughts about who we really are as individuals and what makes us human, as oppose to alien plants I guess.

Overall, a classic that inspired several remakes and scared lots of people in its original run and even years later.

One Word Only......Masterpiece!

[BaronBl00d · 31 October 1999]

Invasion of the Body Snatchers is the quintessential sci-fi film of the 50s, praying on the particular fears and paranoias of the time as well as more basic, instinctual phobias within each of us. The story is simple enough about a benevolent, intellectual doctor returning from vacation only to find that some weird, unexplainable feelings have been generated in the small town of Santa Mira. Some people say that relatives are not who they seem to be, despite being exact duplicates physically and mentally. This leads to one discovery to another for the good doctor, his girl, and two friends, and what we have through each discovery is one more piece to the puzzle that an alien presence is at work. What makes this film so successful is the pace and frantic mood it creates. We are caught up in Dr. Bennel's work, his fears and anxieties, his discoveries, and his uncovering of the truth. We feel confined, betrayed, and even suspicious of everything he encounters. Credit for this certainly must go to director Don Siegel and his outstanding ability to create this almost claustrophobic atmosphere, as well as to Kevin McCarthy who does an outstanding job playing the doctor. There are scenes in this film that live on long after viewing it...and the last one in particular has forever been etched into my mind. For a good fright, see Invasion of the Body Snatchers...They're here! They're here!

Invasion of the Body Snatchers, suggested an "individual's unimportance in a complex, modern world."

[Higley39 · 8/10 · 6 February 2014]

In the 1950s, The American cinema produced a sequence of science fiction films that generally revolved around and reflected significant political, cultural and social concerning plots. These films presented incredible events that usually were the result of nuclear radiation, alien invasions, mutation, and body snatching influences. In addition to the film plots, special effects were added to complete the cinematic experience. The film, Invasion of the Body Snatchers, suggested an "individual's unimportance in a complex, modern world." Beneath the unimportance was the political concern of conformity and loss of individuality among the residents of Santa Mira, California. Invasion of the Body Snatchers illustrates the difference between America's collision of Individualism and the collective culture of conformity. Although Invasion of the Body Snatchers did not intend to become an allegory of political work according to director Don Siegel, it is evident that through specific instances, the film became a symbolic contrast of individualism and collectivism.

The office scene between protagonist, Miles Bennell played by Kevin McCarthy and former girlfriend Becky Driscoll played by Dana Wynter occurs as they are escaping the pod people, launching the chase sequence. As Miles and Becky hide themselves in a doctor's office, Miles goes into a moralistic speech about the pod people. In this instance, the pod ideology is revealed and ultimate goal of conformity is discovered; to convert the residents of Santa Mira for a collective, classless, Communist-like society as well as to promote the purpose to suppress individuality, to make life easier. In reality, this scene is a symbolic parallel to Senator Joseph McCarthy's pursuit for social conformity in the 1950s. This scene is packed with conspiracy and paranoia. Also, metaphorical of McCarthy's claims that there were Soviet spies and Communists inside the government system and among the general population.

While Miles and Becky hide in the doctor's office, they an abundance of take pills to stay awake. Sleep stands as an allegory to suggest the burgeoning of a mass conformity; where the pods take over the residents while they fail to be alert, meaning sleeping. In the film, it is said that, "the pods will absorb your minds, your memories, and you're reborn into an untroubled world". This untroubled world represents the world of classless, ambition-less, emotionless, simple society, where every individual is no longer "individual", rather, a hollow drone of a collective socialist culture.

As stated earlier, in the 1950s McCarthy made claims of covert Communists inside the government; Invasion of the Body Snatchers also has a covert concept in regard to ignoring what seems to be out of the ordinary. This concept concerns the role of the authorities in the film. Miles is taken in by authorities on the invasion of the pod people, when the psychiatrists and police attempt to turn the bizarreness of the situation into a simple matter, as if it is Miles who is delirious. This scene alludes to authority figures and the effort to encourage normalcy in the most mind-boggling situations. Invasion demonstrates society becoming less individual and more depersonalized with the characterless collective society replacing America.

Sci-fi thriller taps into 1950's paranoia

[Libretio · 6/10 · 19 December 2004]

INVASION OF THE BODY SNATCHERS

Aspect ratio: 2.00:1 (Superscope)

Sound format: Mono

(Black and white)

A small Californian town is overrun by alien pods which begin to replicate the inhabitants, prior to spreading their influence across the country - and the world.

Alien invaders masquerading as human beings? Or Communist infiltrators masquerading as aliens masquerading as humans? Don Siegel's clever film not only taps into the paranoia of its era, it also exploits the timeless fear of 'invasion from without' which has sustained dozens of similar horror/sci-fi movies over the years. It's also genuinely frightening in places: The 'unfinished' humanoid pod discovered on a pool table in co-star King Donovan's home, which begins to resemble Donovan and eventually... opens its eyes; the bone-chilling close-up of a major character who has succumbed to the alien's influence during the course of a single kiss; and the famous scene in which hero Kevin McCarthy struggles to convince motorists on a busy highway of the impending catastrophe ("You're next! You're next!"). Simple but never simplistic, and photographed in noirish black and white by ace cameraman Ellsworth Fredericks (SEVEN DAYS IN MAY, PICTURE MOMMY DEAD), the movie earns its place as one of the most memorable genre pieces of the 1950's. Future director Sam Peckinpah has a brief cameo (as Charlie, the meter reader); remade by Philip Kaufman in 1978, and by Abel Ferrara (as BODY SNATCHERS) in 1993, with THE INVASION following in 2007.

One of the best sci-fi horrors ever

[Christopher_Reid · 8/10 · 5 February 2016]

I feel like I've seen so many movies with this kind of concept. People aren't themselves, something fishy is going on. Eventually, the evidence is too much to ignore but our main characters are already outnumbered by tens or hundreds. It's similar to the zombie genre except that here the "possessed" or "infected" ones act normal which is far more unnerving. This has to be one of the earliest and most effective versions of this kind of story.

It is legitimately creepy and has many memorable moments. Blank, "dead" bodies turning up out of nowhere. Alien pods giving birth to proto-humans. A convergence of strangers in the middle of town as if they all have telepathic powers. You begin to suspect people constantly, are they really on our side? Are our heroes being lured into a trap? Are they safe here? The build-up is excellent as well. People urgently seeking a doctor and then abruptly canceling and feeling much better. A boy terrified of his mother because she is not really his mother and then suddenly he is okay again. A woman swears that her uncle is no longer himself but can't quite prove it. Your imagination starts to fill in the gaps.

It's effective to show the main character flustered and babbling at the start. It contrasts greatly with how calm and reasonable he was only a few days ago as he recounts what happened. We figure that it must have taken something very disturbing to drive him to that level of mania. This builds our anticipation for finding out what he went through.

It's funny that the main actor's name is (Kevin) McCarthy. There are certainly parallels that could be drawn with the communism scare of the 1950s. Are we too suspicious about our neighbours? Are we becoming paranoid and seeing everyone as being against us? Or perhaps our freedom is being taken away and we are being forced to robotically follow traditional American values.

Invasion of the Body Snatchers wastes no time at 80min. It builds the way a good suspense/horror film should and the turn of events are satisfying. It isn't too predictable and it really had me on the edge of my seat, apprehensive about where the story was going and how it could possibly be resolved. Less is more and this movie only shows what it really needs to. It plants the seeds of fear in your mind and you do the rest.

The Oldest film I reviewed

[mm-39 · 7/10 · 27 March 2002]

We saw this film after seeing the two remakes. It was in the cult section of our video store. It is the first B&W movie I reviewed. The story holds up well; much better than some of today's horror/suspense films. It would be disturbing to be in a society that has no emotions. No one would believe you if this actually happened.

It's a shame people usually see the '78 version more.

[emovies1994 · 9/10 · 22 August 2007]

After years of searching, I finally was able to rent a copy from my library. I've got to say, when I first started looking for it, I should've just bought it! The camera angles are AMAZING, especially when the main characters first find their pods in a green house (NOT A SPOILER) and the camera was placed in an odd sort of diagonal floor view, a view I haven't seen done well in a long time, and I wish movies would do it, it gave it a creepy sort of feel.

Anyway, it really does upset me when I hear that people usually just talk about how good the 1978 version was and say they never saw the original, frankly, I thought the '78 version was trying to hard to make this classic a new age horror.