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From Amazon.co.uk
Something's wrong in the town of Santa Mira, California. At first, Dr. Miles Bennell (Kevin McCarthy) is unconcerned when the townsfolk accuse their loved ones of acting like emotionless imposters. But soon the evidence is overwhelming--Santa Mira has been invaded by alien "pods" that are capable of replicating humans and taking possession of their identities. It's up to McCarthy to spread the word of warning, battling the alien invasion at the risk of his own life. Considered one of the best science fiction films of the 1950s and '60s, this classic paranoid thriller was widely interpreted as a criticism of the McCarthy era (that's Senator Joseph, not actor Kevin), which was characterised by anticommunist witch-hunts and fear of the dreaded blacklist. Some hailed it as an attack on the oppressive power of government as Big Brother. However viewers interpret it, this original 1956 version of Invaders of the Body Snatchers (based on Jack Finney's serialised novel The Body Snatchers) remains a milestone movie in its genre, directed by Don Siegel with an inventive intensity that continues to pack an entertaining wallop. Look closely and you'll find future director Sam Peckinpah (an uncredited cowriter of this film) making a cameo appearance as a meter reader!--Jeff Shannon
Product Description
The citizens of a small Californian town begin to complain that their fellow townsfolk are not what they used to be. Local doctor Miles Bennel (Kevin McCarthy) discovers the reason behind their sudden personality shifts: extra-terrestrials are replacing humans with lookalikes grown in large pods. Bennel struggles to warn the nation of the truth before he too gets the alien make-over treatment. A remake starring Donald Sutherland was made in 1977, in which McCarthy had a cameo role.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
16 of 16 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
Based on a Collier's Magazine serial by Jack Finney, "Invasion of the Body Snatchers" is an intelligent, superb example of its era and genre, with excellent direction and cast. Director Don Siegel said that this was probably his best film, though he deplored that the film studio (United Artists) made him add a prologue and epilogue, and tell the story with narration as a flashback. Though this format would weaken the chilling effect of the story somewhat, it is nevertheless riveting and quite frightening. When Doctor Miles Bennell returns from a business trip, he finds his small town changed, with people saying that their loved ones are "no longer the same." Miles also finds that his sweetheart of many years ago, Becky Driscoll, has come home after a 5 year absence, and a divorce, and they make a marvelous duo, quoting Shakespeare to each other, and with some dialogue that in the mid 1950s would have been quite racy.
Kevin McCarthy is marvelous as Miles, who runs a race against time and sleep to fight the pod people, and Dana Wynter is beautiful as Becky. There are others in the above average cast that will be familiar to old time TV viewers, like Carolyn Jones (Morticia of "The Adams Family"), Virginia Christine (Mrs. Olsen of the Folger's Coffee commercials), and Richard Deacon (Mel Cooley of "The Dick Van Dyke Show"). Among the credits, the great Carmen Dragon did the soundtrack, Ellsworth Fredericks the cinematography, and Daniel Mainwaring the bright and clever script.
The premise as I see it (and I think every viewer will bring his own interpretation to this film depending on his viewpoint) is still valid, as conformity is still king, and pod people are ever present. The 1978 remake is one of the few that lives up to the original, and is also highly recommended.
... Read more ›9 of 9 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
This is a very clever, full on, classic sci-fi adventure that captures a style of film-making enbracing noir and expressionism in a delightfully morbid-sense of cinematic storytelling. So why 3 stars? Because this print (welcomed in widescreen) looks as if (at times) it has been transferred from a long defunct Nickleodean. Sloppy grainy presentation. Shame.
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
By Euni45
Format:DVD
One of the Best- Ever Si Fi/ Horror Movies. A Classic, much imitated by later film-makers. It stands the test if time, even though I know some people won't give old black and white movies a look, I cadjolled my 25 year son into watching it , and he thought it was way better and more scary than most modern day Slasher - Pics.
The sininster atmosphere conveyed, the casting, the special effects, , and actors still hold the power to chill the bones today,
The sininster atmosphere conveyed, the casting, the special effects, , and actors still hold the power to chill the bones today,
28 of 31 people found the following review helpful
By AlanKS
Format:DVD
First the good news. This film IS a classic of its kind and indispensible for fans of the genre. It is fascinating to watch it and compare it with the Donald Sutherland remake and see how the latter incorporates scenes from the first.
The bad news is that I agree with the previous reviewer. The picture is not exactly sharp and the sound quality equally poor in parts. The only extra is more of a curio; the colourised version.
I'm glad I have it, but a little disappointed to have no commentary or feature putting it into context.
The bad news is that I agree with the previous reviewer. The picture is not exactly sharp and the sound quality equally poor in parts. The only extra is more of a curio; the colourised version.
I'm glad I have it, but a little disappointed to have no commentary or feature putting it into context.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
By O. Buxton
Format:DVD
The title calls to mind a landscape strewn with grave-robbing zombies but Don Siegel's 1956 film is an altogether more intellectual parable than most science fiction of the time. A young doctor in a Californian town experiences a rash of patients complaining their loved ones are impostors: identical in body and mind, but lacking in soul and emotion. Initially satisfied by the town shrink's reassurances that this is localised hysteria, Dr Bennel (the ironically named Kevin McCarthy) begins to smell a rat as more of his acquaintances are afflicted, and knows he's caught one when a friend discovers an almost completely formed replica on his pool table. From there much excitement is had as Dr Bennel realises he and his lady friend, a saucy Becky Driscoll (Dana Wynter) are the only humans left in Santa Mira and the invaders - from an alien place, we can only surmise - are advanced in their planning to take this scheme nationwide.
Invasion of the Body Snatchers is, common consensus will tell you, an allegory, although a hearty debate can be had about what: one school has it that Siegel has communism in his sights; another that it is in fact *anti-communist* hysteria that the film warns against. Siegel himself, on the other hand, disavowed all political readings. He maintained he was just trying to make a thriller.
While it is difficult to imagine 1956 Hollywood having much truck with a McCarthyist agenda, it is harder to read Invasion of the Body Snatchers as the opposite: the enemy are the pods and the unseen, creeping brainwash they bring which saps a victim's passion, individuality and Americanism: straight out of Senator McCarthy's playbook.... Read more ›
Invasion of the Body Snatchers is, common consensus will tell you, an allegory, although a hearty debate can be had about what: one school has it that Siegel has communism in his sights; another that it is in fact *anti-communist* hysteria that the film warns against. Siegel himself, on the other hand, disavowed all political readings. He maintained he was just trying to make a thriller.
While it is difficult to imagine 1956 Hollywood having much truck with a McCarthyist agenda, it is harder to read Invasion of the Body Snatchers as the opposite: the enemy are the pods and the unseen, creeping brainwash they bring which saps a victim's passion, individuality and Americanism: straight out of Senator McCarthy's playbook.... Read more ›
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
By FAMOUS NAME
VINE™ VOICE
Format:DVD
Definitely one of the most exciting sci-fi movies ever made!
This is one of those movies that can be watched over and over again and still be enthralling - no re-make could ever match this original, starring Kevin McCarthy and Dana Wynter.
Huge seed pods arrive from outer space that 'hatch' and take on the form of 'imageless' human bodies. As soon as the nearest person falls asleep, 'it' becomes that person - exactly the same in every way, but without emotion. A Doctor and his girl put up a tremendous fight against this phenomenon, and this film is sure to keep you on the edge of your seat until the very end!
Great stuff!
This is one of those movies that can be watched over and over again and still be enthralling - no re-make could ever match this original, starring Kevin McCarthy and Dana Wynter.
Huge seed pods arrive from outer space that 'hatch' and take on the form of 'imageless' human bodies. As soon as the nearest person falls asleep, 'it' becomes that person - exactly the same in every way, but without emotion. A Doctor and his girl put up a tremendous fight against this phenomenon, and this film is sure to keep you on the edge of your seat until the very end!
Great stuff!
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Still Has not Lost it's Impact.
A landmark in cinema, not just in sci-fi, but in cinema period. This film truly set the bench mark for high tension, suspense, and paranoia which the 1970's remake comes close to,... Read more
Published 3 months ago by Liolania
5.0 out of 5 stars
invasionfinallyhere 2 stay on blue ray
great transfer to blue ray a true classic gem for early sci-fi buffs like myself.a must see, a must purchase for the die hard fans of this genre. Read more
Published 9 months ago by Tracys
5.0 out of 5 stars
invasion of the instant classic
Although I have this disc already, I would highly recommend this release. The only gripe is that it's shown in 4:3 widescreen, not 16:9 anamorphic. Read more
Published 10 months ago by Beres
5.0 out of 5 stars
good stuff
what a bloody good film, and it is true, they really can't make them like this anymore..for oldies like me this is pure heaven, a good watch if not a bit cheesy, but hey it... Read more
Published 13 months ago by al
5.0 out of 5 stars
PLEASANTLY SUPRISED!
This film was one of 7 in 'THE CLASSIC SCI-FI COLLECTION' box set. I had never brought this film on it's own because of all the negative reviews I had read about the quality of the... Read more
Published 21 months ago by Graham
5.0 out of 5 stars
Awful transfer
As with many other reviewers here, I agree the film itself is an absolute classic. It frightened the tripe out of me as a kid and I can still see it's power now. Read more
Published 22 months ago by Bignose
5.0 out of 5 stars
A masterpiece of political allegory
This is amongst the greatest, and most important, sci-fi films of the 20th century. Made during the McCarthy era of american politics, this is a demonstration of the power of... Read more
Published on 21 Feb 2011 by S. Meadows
1.0 out of 5 stars
Absolutely AWFUL quality DVD - Avoid!!!
Fantastic film - dreadful transfers!
Shame on Universal for releasing such a dreadful transfer of a cult masterpiece. Read more
Shame on Universal for releasing such a dreadful transfer of a cult masterpiece. Read more
Published on 23 Sep 2010 by J. MAY
5.0 out of 5 stars
"Take two of these they will help you to stay awake."
you will definately stay awake for this one. Excellent film, from beginning to end, will stand up to repeated viewing, transfer on my copy not of the highest quality,scary concept,... Read more
Published on 29 Aug 2010 by T. BARNES
4.0 out of 5 stars
Fine but buy the US release instead
Although I will admit to preferring the Abel Ferrara version (remake) from 1993, this Don Siegal original is just fine and creepy enough to still be watchable over 50 years since... Read more
Published on 30 Jun 2009 by L J Thomson
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