Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #4413 in DVD
• Released on: 2007-10-01
• Rating: Parental Guidance
• Formats: Black & White, PAL
• Original language: English
• Number of discs: 1
• Running time: 85 minutes

Amazon.co.uk Review
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

Synopsis
Don Siegel's cult masterpiece, interpreted as an allegory of both McCarthyism and Communism, is undoubtedly one of the screen's most disturbing evocations of paranoia. It stars Kevin McCarthy as Dr. Miles Binnell, a physician whose traumatized arrival in the emergency room of a San Francisco hospital leads the staff to believe he's lost his mind. In a series of flashbacks, he unwinds a bizarre account of his last few days. After his return from a trip to rural Santa Mira, his nurse, Sally (Jean Willes), explains that his office has been flooded with patients who have made appointments yet never appeared. Former girlfriend Becky Driscoll (Dana Wynter) tells him that she's unable to rid herself of the belief that the man claiming to be her uncle is an impostor. A hysterical young boy refuses to return home, claiming that his mother is not his mother. Miles's concern over this pattern of incidents, temporarily allayed by some jargon from the town psychiatrist, is newly aroused when he gets a phone call from friend Jack Belicec (King Donovan), who begs him to come over and take a look at the strange mannequin-like figure that's suddenly appeared on his pool table. This exceptionally well written and directed fable, the ultimate comment on the subtly coercive conformity of the 1950s, may be Siegel's best film, and it is undoubtedly one of the most exciting science fiction films ever made.

Customer Reviews

Rv1
A film which creates tension at times, though does uphold its continuity throughout. Lack of CGI obviously accepted, this plot nevertheless is full of holes. The motivation behind the otherworldly beings wanting to inhabit earth is never established, the consequence of which is a lack of consistent atmosphere. Without wanting to give anything more than the basic plot establishment away to those who have not sen this film, it would suffice to say that the method of transfrmation leaves a great deal too much to the imagination, and does not provide a basic framework upon which to hang any imagined theories about how the transplantation of an alien mind into a human body would take place.

However, acting is generally of a good standard, and at times this film is genuinely scary. I went into my bedroom afterwardss thinking that, as I turned on the light I would see an expressionless replica of myself staring me in the face.

The premise certainly works, however I feel that this film would appeal to American audiences far more than to British, as the American's preference for a visual representation of man (America) triumphing over aliens is satisfied somewhat by the ending. Also, American audiences would be less concerned about the mysterious lack of motivation on the part of the aliens for wanting to overtake earth, because of course, why wouldn't they want to overtake earth? British audiences I fear, may be more cynical.

A great and exciting sci-fi movie.

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!

Invasion Of The Body Snatchers 1956
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,