Invasion Of The Body Snatchers (1956)
Invasion Of The Body Snatchers (1956)
In 1954 author Jack Finney published one of my favourite science-fiction/horror novels, The Body Snatchers. The Body Snatchers was a truly terrifying novel, and a fast paced read, that was really hard to put down, if you haven't read it, I highly recommend it. I had grown up on the two popular film adaptations of the film, so when I finally read that book, it delved so much deeper, and told the story much better. However this isn't a book review, this is a review of the 1956 film adaptation of Jack Finney's novel entitled Invasion of The Body Snatchers, a film that captivated and terrified audiences for generations to come. This story isn't just about an invasion from aliens from another world, but is about the most terrifying thing on earth, mindless conformity, and the loss of individuality. The concept of conformity and the loss of the individual has been explored many times in cinema, for example it was a central theme of the Sci-Fi classic Logan's Run. To keep one's self, and that which makes you unique, and individual is to me what it means to be human, when we lose that individuality, we then lose our humanity, which is the central theme of Invasion Of The Body Snatchers, "I want to love, and be loved..." says one of the main characters Becky Driscoll, because it is that ability to feel emotions, and that quality of being ourselves, and individuals is what it means to be alive. Sure the aliens are offering a life without suffering, but it is also a life without emotion, without love, without feeling, and individual thought, and that is not life at all. At the time, this was seen as an argument for American Freedom and Democracy, during the time of the "Red Scare", where American Capitalists were perpetuating a myth of Communism taking away our individuality, and making everyone the same, because in their small minds "Equality=Conformity and the loss of individuality", which is a false equivalent thinking used to perpetuate capitalism and corporate conformity. But I digress, though there is definitely political themes inherent in the film, and there is definitely a root in the Cold War "Red Scare", I don't want this discussion to be rooted in the political themes, and the pros and cons of Communism vs Capitalism.
Invasion Of The Body Snatchers was directed by Don Siegel, with a screenplay by Daniel Mainwaring. The film was based on Jack Finney's 1954 novel The Body Snatchers, though the title was changed for the film to avoid possible confusion with the 1945 film The Body Snatcher, so after several name suggestions they settled on Invasion Of The Body Snatchers. The film was released in 1956, and distributed by Allied Artists Pictures. The film was released in Superscope ratio. The film was a huge success in the box office, grossing $3 million with a budget of $382,190. However, Invasion Of The Body Snatchers wasn't a hit among the critics of the time, it did become a critical success, many years later as critics looked back on it in retrospect. The film ranks high on many top science-fiction and horror lists, and holds a very high score on online film rating sites. Invasion Of The Body Snatchers was an instant classic among viewers, but more of a cult classic when it comes to the critics. Jack Finney's novel would be adapted multiple times for the big and little screen, either in direct adaptations, inspiring films, being ripped off, and even being a huge source of parody. No matter how you look at it Invasion Of The Body Snatchers became a highly influential work, that has become a part of our pop-culture, and is an instantly recognizable story and film. Though the first two film adaptations were definitely the best known.
Invasion Of The Body Snatchers stars Kevin McCarthy as Dr Miles Bennell, Dana Wynter as Becky Driscoll, King Donovan as Jack Belicec, and Carolyn Jones as Teddy Belicec. The film has a great cast, and even features future film director Sam Peckinpah in the small role as Charlie the meter reader. Due to a major budget cut for the production of the film, producer Walter Wanger and director Don Siegel were forced to forgo bigger name actors, and opt for lesser known and television actors instead, which ultimately was a moved that worked for this film. The actors that were hired to play the roles were perfectly cast.
Overall Invasion Of The Body Snatchers was a beautiful and terrifying film. There were several changes that were made from the original novel, especially concerning the ending of the story, as the corporate execs demanded a less dismal ending than screenwriter Daniel Mainwaring had originally intended, also the filmmakers were forced to add a prologue and epilogue, at the studio execs demand. The film has elements of classic science-fiction, horror, and film noir, which work together really well to create the dark foreboding atmosphere of a silent invasion from an alien race who are replacing the human race with "pod people".
If you have not yet seen the original Invasion Of The Body Snatchers, I highly recommend checking it out. This has always been one of my favourite films, and to date I still believe that this is the best version of this classic film to be released. I also highly recommend picking up a copy of the original Jack Finney novel The Body Snatchers as well. This film is a must see, that should be a part of every film collectors library.
Invasion Of The Body Snatchers was directed by Don Siegel, with a screenplay by Daniel Mainwaring. The film was based on Jack Finney's 1954 novel The Body Snatchers, though the title was changed for the film to avoid possible confusion with the 1945 film The Body Snatcher, so after several name suggestions they settled on Invasion Of The Body Snatchers. The film was released in 1956, and distributed by Allied Artists Pictures. The film was released in Superscope ratio. The film was a huge success in the box office, grossing $3 million with a budget of $382,190. However, Invasion Of The Body Snatchers wasn't a hit among the critics of the time, it did become a critical success, many years later as critics looked back on it in retrospect. The film ranks high on many top science-fiction and horror lists, and holds a very high score on online film rating sites. Invasion Of The Body Snatchers was an instant classic among viewers, but more of a cult classic when it comes to the critics. Jack Finney's novel would be adapted multiple times for the big and little screen, either in direct adaptations, inspiring films, being ripped off, and even being a huge source of parody. No matter how you look at it Invasion Of The Body Snatchers became a highly influential work, that has become a part of our pop-culture, and is an instantly recognizable story and film. Though the first two film adaptations were definitely the best known.
Invasion Of The Body Snatchers stars Kevin McCarthy as Dr Miles Bennell, Dana Wynter as Becky Driscoll, King Donovan as Jack Belicec, and Carolyn Jones as Teddy Belicec. The film has a great cast, and even features future film director Sam Peckinpah in the small role as Charlie the meter reader. Due to a major budget cut for the production of the film, producer Walter Wanger and director Don Siegel were forced to forgo bigger name actors, and opt for lesser known and television actors instead, which ultimately was a moved that worked for this film. The actors that were hired to play the roles were perfectly cast.
Overall Invasion Of The Body Snatchers was a beautiful and terrifying film. There were several changes that were made from the original novel, especially concerning the ending of the story, as the corporate execs demanded a less dismal ending than screenwriter Daniel Mainwaring had originally intended, also the filmmakers were forced to add a prologue and epilogue, at the studio execs demand. The film has elements of classic science-fiction, horror, and film noir, which work together really well to create the dark foreboding atmosphere of a silent invasion from an alien race who are replacing the human race with "pod people".
If you have not yet seen the original Invasion Of The Body Snatchers, I highly recommend checking it out. This has always been one of my favourite films, and to date I still believe that this is the best version of this classic film to be released. I also highly recommend picking up a copy of the original Jack Finney novel The Body Snatchers as well. This film is a must see, that should be a part of every film collectors library.
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