The 1956 film The Invasion Of The Body Snatchers is a seminal piece of cinema. This movie combined the theme of alien invaders with that of xenophobia and the fear of communists infiltrating American society. Kevin McCarthy and Dana Wynter starred in the film, and directed by Don Siegel, in an Allied Artists film. The film was based on a novel by Jack Finney called The Body Snatchers.
This black and white movie is atmospheric and establishes quickly a tone of distrust and disquiet, by creating a world in which normalcy seems just out of place. This questioning of normalcy, especially in the context of 1950s America, in which conformity was seen as a virtue, is a strength of the movie. In post World War Two America, many people lived in a segregated world, divided by race, class, and religion. Also, the United States was suffering through the hearings run by Senator Joe McCarthy, which were a modern version of witch hunts. The level of paranoia that was permeating American society is reflected in this film. Additionally, the possible effects of scientific research on humanity as well as the omnipresent nuclear threat also inform the tone of this film.
Certainly, there were people who opposed the insanity of the time, people such as the writers Dashiell Hammett and Lillian Hellman, and the journalist Edgar R. Murrow, but I will discuss their courage in another post in the future.
Invasion Of The Body Snatchers has grown in popularity and has become recognized as one of the most important science fiction films of the 1950s, if not in American cinema as a whole. The idea of the loss of humanity behind the facade of a person’s face gives rise to the current explosion of zombie movies. This movie also gave America the term that would live in our consciousness of “pod people.” It is a brilliant movie, and one that I suggest that you see if you have not.
A great movie.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you! Yes, it is.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’ve been a big sci-fi fan since I was a small one. The Blob is the first sci-fi move I recall seeing, The Martian the last.
Most of the books I read, movies and TV shows I watch, fall under the umbrella term of speculative fiction. I love being taken to another place.
LikeLiked by 2 people
I love speculative fiction, in its variety of forms.
LikeLiked by 1 person
So do I. There’s no formula, such as in the romance genre, for example. Anything goes, as long as it is at least a wee bit strange.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I agree. It encourages creativity.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Has always been one of my favourites!! Good choice
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you!
LikeLike
Another cracking film and great review. It’s been a long time since i saw this, and I must remedy that soon!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you! I am sure you will enjoy it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
This is such a good movie. Thank you for putting this in the social and political context of the time.
LikeLiked by 2 people
You are very welcome, and thank you for the kind words.
LikeLiked by 1 person
The more I encounter actual Pod People, the more I like this movie….
LikeLiked by 1 person
LOL….great point!
LikeLike
I’ve never seen this one BUT I did see The Day of the Triffids, over 50 years ago and all I can remember is plants that made a strange sound. Perhaps I’ll check Netflix for “Invasion…” 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you for reminding me of The Day of The Triffids. I had forgotten about it, but it is a film worth covering.
LikeLiked by 1 person
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’ve loved this version, not just because it was the original, but because it was told so well. Everything about this film clicked, and anything Kevin McCarthy was in was always great.
LikeLike
Yes, he was, and it is an excellent film.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I have to watch this movie. The title leaped across the page (oops, computer), because I remember. Yes, I was brought up in a segregated, conforming family, and community. I’ve often reflected on how anyone can learn and grow.
LikeLike
It is amazing that people can grow and learn despite their surroundings.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, it is. Thank goodness.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Seen this one!
And read the book too!
LikeLike
This is such an inspiring film, as are many of the early sci-fi films! I just love it:) Have a wonderful week! Sarah
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you! Have a wonderful week also!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Reblogged this on Still Another Writer's Blog.
LikeLike
Thank you for the reblogging!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Before Alien, the Pod People were the unquestioned champions of science fiction/horror with this film and its stunning remake from 1978. Both this version and its first remake are still among my favorites.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you for your very astute comment! I will be covering Alien at some point in the future.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Just gave this a re-watch to celebrate the upcoming Blu Ray of the 78 version. Still astounds me how effective this movie still is.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, it is an amazing movie.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Reblogged this on charles french words reading and writing and commented:
This is another of the posts in my series on science-fiction films that I wanted to reblog.
LikeLike
An amazing movie… in all of it’s reincarnations. Lol!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, it is!
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s very interesting to understand a movie in its time period. Great post. I really enjoyed it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Loved this post. My inner 8 year old is still scared of this movie. Big-Girl-Me owes her love of sci-fi to it. 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you!
LikeLike
I actually preferred this to the remake. So atmospheric. And, yes, thematically richer.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I agree with you!
LikeLiked by 1 person