| Invasion of the Body Snatchers | 
 enlarge | Director: Don Siegel
Actors: Kevin Mccarthy, Dana Wynter, Larry Gates, King Donovan, Carolyn Jones
Studio: Republic Pictures
Category: DVD
List Price: $14.98
Buy New: $7.84
You Save: $7.14 (48%)
New (32) Used (19) Collectible (2) from $5.00
Avg. Customer Rating:  112 reviews
Sales Rank: 2007
Format: Black & White, Closed-captioned, Dolby, Dvd-video, Full Screen, Letterboxed, Widescreen, Ntsc
Languages: English (Original Language), Spanish (Original Language), French (Subtitled), Spanish (Subtitled), Italian (Dubbed)
Rating: Unrated
Number Of Items: 1
Running Time: 80
Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
DVD Layers: 1
DVD Sides: 2
Picture Format: Array
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.2
Dimensions (in): 7.4 x 4.7 x 0.6
MPN: 52018
ISBN: 0782009980
UPC: 017153201826
EAN: 9780782009989
ASIN: 0782009980
Theatrical Release Date: February 5, 1956
Release Date: July 1, 1998
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Condition: New, same cover as shown, Factory Sealed, Widescreen, Region 1, B &W, Kevin McCarthy, Dana Wynter, Artisan Release, no wear on case, no orders to Brazil.
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| Editorial Reviews:
Amazon.com
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 characterized 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 serialized 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! The DVD release includes an interview with Kevin McCarthy, and for the first time on home video the film is presented in its original 2.35:1 widescreen aspect ratio. --Jeff Shannon
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| Customer Reviews: Read 107 more reviews...
 great example of Cold War culture in 1950s America August 29, 2008
What made this grade-B science fiction movie a hit in the 1950s? It resonated with deep Cold War fears. I show this movie in my college-level U.S. History classes to shed light on the Eisenhower Era's "Cold War ethos." Americans who feared communist subversives (who were impersonating good Americans) were primed to be scared by aliens who would impersonate humans.
 We are not who we are June 7, 2008
3 out of 3 found this review helpful
Body Snatchers is good old fashioned B-Movie hokum that gives more bang for its buck than expected. It was an instant classic hit more than just a popcorn fodder monster flick. What make Body Snatchers work is that it is powerfully psychological. There are no makeup effects or monsters but just people like you or me who are not what they seem. This is an amazingly effectively ploy that creates edge of your seat paranoia and hyper tension throughout. It is high concept paying off in aces.
Dr Miles Bennell finds people in his town coming to his practice complaining that friends and relatives are not what they are. Eventually his scepticism turns to fear and he uncovers a horrible truth that the town is being taken over by aliens that can mimic humans. It is also directed by the man who brought us Dirty Harry, Don Siegal.
Still powerful May 26, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
Saw the film when it came out, at the Wellston Theatre in St. Louis. Saw it many times on T.V. Seeing it anew I realized how really top-rate the script, casting, acting, direction, score and cinematography are. There is not a mis-step and there is some amazing camera work. Look at the scene when the townspeople are heading for the mine; I think what we are seeing first is animation, then the townspeople come into focus. The 1950s are captured PERFECLY here and this was made DURING the era! Having been a teenager in the 1950s I can tell you that what you are seeing is not an exaggeration and not a parody. That is exactly how life and people were. Some of us knew something was wrong, or that we didn't fit in as hard as we tried, or that something was missing (always searching for real feelings and real depth from people but it just wasn't there), but we couldn't articulate it. Plus the '50s were a GREAT time to be growing up--simple, predictable, clean, family-oriented and for teens focused on true friendships, a wonderful school life, home and church. The '60s and '70s proved a terrible shock yet a relief too. The film is wonderful and watchable over and over. You'll never see better acting!
great movie April 30, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
This movie is brilliant. The story goes along quickly and the acting is absolutely great. And unlike the remake of the 1970s, it has closure and hope to stop it. Now granted, it was more pure than the remake, it still had suspense. Overall, a brilliant movie and a must see for anyone who loves classics in this genre.
The body snaggers, they'll snag your body..... March 22, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
I recently purchased 4 versions of this film adaptation of the magazine serial by Jack Finney. I enjoyed all 4 but this original with Kevin McCarthy and Dana Wynter edged out the others by quite a margin. The basic premise is that alien pods land on earth and grow a replica of "you" while you sleep. What horror can be more intense than being afraid to fall asleep - and get your body snatched right there out of your safe comfy bed? This movie creeped me out when I was a kid - I was scared to fall asleep for fear of being "snagged". It still gives me a chill when I notice something big and odd growing in the garden....bg
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