Invasion of the Body Snatchers
The seed is planted... terror grows.
Overview
The residents of San Francisco are becoming drone-like shadows of their former selves, and as the phenomenon spreads, two Department of Health workers uncover the horrifying truth.
Backdrop
What makes this movie Worth Watching
Invasion of the Body Snatchers was released during the height of Cold War tensions and serves as a metaphor for the fear of communist infiltration in American society. The pod people, who replicate humans without emotions or individuality, can be seen as a representation of the perceived threat of Soviet influence.
- The movie is a classic example of science fiction horror, with its suspenseful and eerie atmosphere that keeps viewers on the edge of their seats.
- The film offers a thought-provoking commentary on the fear of communism and McCarthyism during the Cold War era, making it a must-watch for those interested in political themes.
- Its stellar cast, led by Donald Sutherland, Brooke Adams, and Jeff Goldblum, delivers compelling performances that add depth to the film.
- The psychological horror element, as characters gradually lose their identity and individuality, resonates with modern audiences.
Fun Facts
- The movie was initially rejected by several studios due to its dark and controversial themes before being picked up by Allied Artists.
- There's an unconfirmed rumor that Steven Spielberg's first film, Firelight (1964), was inspired by Invasion of the Body Snatchers, as he worked as a production assistant during its shooting.
- In the original 1956 version of the movie, the pod people were portrayed as plants with roots, but in this remake, they are more human-like, adding to the film's unsettling effect.
Available Languages
English
US
Title:
"The seed is planted... terror grows."
Deutsch
DE
Title: Die Körperfresser kommen
"Mikroorganismen greifen nach der Weltherrschaft"
Français
FR
Title: L'Invasion des profanateurs
"La graine est semée… l'apocalypse est pour demain !"
Italiano
IT
Title: Terrore dallo spazio profondo
"È dallo spazio più profondo che arriva il vero terrore..."
Português
PT
Title: A Invasão dos Violadores
""
Español
ES
Title: La invasión de los ultracuerpos
"Dormir... Dormir... y nacer de nuevo en un mundo sin miedo y odio."
Where to Watch
Cast
Crew
Reviews
Still one of the best alien invasion movies that exists. The newer ones tend to be about how many guns and explosions are needed to defeat the invaders, this one is a little different and has a strong cast and many moments of suspense that keep you interested. The dialog is perhaps weak in places and some areas do tend to drag at the start of the movie but thats all overcome later by the convincing characters and ever intriguing plot. It starts slow paced and almost doesn't give you enough information to work out exactly whats going on leaving it up to your paranoia and imagination to fill the void, this begins to change the movie into more of a horror with a scifi plot. The totally unforgettable ending will send chills down your spine and is one of the best cinematic endings I have ever seen. If you're all alone, at midnight and in the dark then stick it on but don't fall asleep...
When San Francisco is invaded by pod-people
RELEASED IN 1978 and directed by Philip Kaufman, "Invasion of the Body Snatchers" stars Donald Sutherland and Brooke Adams as friends, Matthew and Elizabeth, who work at the Health Department in San Francisco. They increasingly suspect that people are somehow being duplicated and trace the problem to alien plant pods. Leonard Nimoy plays Matthew’s pop psychologist friend while Jeff Goldblum & Veronica Cartwright are on hand as a couple who run a mudbath parlour.
This could be viewed as a sequel rather than a remake. The entries in the series are as follows: "Invasion of the Body Snatchers" (1956); "Invasion of the Body Snatchers" (1978); "Body Snatchers" (1993); and "The Invasion" (2007).
The first one is in Black & White and is probably too dated and tame for most modern viewers, but it's still worthwhile; it takes place in small town, California. This 1978 sequel switches the setting to the big city. The 1993 movie shifts to an army base in the deep south while the 2007 version switches back to the big city of Washington DC.
This rendition has a peculiar tone with a lot of the events taking place at night. There’s a subdued eerie and dreary air with paranoia morphing into conspiratorial and then ghastly reality. The 70’s atmosphere and cast are highlights, as is the score with its unnerving pieces. Brooke Adam’s has exquisitely sculptured facial features (eyes, nose, lips, teeth, chin, cheeks and forehead). The creepy pod-birthing sequence in the garden is cogently done.
THE MOVIE RUNS 1 hour, 55 minutes and was shot in San Francisco. WRITER: W.D. Richter.
GRADE: B
Oscar Awards
Wins
Haven't Won A Oscar
Nominations
Haven't Nominated for Oscar
Media
Featurette
Unboxing
Trailer
Arrow Teaser
Clip
It Is Not Human