A number of Dr. Miles Bennell’s patients seem to be suffering the same paranoid delusion; that their family and friends are imposters. It seems fantastic until Bennell notices that these emotionless ‘imposters’ have gaps in knowledge of their own lives. It has had many impersonators, but this is the daddy of all small town in a panic story lines.
In its own right, this is a tightly scripted and intensely suspenseful film. The small-town paranoia around who to trust is palpable and the suspense and horror of what is going on is expertly built to a crescendo. No minutes are wasted with the whole thing running at just 1 hour 20 minutes. This is one of the best 1950s Sci-fi films out there and there is no need to read the next paragraph to enjoy this great piece of film-making.
However, what makes this movie leap out is its production year, 1956. This was the height of the Cold War and every American was being told by its government that a communist could be lying in wait for them under every bed or in every closet. It was into this national, collective anxiety that Don Siegal launched his drama based on Jack Finney’s 1954 novel. Some saw the film as an allegory for the lack of personal choice in the Soviet Union. Others as a warning to America against ignoring McCarthyism, the government-backed practice of making unfounded accusations against US citizens on the basis of supposed involvement in communism, socialism or anarchism. That’s a lot of ‘isms’ but essentially, the good ole US of A was a scary place to live and many Americans were as fearful of their own government as they were of anything potentially coming out of Russia.
Invasion of the Body Snatchers is a tremendous example of just how valuable films can be. They make important social comment; lifting the lid and pointing the finger at the wrongs of the time. Decades later, they can continue to alert us to the dangers of repeating the mistakes of previous generations.
Certificate: PG
1 hour 20 min
YOUTUBE (free) / PRIME
Director: Don Siegal
Cast: Kevin McCarthy, Dana Wyn
