My take: This film is full of classic science fiction scares. Even if you have seen later versions, this is still a good one to watch.
Rating: 3 out of 4 stars
I know that I’ve seen Invasion of the Body Snatchers before. I think I’d seen the one from the 70s or even the one with the shorter title “Body Snatchers” from 1993. So, I was a bit nervous about seeing an older version from the 1950s. But I was wrong. It still holds up and it is worth watching.
Miles and his busty love interest, Becky, flee the alien menace in Invasion of the Body Snatchers.
It does have a few odd features that remind me of a Twilight Zone episode:
- The story is told as a flashback
- The main character narrates over the flashback pointing out the mistakes he made and describing his feelings
- The main character also looks a bit like Rod Serling, with his slicked-back hair, suit and tie (see above)
But even with all of the 1950s stereotypes, it is a solid story that is full of good creepiness.
The story follows Miles, a doctor who returns home after a convention to find the town changed. While he was away, many patients called with urgent ailments that seem to have mysteriously stopped; everyone is suddenly healthy as can be. There are also a slew of townsfolk who believe that their loved ones and relatives are not themselves. A boy runs from his mother, yelling that she is not his mom. A young woman believes that her uncle is not himself because he is devoid of emotion.
The doctor slowly uncovers an alien plot to take over the planet and replace us all with clones. It’s a downright terrifying idea, that is done well even with the limited effects of the 50s. Even having seen later versions with stronger effects, this story still holds up and it is downright creepy to see the clone people developing.
For this reason, I would recommend the 1956 version of Invasion of the Body Snatchers to fans of monster movies, scary science fiction and classic horror.
I watched it online on this site. Here is the trailer on YouTube:
Leave a Reply