| Invasion of the Body Snatchers | 
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Avg. Customer Rating:   (based on 118 reviews)
Sales Rank: 4026
Category: DVD
Actors: Kevin Mccarthy, Dana Wynter, Larry Gates, King Donovan, Carolyn Jones
Director: Don Siegel
Publisher: Republic Pictures
Studio: Republic Pictures
Manufacturer: Republic Pictures
Label: Republic Pictures
Format: Black & White, Closed-captioned, Dolby, Dvd-video, Full Screen, Letterboxed, Widescreen, Ntsc
Languages: English (Original Language), Spanish (Original Language), Spanish (Subtitled), French (Subtitled), Italian (Dubbed)
Rating: Unrated
Media: DVD
Running Time: 80 minutes
Number Of Items: 1
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
Release Date: July 1, 1998
Theatrical Release Date: February 5, 1956
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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Amazon.com essential video
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! --Jeff Shannon
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| Customer Reviews: Read 113 more reviews...
 invasion December 2, 2008
i love these 50s horror classics, as i call them...the dvd is in great shape, arrived quickly
One of the all time greats November 27, 2008
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
Invasion of the Body Snatchers is one of my all time favorite Horror, Sci-Fi pictures of all time and one of the best of the genre from the 50s. I just love the concept of the movie and everything here works to near perfection. While not as scary or suspenseful today as it once was, Invasion of the Body Snatchers actually holds up rather well and while dated in spots again holds up rather well overall.
The screenplay by Daniel Mainwarning is rock solid with a great bunch of characters; I really liked all the characters and the two leads were excellent. The script has some good light moments and delivers with the chills.
Director Don Siegel who's done such classics as Dirty Harry and The Shootist delivers another classic here. His scenes are well paced and at times chilling. While there are some moments that are a bit slow but never boring. Siegel creates some excellent atmosphere and tension right off the bat and is mostly able to sustain that through out the picture with the exception of a scene or two.
Kevin McCarthy plays Dr. Miles Bennell and is one of my all time favorite characters. McCarthy is brilliant and brings a lot of depth to the character and is a hero you can totally root for. Dana Wynter as Becky Driscoll is excellent as the love interest. Both these characters are two of my favorite film characters of all time.
Invasion of the Body Snatchers would be remade 3 times; first in 1978 under the same title than in 93 as Body Snatchers and again in 2007 as The Invasion. Of all the versions I'd say the 78 remake was the best. As great as the original is the remake is one of the few times a remake expands slightly on the original. While the 56 version is loaded with suspense and tension, the remake actually ups the ante on that and really expands on the concept. But I would still highly recommend the original since it really is just as good.
Invasion of the Body Snatchers is of course based on the popular novel of the same name written by Jack Finney. While the novel is excellent the movie expands on the concept and makes it a bit better. This is probably the best Horror, Sci-Fi movie of the 1950s, which produced many classics. In general a lot of 50s horror is now a bit campy and I mean that in a good way. While there are some campy moments here it mostly works on a very serious level.
The final moments of the movie are pure brilliance with Miles running down the highway shouting they're here, they're here; you're next! It's actually quite chilling.
Like I stated earlier I just love the concept for this movie and I'll admit I have enjoyed all 4 film versions as well as the novel. While I would give the edge to the 78 version, the original is still a masterpiece of filmmaking and one of my all time favorites. I'd highly recommend doing a double feature with the 56 & 78 versions for a great and chilling night.
Nightmare on Planet Earth November 8, 2008
Fete of Death
At or, at least, near the top of the list of the scariest movies I have ever seen, this is the first and by far the best version of "Invasion of the Body Snatchers." Don Siegel's direction is sparse and pulls no punches. It is aided by a tense score, but it's the story more than anything else that stands out in this film.
Paranoia is rampant throughout this terrifying sci-fi tale. The scariest scene occurs when Kevin McCarthy and Dana Wynter, who are the only two humans left in Santa Mira, flee the pod people and take refuge in an abandoned mine just outside of town. Hidden under some wooden planks that cover a trench that they are lying in, McCarthy and Wynter successfully evade their pursuers. Later, after the pod people have left the cave, McCarthy relaxes with relief for the first time since his nightmare began, languidly kisses Wynter, and, to his horror, realizes the true nature of his predicament. The look on his face tells it all.
Rife with paranoia and existential alienation, "Body Snatchers" is a classic tale of one man's fight against the overwhelming forces of an invading army bent on destroying him, bent on destroying any and all who are different than them. In short, this movie is as good as it gets.
--Bryan Cassiday, author of "Fete of Death"
Aint Nuthin Like the Real Thing October 21, 2008
After countless remakes, you just have to give it to the original. No grand special effects, just pure creepiness and paranoia. The 1950's were a time when family values and conformity were standard so what could be more perfect than everyone thinking exactly the same? Be sure and watch the interview with Kevin McCarthy and then after the movie look around you. Has your usually hysterical friend been a lot calmer than usual, do you wonder if it's really them?
 Invasion of the body snatchers October 8, 2008
Why doesn't hollywood make good old fashion horror movies like this anymore, without the blood and guts.
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