Very well executed

Thanks for the memories!

There is, somehow, an interesting story here, as well as some good acting. There are also some good scenes

Although I seem to have had higher expectations than I thought, the movie is super entertaining.

Back to the roots of cinema, i'm surprised to discover that those old movies stay as good still today: sure it says also that today cinema goes down for quality and moviegoer experience but here we have a nearly perfect movie: a really intelligent story in a remarkable setting with an outstanding cast, everything tied with a inspired director and in 80 minutes!This space invasion with green pods is a brilliant idea that modernizes the vampire subject with stunning visuals: this pods - eggs would inspire later Alien, Gremlins and this silent, soft takeover looks like the future Salem novel from Stephen King. The movie really pinches a good nerve because this paranoia was real in those cold war years and later, as a child, i was totally terrified to be taken away at night, with family that turns to be enemy! This fictitious town of Santa Mira is the idyllic small town, America between Smallville and Twin Peaks. But it's also a incredible slice of the American way of life because at that time, 1956, everything looks shining, new, modern and really cozy...The late McCarthy was just really good and i understand why Joe Dante appreciated him: His girlfriend Dana Wynter is much more than the poor screaming woman and is the proof that old fashion was not outrageous nor too much closeted!At the end, with today eyes, you feel that this movie reunites a lot of ideas, moments that would be used and abused long after. So instead of always going to the stupid, soulless reboots, prefer come back to the original source!

"Invasion of the Body Snatchers" needs no introduction. It's status as a masterpiece of Science Fiction had long been assured. It has been intelligently handled in all departments. Every scene adds a good deal to the film and not a single minute is wasted. Don Siegel was certainly a maverick director who didn't tolerate any studio interference with any of his films. Unfortunately though, "Allied Artists" insisted that the director include a prologue and an epilogue after they thought the film slightly too grim. Personally, I think the added scenes add to the tension until it reaches snapping point. In addition, the leading actor, Kevin McCarthy recorded a separate voice over in explaining the chain of events. The film works very well in that it wisely avoids including any silly monsters with bald heads or black eyes into the screenplay. The script is considerably more intelligent and subtle than that. Coupled with fine acting and direction, the film conveys plenty of suspense and shock scenes by the very limited use of basic special effects and some clever photography. It is as if a nameless horror has began invading the small town of the film. The 1978 remake is a pretty good one - that version having more luxury in the way of time and money. Watch the 1956 version and enjoy!

This movie is one of the most ringing endorsements of the term "better dead than red" I've ever seen.The theme is that our uniqueness, including our flaws, is the most precious thing. We should fight absorption by any collective with last ounce of strength, regardless of how hopeless it may seem.A lot has been made of the studio forcing insertion of some softening effects. And I agree that this is problematic. But it doesn't ruin the movie, it's still a must see. The word paranoia is used a lot in describing Snatchers but from my perspective I saw no paranoia displayed or inferred. The movie almost screams that threat is REAL and that perhaps the greatest danger we face is our denial of the meaning of the evidence right in front of our eyes.

Jack Finney's serialized novel came to the screen for the first time with this extremely memorable sci-fi thriller. It exploits the paranoia of the Cold War era for full effect, offering up an intelligent exploration of what it means to be human. The themes of falling victim to mindless conformity, and the loss of individuality and identity, still resonate 60 years later. Directed with maximum efficiency by Don Siegel, who at this time hadn't yet graduated to big budget, A pictures, it has a wonderfully stark atmosphere, and an intense, breakneck pace. It can also appeal to more modern genre fans due to some nice "eww" moments and decent special effects. It's all heightened by the excellent black & white SuperScope photography by Ellsworth Fredericks and ominous music by Carmen Dragon.Kevin McCarthy stars as Dr. Miles Bennell, returning home to the small town of Santa Mira in time to experience a mass hysteria. Citizens are concerned that their friends & family are no longer recognizable as the people they love; that they now lack human emotion. Hooking up with the lovely Becky Driscoll (Dana Wynter), Miles must race against time to stop this "disease" from spreading."Invasion of the Body Snatchers" is a wonderfully sensational title, and the film delivers on its promise of good, old fashioned genre entertainment. It's cast with fine actors and actresses from top to bottom: Larry Gates as a psychiatrist, King Donovan and Carolyn Jones as Miles' friends the Belicecs, Jean Willes as Miles' nurse Sally, Ralph Dumke as the police chief, Virginia Christine as Becky's friend Wilma, and Dabbs Greer as Mac the service station proprietor. Keep your eyes peeled for future director Sam Peckinpah, who plays Charlie the meter reader.The studio-imposed prologue and epilogue with Whit Bissell and Richard Deacon is the only real drawback, diminishing the effectiveness of what would have been a pretty chilling conclusion.Nine out of 10.