Invasion of the Body Snatchers

1956
PG
1h 20m

IMDb RATING

7.7/10

57K

YOUR RATING

Kevin McCarthy and Dana Wynter in Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1956)

Theatrical Trailer from Republic Pictures

Play trailer2:20

2 Videos

76 Photos

Alien Invasion Body Horror Drama Horror Sci-Fi

A small-town doctor learns that the population of his community is being replaced by emotionless alien duplicates.A small-town doctor learns that the population of his community is being replaced by emotionless alien duplicates.A small-town doctor learns that the population of his community is being replaced by emotionless alien duplicates.

See production info at IMDbPro

IMDb RATING

7.7/10

57K

YOUR RATING

See production info at IMDbPro

Awards
- 2 wins & 1 nomination

Videos2

Trailer 2:20

Invasion of the Body Snatchers

Featurette 2:49

Joe Dante on Invasion of the Body Snatchers

Featurette 2:49

Joe Dante on Invasion of the Body Snatchers

Photos76

+ 70

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Storyline

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Did you know

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Trivia
Production designer Ted Haworth came up with a fairly simple and inexpensive (about $30,000 total) idea for creating the pods. The most difficult part was when the pods burst open, revealing the likenesses of the actors. The actors had to have naked impressions of themselves made out of thin, skin-tight latex. Making the casts, which involved being submerged in the very hot casting material with only a straw in their mouths to breathe through, was grueling for the actors, especially Carolyn Jones, who was claustrophobic. Dana Wynter recalled, "I was in this thing while it hardened, and of course it got rather warm! I was breathing through straws or something quite bizarre, and the rest of me was encased, it was like a sarcophagus. The guys who were making it tapped on the back of the thing and said, 'Dana, listen, we won't be long, we're just off for lunch [laughs]!' In the end, we had to be covered except for just the nostrils and I think a little aperture for the mouth."

Goofs
(at around 20 mins) When Dr. Bennell is shown the body on the pool table he never bothers to ask where it came from or why it is there. One would think that would be the first question.

Quotes
Dr. Miles J. Bennell: They're here already! You're next! You're next, You're next...!

Crazy credits
THE END comes up on the final shot of the film of Miles looking relieved that Dr Hill has believed his story, and is calling the FBI about the alien invasion of Santa Mira.

Alternate versions
Originally released at 80 minutes; reissued in 1979 at 76 minutes, deleting the studio-imposed prologue and epilogue starring Whit Bissel and Richard Deacon.

Connections
Edited into The Giant Claw (1957)

User reviews316

Review

Featured review

9/10

They're here already! You're next! You're next, You're next...

Body Snatchers is a true anomaly in the cinematic world. It has been remade twice, and all three films are essentially adaptations of a novel by Jack Finney. And despite the often terrible nature of remakes, both the 1978 AND 1993 versions are considered to be just as good as this one. I am looking back at these films in light of the 4th Body Snatchers that is coming out this summer with Nicole Kidman (The Hours) and Daniel Craig (Casino Royale).

Invasion of the body snatchers is generally considered a political film as well as sci fi. It is a reflection of the McCarthy area (recently shown in Good Night, and Good Luck), and cold-war hysteria.

Kevin McCarthy (Death of a Salesman) and Dana Wynter were great and there was good chemistry between them.

The film did not need special effects or gore. It built up it's terror with slow suspense, a sense of impending doom, and an atmosphere that was enhanced by the superb musical score.

This is definitive sci fi and one of the best movies of the 50's.