Invasion of the Body Snatchers Movie Review

Based on Jack Finney's novel, the definitive take on ‘50s American paranoia and conformity is still one of the most frightening sf movies ever made, a chilling exercise in nightmare dislocation. The infamous “pod people” are just like you and me…only they're not. Everything about the film works right from the small town setting of Santa Mira to the flawless acting and the tight script. Director Donald Siegel's solid craftsmanship was seldom applied to a better story. Yes, that's Sam Peckinpah as the meter reader in the cellar. He also worked on the screenplay. The laserdisc version contains commentary by Maurice Yacowar, the text of an interview with Siegel, and the original theatrical trailer. The film itself is presented in its original widescreen format. Remade twice to date.

1956 80m/B Kevin McCarthy, Dana Wynter, Carolyn Jones, King Donovan, Donald Siegel, Larry Gates, Jean Willes, Whit Bissell; Cameos: Sam Peckinpah; D: Donald Siegel; W: Sam Peckinpah, Daniel Mainwaring; C: Ellsworth Fredericks. VHS, LV REP, CRC, MLB