We are not who we are
Body Snatchers is good old fashioned B-Movie hokum that gives more bang for its buck than expected. It was an instant classic hit more than just a popcorn fodder monster flick. What make Body Snatchers work is that it is powerfully psychological. There are no makeup effects or monsters but just people like you or me who are not what they seem. This is an amazingly effectively ploy that creates edge of your seat paranoia and hyper tension throughout. It is high concept paying off in aces.

Dr Miles Bennell finds people in his town coming to his practice complaining that friends and relatives are not what they are. Eventually his scepticism turns to fear and he uncovers a horrible truth that the town is being taken over by aliens that can mimic humans. It is also directed by the man who brought us Dirty Harry, Don Siegal.

Still powerful
Saw the film when it came out, at the Wellston Theatre in St. Louis. Saw it many times on T.V. Seeing it anew I realized how really top-rate the script, casting, acting, direction, score and cinematography are. There is not a mis-step and there is some amazing camera work. Look at the scene when the townspeople are heading for the mine; I think what we are seeing first is animation, then the townspeople come into focus. The 1950s are captured PERFECLY here and this was made DURING the era! Having been a teenager in the 1950s I can tell you that what you are seeing is not an exaggeration and not a parody. That is exactly how life and people were. Some of us knew something was wrong, or that we didn't fit in as hard as we tried, or that something was missing (always searching for real feelings and real depth from people but it just wasn't there), but we couldn't articulate it. Plus the '50s were a GREAT time to be growing up--simple, predictable, clean, family-oriented and for teens focused on true friendships, a wonderful school life, home and church. The '60s and '70s proved a terrible shock yet a relief too. The film is wonderful and watchable over and over. You'll never see better acting!

great movie
This movie is brilliant. The story goes along quickly and the acting is absolutely great. And unlike the remake of the 1970s, it has closure and hope to stop it. Now granted, it was more pure than the remake, it still had suspense. Overall, a brilliant movie and a must see for anyone who loves classics in this genre.

The body snaggers, they'll snag your body.....
I recently purchased 4 versions of this film adaptation of the magazine serial by Jack Finney. I enjoyed all 4 buy this original with Kevin McCarthy and Dana Wynter edged out the others by quite a margin. The basic premise is that alien pods land on earth and grow a replica of "you" while you sleep. What horror can be more intense than being afraid to fall asleep - and get your body snatched right there out of your safe comfy bed? This movie creeped me out when I was a kid - I was scared to fall asleep for fear of being "snagged". It still gives me a chill when I notice something big and odd growing in the garden....bg

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