In an era where horror films exposed the menace early in the procedings and usually with a complete lack of subtlety, "Invasion of the Body Snatchers" proved different. This story unravels at a leisurely pace, and the viewer is prone to ambivalence: Is there a real terror, or is it really a "mass neurosis" as the town's psychiatrist suggests? First you see it, then you don't. You're not sure until the greenhouse scene, midway through the film. The conspiracy of the townfolk, the open acceptance of the alien life form, and the inability of Dr. Bennell and Becky to escape their destiny make for a truly terrifying film. I have a suspicion that the story was so powerful and the acting so believable that the producers felt it necessary to add the prologue and epilogue to leave the viewers with a sense of hope. Kudos to Mr. McCarthy for his believable portrayal of the small town doctor. Watch as his character's outlook evolves from disbelief to skepticism to amazement and, finally, to stone cold terror. His performance can only be described as brilliant. Who could ever forget the look in McCarthy's eyes when Dr. Bennell discovers that Becky (played by the exquisitely beautiful Dana Wynter) has become one of "them," a creature now bent on Bennell's destruction? The acting of the entire ensemble is flawless. Don Siegel's superb direction, Carmen Dragon's wonderfully haunting score, the list goes on and on. I'm so impressed with this movie that I'm willing to place it on my list of ten favorite movies of all time. Enjoy the movie, but don't look in the closet..... [There is one note of interest that I'd like to pass along: In the scene where the townfolk look for the lead characters into the cave, if you look closely you'll see the third guy step in between the floor boards (beneath which McCarthy and Wynter are hiding) and start to fall flat on his face. Siegel cuts the scene quickly to a view from below the boards up at the mob, but the cut doesn't come quite fast enough. I thought I'd like to share that with you.]

Don Siegel's Invasion of the Body Snatchers proves to be a classic of the science-fiction genre. Usually bored to death of sci-fi films, I quite enjoyed this film of pods taking over and transforming themselves into the citizens of Santa Mira, while they sleep, in the hopes of soon engulfing the entire world. Brilliantly acted by Kevin McCarthy in the role Miles Bennel, and Dana Wynter as Becky Driscoll, with a wonderful supporting cast, the film is easily believable. With Milt Rice in charge of special effects, the entire collaberation is a marvel for its time. Upon returning home from a trip, Miles finds the Santa Mira townspeople to be acting a bit unusual, but little does he know that one by one the townspeople are being taken over by pods from another world. Miles and Becky, Miles' girlfriend, attempt to warn the town and save the others, but it soon proves to be no easy feat for them to save themselves. The two drive, and then literally run, for their lives through the California hills. If they can make it to the highway and then to the neighboring town, perhaps they and the world can be saved. With impressive cinematography by Ellsworth Fredericks, notably the highway scene late in the film, and a striking musical score by Carmen Dragon, this film has quickly become one of my favorites. To occupy a place on the shelves amidst my usual favorites is not an easy thing for a film to do, especially for one that is science-fiction, but this brilliant sci-fi film, which hints a bit at McCarthyism, is a can't miss for any film lover.

This Black & White Scifi/Horror Cult Classic is still a very scarey movie to watch. This DVD is digitally restored and presented in a non-Anamorphic WideScreen Letterbox format. (This is presented with letterbox vertical & horizontal black bars & not enhanced for 16x9 Tvs). The picture quality is still excellent and the movie still delivers its disturbing message.

In Summary: a California town is mysteriously invaded by seed-pod cloning aliens. Our lead characters (Kevin McCarthy, Dana Wynter and Carolyn Jones)discover these pods and how they are taking over their town, friends & family members. They try to seek assistance to stop this alien take over but are also being pursued by them. They discover that the pods are secretly placed near the victim. Slowly a clone of the victim matures within the pod & becomes fully mature when the victim falls asleep. The key is to escape and remain awake! As the days go by sleep seem inevitable. What happens to our characters? Does the world find out, before it is to late? This is a nail biting, nerve racking story and it is indeed a cult 1950's classic scifi film.

This is one of my favorite scifi/horror movies of the 1950's. "Invasion of the Body Snatchers" has been remade twice but the 1956 movie is the original & the best both in acting & thrills!

The Extra Features include an original trailer and an interview with Kevin McCarhty. Again the picture quality & sound are excellent.

So if you want a good scarey taste of cult classic history get a bowl of popcorn pull up a seat in the dark and watch "Invasion of the Body Snatchers". Enjoy.