Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1956)

 Don Siegel's "Invasion of the Body Snatchers"


There is a bit of a debate about what exactly the subtext is behind Don Siegel's 1956 classic horror film "Invasion of the Body Snatchers." Judging by the time period it was released and its subject matter, there are a few interpretations to contend with. Regardless of the interpretation, the film has managed to hang on to a cult status in the genre of horror/thriller, even being remade in 1978.

The film centers on an extraterrestrial invasion in the small fictional town of Santa Mira, California. A local doctor begins to notice that many of the town inhabitants are starting to act strange. Upon further investigation, it is revealed that alien plant spores are duplicating human beings with identical copies. These copies act as one, homogenous mind that is hellbent on converting all human life on the planet. 

The film was released during the McCarthyism of the 1950s and many people connect the film's themes of conformity to the bland conformity to a post-war Eisenhower America. On the flipside, others believe that the film to be an allegory for Communism slowly infiltrating the American perspective. The film's central focus on the characters' loss of individualism in favor of a collectivized force very much resembles anti-Communist propaganda. Both perspectives on the film are on completely opposite ends of the spectrum, so depending on what viewpoint you take with the film, its context becomes entirely different.

Regardless of what themes you apply to the film, it is safe to say that it had an enormous impact on the horror genre since its release. For me personally, I found "Invasion of the Body Snatchers" to be quite a thrill ride. It reminded me of old episodes of "The Twilight Zone." I quite enjoy the eerie mystery aspect that emerges in the film's first half. The subtle 'something is off' vibe always draws me right in. When the film finally breaks open and its characters are completely aware of the full scope of everything, I wasn't as particularly enthused or engaged. However, it still is worth the viewing in any case.




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