Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1956)

97% of critics liked it
(39 reviews)
82% of users liked it
(16,779 ratings)

Don Siegel's classic exercise in psychological science fiction has often been interpreted as a cautionary fable about the blacklisting hysteria of the McCarthy era. It can be read as a political metaphor or enjoyed as a fine low-budget suspense movie, and it works well either way. Kevin McCarthy… More Don Siegel's classic exercise in psychological science fiction has often been interpreted as a cautionary fable about the blacklisting hysteria of the McCarthy era. It can be read as a political metaphor or enjoyed as a fine low-budget suspense movie, and it works well either way. Kevin McCarthy stars as Miles Bennel, a doctor in the small California community of Santa Mira, where several patients begin reporting that their loved ones don't seem to be themselves lately. They look the same but seem cold, emotionally distant, and somehow unfamiliar. The longer Miles looks into these reports, the more stock he places in them, and in time he makes a shocking discovery: aliens from another world are taking over Santa Mira, one citizen at a time. Emissaries from a distant planet have sent massive seed pods containing creatures that can assume the exact physical likeness of anyone they choose. When Santa Mirans go to sleep, the pod creatures take on the shape of their victims and then destroy their bodies. The aliens may look the same, but they possess no human emotions and, like plants, are concerned only with propagating themselves and eventually subsuming the earth. Needless to say, Miles and his friends are terrified, but since it's hard to tell who's a person and who's a pod, they're at a loss for what to do, especially when it seems that there are increasingly more aliens than humans. Invasion of the Body Snatchers builds tension slowly and steadily, dealing not in the shock of bug-eyed monsters common to other 1950s science-fiction movies but in the unnerving possibility that the enemy is among us -- and impossible to tell from our allies. The ultra-paranoid conclusion of Siegel's original cut was softened by Allied Artists, who added a framing device that suggested help was on the way. This coda was as effective in blunting the film's grim conclusion as giving a Band-Aid to a beheading victim; few films of the era make it more painfully clear that for these people (and maybe for ourselves), there's no turning back and no way home. Keep an eye peeled for a bit part by soon-to-be-legendary Western director Sam Peckinpah, who plays a meter reader and also (uncredited) helped write the screenplay. Based on a novel by Jack Finney, Invasion of the Body Snatchers was remade in 1978 by Philip Kaufman and in 1993 by Abel Ferrara (as Body Snatchers); and its influence can be felt from The Stepford Wives (1975) to The X-Files. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

Play Trailer

Rating, Runtime: PG, 1 hr. 20 min.
Directed By: Don Siegel
Written By: Geoffrey Homes
Genres: Mystery & Suspense, Classics, Science Fiction & Fantasy

In Theaters: Jan 1, 1956 Wide
On DVD: Jun 26, 1998
Studio: Republic Pictures Home Video

Critic Reviews

Joe Morgenstern, Wall Street Journal
Few modern-day movies are more genuinely frightening.
Variety Staff, Variety
This tense, offbeat piece of science-fiction is occasionally difficult to follow due to the strangeness of its scientific premise. Action nevertheless is increasingly exciting.
Don Druker, Chicago Reader
Don Siegel's superb little effort, with its matter-of-fact isolation of hero Kevin McCarthy (ironic, no?) from the smarmy complacency of a small town gone to hell -- and way beyond -- points the way to his gripping action films of the 60s and 70s.
Rob Humanick, Suite101.com
Among the most thrilling cliffhangers in all of cinema.
Charles Cassady, Common Sense Media
Talky, tame original sci-fi study in paranoia.
Ian Berriman, SFX Magazine
Vastly superior to every knockoff, better than the '70s remake, this is probably the best science fiction film of the '50s and one of the greatest SF movies of all time.
, Film4
Arguably the greatest ever B-movie.
Cole Smithey, Daily Radar
Hitchcock couldn't have done a better job of ramping up the suspense in a horror film that is as much fun today as when it shocked audiences in the '50s.
Steve Biodrowski, ESplatter
The film's portrait of human beings gradually assimilated by an alien invasion of emotionless duplicates creates a profoundly disturbing sense of paranoia.
Tim Brayton, Antagony & Ecstasy
One of the very best sci-fi/horror pictures of one of that genre's best decades.
Philip Martin, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
what if the mask of your neighbor tilts for a second and you catch a glimpse of the riot going on behind his face?
Ian Nathan, Empire Magazine
A 50s horror classic that remains a gem of allegorical paranoia.
, TV Guide's Movie Guide
A superbly crafted film by innovative director Siegel, this low-budget science fiction tale became one of the great cult classics of the genre.
Michael A. Smith, Nolan's Pop Culture Review
An all time classic. The "message" was lost on most original viewers.
Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com
The first--and still best--version of the Cold War sci-fi, despite compromised ending that was imposed by producer Walter Wanger on the director to make the tale less downbeat and anarchic.
Marty Mapes, Movie Habit
Some genuinely creepy moments and good social commentary raise this horror film
Geoff Andrew, Time Out
It's still a chilling picture, gaining over Phil Kaufman's smart remake by virtue of its intimate small town setting, and it has one of the greatest endings ever filmed.
Cole Smithey, ColeSmithey.com
Siegel's brilliant movie sits as a perfect bookend to Romero's "Night Of The Living Dead."
Pablo Villaca, Cinema em Cena
Tenso e bem construído, conta com uma ótima trilha sonora, a direção expressiva de Siegel e com um roteiro que pode ser lido como uma alegoria clara do mccarthismo.

Read all 19 critic reviews

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Featured Audience Ratings

Alexander D

Although there appears to be a debate about the topic, I feel positive that INVASION OF THE BODY SNATCHERS is the umpteenth fable with an underlying allusion to the McCarthy Era. Was it intended for such a film's key actor to bear the same last name as possibly the most… More
Although there appears to be a debate about the topic, I feel positive that INVASION OF THE BODY SNATCHERS is the umpteenth fable with an underlying allusion to the McCarthy Era. Was it intended for such a film's key actor to bear the same last name as possibly the most significant politician during the Cold War, or was it pure coincidence? Thankfully, INVASION ends up with something more to offer than a Cold War subtext. Regardless of its low production budget, its familiar music and decent performing keep the viewer mentally awake for the suspense, at which point both aspects come to life in an unusual but thrilling fashion.
Graham J

This sci-fi classic is still packs a punch, though in my opinion, the 1978 remake takes this basic story and turns it into a much more frightening experience.
Chris W

Filled with tension, suspense, paranoia, and Cold War subtext, this film is one of the high water marks of the 1950s sci-fi horror/thrillers. The story's been done a ridiculous amount of times since (some reteelings good, some not), but that doesn't take away from the… More
Filled with tension, suspense, paranoia, and Cold War subtext, this film is one of the high water marks of the 1950s sci-fi horror/thrillers. The story's been done a ridiculous amount of times since (some reteelings good, some not), but that doesn't take away from the enjoyment this film has to offer. Fun stuff all around.
Brad W

A classic horror, this movie still gives me the chills.
Ken S

Probably the best example of what 50's sci fi can be at it's best. Suspenseful, scary and smart.
Lewis C

"Why don't you go in, Miles, we've been waiting for you." Invasion of the Body Snatchers started off as somewhat of a slow burn, but ended up being a sinister and suspenseful thriller. The story has been redone and revised several times in the years since the… More
"Why don't you go in, Miles, we've been waiting for you." Invasion of the Body Snatchers started off as somewhat of a slow burn, but ended up being a sinister and suspenseful thriller. The story has been redone and revised several times in the years since the original novel this movie is based on was written: an unknown alien plant species has landed on earth, and replaces people as they sleep with perfect copies. Perfect, except for their complete loss of what makes them human, their emotions and souls. The main characters are a doctor and his lady friend (played by Kevin McCarthy and Dana Wynter) who slowly come to understand the nature of the threat, and spend the latter part of the movie trying to stay awake and find some way, any way, out of their seemingly inevitable fate and come up with some means to keep the invasion from spreading from their California town to the world beyond. Body Snatchers is all about paranoia and the fear of a threat that can't be comprehended, and it pulls those themes off pretty well. Besides the somewhat slow start, and a few nagging questions that never get answered (like, what happens to people's original bodies?), and the altered ending (I think if the movie would have ended at the point where it was originally supposed to, it would have had much more of an impact on the viewer), Invasion of the Body Snatchers didn't leave me with a lot to complain about.
AJ V

This is the original Body Snatchers movie (original sci-fi body snatchers movie, that is, not to be confused with the horror movies), and I think it's always best to see the original movie. This movie is really good, and I highly recommend it. It's sort of a sci-fi/horror… More
This is the original Body Snatchers movie (original sci-fi body snatchers movie, that is, not to be confused with the horror movies), and I think it's always best to see the original movie. This movie is really good, and I highly recommend it. It's sort of a sci-fi/horror movie, and it's very exciting, I really liked it.
Albert K

Wow, don't be drawn away by the age of this film... it's executed extremely well. A lot of fun
A.D. V

One of the best pessimistic science fiction movies ever that was way ahead of its time and starring Kevin McCarthy in his bestest best role right in front of Innerspace and Twilight Zone. RIP Mr. McCarthy.
Conner R

A fun and extremely alarming B-movie, showcasing the dangers of no emotion. What sets this apart from other cheesy Sci-Fi movies is the wonderful style and direction from Don Siegel, it makes the suspense real and the topic interesting. While this isn't the superior adaption of… More
A fun and extremely alarming B-movie, showcasing the dangers of no emotion. What sets this apart from other cheesy Sci-Fi movies is the wonderful style and direction from Don Siegel, it makes the suspense real and the topic interesting. While this isn't the superior adaption of the story, it's pretty close to the 78 version. The only thing that brings it down is the sub-par acting for the most part, the main exception being Dana Wynter. This is an essential part of Sci-Fi movies though, it's very much a film noir within the genre.
Tim S

Campy and fun.
Anthony L

Don Siegel's original Body Snatchers paved the way for so many horror/Sci-fi classics. It's not my favourite version but it is one of my favourite B-movies from the era, mainly due to the realistic performances that were slightly more convincing than many others of the time.
Drew S

Campy, didactic 1950s sci-fi fun. Some of the dialogue has become unavoidably hilarious but it only hones the B-movie sensibilities. The pacing is fantastic for a film of its era and the acting is alarmingly strong. Absolutely required viewing for anyone with even a cursory interest… More
Campy, didactic 1950s sci-fi fun. Some of the dialogue has become unavoidably hilarious but it only hones the B-movie sensibilities. The pacing is fantastic for a film of its era and the acting is alarmingly strong. Absolutely required viewing for anyone with even a cursory interest in the genre: this is the progenitor, the big daddy.
Stephen M

The greatest of all the '50s sci-fi B-movies, which is probably why Hollywood continues to remake it on a regular basis. This one will never be bettered.
Daniel H

The small-scale town gives such immediacy and tension to this original 1950's sci-fi film. The Macarthyite paranoia is a vauge, mostly unverifiable shadow. Really, this film is made to be heavy and tense. It's a desperate plea told through flash-backs, instead of a… More
The small-scale town gives such immediacy and tension to this original 1950's sci-fi film. The Macarthyite paranoia is a vauge, mostly unverifiable shadow. Really, this film is made to be heavy and tense. It's a desperate plea told through flash-backs, instead of a thrill-ride... which gives a much needed aim to the plot. The acting isn't astounding, but the plot truly is. The characters and their roles merge seamlessly, and evolve into a believable but fantastic story. Unlike later adaptations, the "invasion" makes sense here, and seems plausible: an essential key to keeping the paranoia of the film intact.
moon r

are they still making remakes of this one? go figure...maybe the first one was pretty good, eh? maybe worth a look, no? read the book while yer at it, and grow up to make a better remake than the latest one...
Pierluigi P

The commie aliens invade the land of freedom. Don Sigel/Daniel Mainwaring/Jack Finney's classic paranoic cult B-movie. exceptional Kevin McCarthy.
xGary X

Classic paranoid sci-fi thriller that has been remade and ripped off in various forms ever since it's release. It's been dubiously likened to political allegory by many, but at it's core is an intense and suspensefully directed thriller based on an intriguing and… More
Classic paranoid sci-fi thriller that has been remade and ripped off in various forms ever since it's release. It's been dubiously likened to political allegory by many, but at it's core is an intense and suspensefully directed thriller based on an intriguing and brilliantly frightening premise. I found the end a little unsatisfying, something rectified by the equally well done 1978 remake.
Bradley W

A classic horror, this movie still gives me the chills.
Joey S

A great sci-fi movie that is still pretty entertaining today, despite having its fair share of cheesiness.