Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1956)

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.

The brilliance of this film can NEVER be cloned (5 stars, not 4)
Okay, unfold some lawn chairs and spread out a few buckets of gravel. Grab some sugary snacks and fountain drinks (or brew). Turn off the lights and open all the windows. This is the perfect movie to recapture that great drive-in vibe.
The original Invasion struck a frightful chord across America. It spawned some duplicates but they are no match when compared to this. Seriously! It's not even close in my opinion.
What makes this movie so disturbing goes beyond the simple alien invasion story. It showcases an overwhelming evil that is nearly impossible to recognize. It suggests how the human race is vulnerable to apathy, which has a sad relevence even more so today. There is a presence of an intimate fear, which invades our conceptions of love or any emotion. You become engulfed in a dreadful hopelessness, a total lack of control. Such a scary thought when the familiar becomes alien. Man, I'm telling you, this is the ultimate sci-fi fright flick.
Plus I really love the black & white ambiance with this original. It definitely adds to the gloomy atmosphere and catastrophic effect. The fear in this one isn't visual, it's psychological. It's so much harder to disregard. Brilliant, a must-see.