|
|
Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1978) |
 |
Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1978)
|
by MGM (Video & DVD)
Sales Rank: 52928
Price: $14.95
|
|
|
Jack Finney's classic science fiction novel has been the basis of three big-screen adaptations, beginning with the 1956 chiller <I>Invasion of the Body Snatchers</I> and most recently as 1994's underrated <I>Body Snatchers</I>. This acclaimed 1978 version from director Philip Kaufman (<I>The Right Stuff</I>) is every bit as creepy as the '56 original, and it fits perfectly into the cycle of paranoid thrillers that thrived in American movies of the 1970s. Kaufman stylishly directs from an intelligent screenplay by W.D. Richter, while Donald Sutherland and Brooke Adams lead a distinguished cast (including Jeff Goldblum, Leonard Nimoy, and Veronica Cartwright) and must fight for survival as the population of San Francisco is systematically cloned by alien "pods" from a distant, dying planet. The atmosphere of dread and paranoia grows increasingly intense as the complexity of the alien invasion is gradually revealed, until nobody can be trusted to be who they appear. Finely tuned performances enhance the film's eerie atmosphere, highlighted by moments that will lurk in your memory long after the movie's over. MGM's DVD release includes a full-length audio commentary by Kaufman, a "pod culture" retrospective, <I>Body Snatchers</I> trivia, production notes, and the original theatrical trailer. <I>--Jeff Shannon</I>
Viewer Reviews
Let me say that I am usually against all remakes of classic movies, even if it is meant to update the subject and bring it forth to younger audiences.
In my view, younger audiences should make a culture for themselves, by watching the classics as they were and then, eventually, move on, not the other way round.
It is just watching "Romeo + Juliet" (Leonardo DiCaprio's vehicle), and pretending to know Shakespeare.
It is simply an insult to good taste and culture as such.
"Invasion of the Body Snatchers" (1978) is no Shakespeare and does not pretend to be an everlasting classic.
It is not even a remake as such. It is a follow-up to the original 1956 counterpart of the same name, which still remains a chilling and effective movie to this day (a bit like Hitchcock movies).
It is serious and respects the parameters of the earlier movie, only adding some more scientific detail and auto-ironic undertones to the subject.
The cast could not have been better chosen. Donald Sutherland, who also later appeared in Robert Henlein's "Puppet Masters", Jeff Goldblum (The Fly, Jurassic Park), Leonard Nimoy (Mr. Spock of Star Trek lore), Veronica Cartwright and Brooke Adams, are all very dedicated actors.
The brief appearance of Kevin McCarthy adds to the ties with its original counterpart and reminds us that the threat is still among us,... and spreading.
I have watched it through the years, and must say that this is one hell of a movie.
The only thing that may set it in its own age, are the clothes (the fashion) worn in the late seventies, but once you get dragged into the story, you might even forget that and be really "sucked" in it.
From then on, it is a movie that really grips you and keeps you alert.
It is more than just a common Sci-Fi flick. Like the classic "The Day the Earth Stood Still", it is science fiction for the thinking man.
It is more metaphor than just plain and simple sci-fi and addresses issues of ethnology and sociology in a manner not usually seen in other movies.
For that, this Collector's Edition, which also sports a cleaner image and a conventional, but very clean Surround sound, and a few extras for the cinephile in you, is well worth your attention and your money.
Back To Top
|
Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1978)
Available from Amazon
|
|
NOTICE: All product prices, availability, and specifications
are subject to verification by their respective retailers.
Copyright © 2009, Dominant Systems Corporation
info@HowlingVideo.com
Privacy Policy
Last Modified : 1-8-2009
|
