Invasion of the Body Snatchers

Invasion of the Body Snatchers

Don Siegel

  • 1956
  • USA
  • Science-fiction
  • 1h20mn
  • Original version with French subtitles
  • Black and white
In the 1950s, the little town of Santa Mira is plagued by a disease that removes all emotions, progressively turning the inhabitants into automatons. Or could it be an alien invasion?
Adapted from Jack Finney’s novel, published the previous year, Don Siegel’s film introduced the now-iconic "body snatchers" to the screen, later to be successfully revisited by Philip Kaufman and Abel Ferrara. Paranoïa, fear of the other and of the unknown, the loss of emotions, dehumanization: all these topics serve a plot mixing noir film and science fiction, both a historical metaphor shot during the Cold War, and a universal parable on the essence of humanity. A great classic, elegant and terrifying, that has lost none of its relevance.

Philippe Vuillemin

I had already soiled myself before, but never as much as when I saw the Bodysnatchers for the first time. I was 9 years old, and it was on a tiny screen. Now comes the chance to finally see it on a large screen. Expect the worst.

Screenings

05/09 • 17h15 • Screen 100

Presented by Philippe Vuillemin

Credits

  • With : Kevin McCarthy, Dana Wynter, Larry Gates, King Donovan, Carolyn Jones...
  • Screenplay : Daniel Mainwaring, adapted from the novel by Jack Finney
  • Photography : Ellsworth Fredericks
  • Editing : Robert S. Eisen
  • Music by : Carmen Dragon
  • Production : Walter Mirisch, Walter Wanger