Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1956) - Lisa's Review

This is a movie I remember watching with my dad as a child.  I don't remember much about it apart from remembering feeling a bit overwhelmed and freaked out by it and dreaming about it for many nights afterwards.  I Watched it again, maybe in my teens and remember thinking it was quite lame and laughable....  Having watching it again for this review, I have to admit my child brain seemed to have this one down much better than my judgemental 'modern-movie effects loving' teenage one.  Sure it is a B movie, which I generally abhor, but this one I do have a special place for.  This movie has been remade several times, but in my opinion, the original is most definately the best.  So, to a scant premis if you've lived your life under a rock.

The movie starts with a hysterical Dr Miles Bennell relating his story to bemused Psychiatrist Dr Hill.  We view the happenings by way of his flashbacks.   In the town of Santa Mira where Dr Bennell is a local GP, patients start to come in reporting very odd occurances.  They seem to be under the impression that their loved ones are acting so strangely that they must certainly have been replaced by imposters.   Dr Bennell, like with any sensible family doctor put the increasing number of consults down to mass hysteria.    He is even unconvinced when ex girlfriend Becky returns to town and reports a family member having the same tall story.  Appointments with previously hysterical patients all being cancelled is also not convincing enough for him.  Dr Bennell unfortunately discovers that there actually is more to these stories.  Something much, much worse than mass hysteria.

In the unlikely event that any reader has not seen this movie, then I will say no more as I wouldn't want to spoil it for you.  In the much more likely event you have seen the movie, more information on the story line is redundant so I'll stop here.

There is much over egging where the acting is concerned, but it is just so quintessentially 50's in it's style, sound and general feel, you can't help but feel nostalgic and comfortable while watching.  The music score again is over dramatic, but adds to the general feel of the movie so well and brings us back to that comfortable place that is watching an old black & white B movie.   My husband and several male friends are big fans of B movies and I have always maintained I hate them, but actually when I think about it, I don't at all.  I actually really like a lot of old B&W B movies.  Who knew?!

So it is with surprising pleasure I give this one a 'Recommended'.