Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1956)
Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1978)
Body Snatchers (1993)
The Invasion (2007)
Rate them from your favorite to least favorite. I loved them all but 78 version had a slight edge over the 1956 version just because the dismal ending but I LOVED 56 version especially Kevin McCarthy & Dana Wynter.
"I am the ultimate badass, you do not wanna `*beep*` wit' me!" Hudson in Aliens.
BUMP
"I am the ultimate badass, you do not wanna `*beep*` wit' me!" Hudson in Aliens.
[deleted]
Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1956)
Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1978)
The Invasion (2007)
I grew up with the 56 version and have always adored it. I admire the 78 version, but in a totally different way. Haven't seen the 93 version, so I didn't list it.
I didn't like The Invasion very much. I know it suffered from a change of directors and was cut to shreds, and perhaps that is why the ending feels so tacked on and abrupt. Also it didn't really have any sense of foreboding or urgency, except in spurts, which again is probably due to being messed about with.
Also, I didn't really appreciate the oh so 'subtle' message towards the end that maybe humanity was better off with the virus, living peaceful, mundane lives, blah blah blah.
I could go on, and I probably sound as if I hate The Invasion, which wasn't all bad. Also, it did entertain, though I don't know that I'd bother again. I'd be very interested to see the original director's version as he intended it though.
On a different note, it was as pleasant a surprise to see Veronica Cartwright in The Invasion, having also seen her in the 78 version (what a performance that was!) as it was back in 78 to see Kevin McCarthy (Miles from the 56 version) putting in an appearance.
SPOILERS BELOW!
Finally, the 'and they all lived happily ever after' ending really didn't feel right. I'm not suggesting that everyone should have died/been infected, but did it have to be so much the other extreme? Daniel Craig's character at the very least should have died; possibly Nicole's as well.
"Three years...I promise."
Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1978)
Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1956)
The Invasion (2007)
Haven't seen the 1993 version. I watched the 1978 one several times as a kid, and I always found it scary and fascinating. I haven't watched it in a while, and I think I would love to!
Donald Sutherland was awesome in the '78 version, it's my favorite and I loved how they brought back Kevin McCarthy's character. But the 93 version is pretty underrated, some great performances by Forest Whitaker & Meg Tilly as well.
"I am the ultimate badass, you do not wanna `*beep*` wit' me!" Hudson in Aliens.
I admire and like them all. I believe this to be a story that warrents a fresh retelling for each generation--as has in fact taken place.
1. INVASION OF THE BODY SNATCHERS (1978) 10/10 Extraordinary
2. INVASION OF THE BODY SNATCHERS (1956) 10/10 Extraordinary
3. BODY SNATCHERS (1993) 9/10 Excellent
4. THE INVASION (2007) 8/10 Very Good
In the light of powerful performances by Brooke Adams, Veronica Cartwright, Jeff Goldblum, Kevin McCarthy, Donald Sutherland, Meg Tilly, Forest Whitaker and Dana Wynter in the earlier films, I think that we may be taking for granted the work of Daniel Craig and (especially) Nicole Kidman in the new version.
I insist on Don Siegal's Director's Cut of the 1956 original, without the tacked-on upbeat frame device. Spoken or silent, blatant or oblique, the unforgettable punch-line of this chilling story is always "YOU'RE NEXT!"
Doctor Mabuse, Evil Genius, King of Crime
^^ I agree, all four films are very good. Don't forget Jeffrey Wright's performance in The Invasion. He's a solid actor too. I really hope that they make another Invasion movie.
"I am the ultimate badass, you do not wanna `*beep*` wit' me!" Hudson in Aliens.
Anyone else care to comment?
"I am the ultimate badass, you do not wanna `*beep*` wit' me!" Hudson in Aliens.
BUMP
"I am the ultimate badass, you do not wanna `*beep*` wit' me!" Hudson in Aliens.
Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1978) is my favourite and what a ending, quite possible the scariest ending I have ever seen. (8/10)
Body Snatchers (93) was pretty good (7/10)
The Invasion (2007) I highly enjoyed as well (8/10)
"Whoo-ah"
^^Got your PM & replied, check yours! And yes, I agree, the silence at the end with NO music playing at the end credits made it even more chilling.
"I am the ultimate badass, you do not wanna `*beep*` wit' me!" Hudson in Aliens.
1 - Invasion of the Body Snatchers 1956
2 - The Invasion 2007
3 - Invasion of the Body Snatchers 1978
(I skipped the 80s version, because although I think I've seen it once, I can't remember anything much about it)
I love the original B&W, and I enjoy the ending that has a little hope. It saves it from feeling pointless, but it also doesn't make it 'nice and easy'. It's going to be a struggle.
The 1978 version, although there are parts I love (e.g. the way they stand, point and scream) and I think some of the actors were great (Veronica Cartwright always stands out), I never warmed to it much. The ending always felt a little too contrived in that typical horror movie way. Everything leads up to the characters almost succeeding and then oh look, we've got a 'shock' it-all-went-bad-anyway ending, just for the sake of having one. I was sick and tired of those type of film endings even when I first saw it as a kid (admittedly, you're probably talking mid eighties, though).
The Invasion I really enjoyed. I was pleasantly surprised overall, and I liked the ending. I was very sceptical when I heard it had a 'happy' ending, but I thought they arrived at it with sufficient story and effort from the characters, so that it didn't feel tacked on.
I also don't mind the 'humans reverting to evil behaviour' aspect of the end. I never took it as saying that we might be better off with the virus. To me, it's the compromise for having a 'happy' ending. It's pointing out the disturbing fact that everything which makes humanity great also comes at a terrible price. We must accept that price if we want real freedom and choice.
http://duncansguide.blogspot.com - My Reviewsshare
I actually liked that the 78 version didn't have a happy ending, it's the ending that most people remember, same for films like The Green Mile, Se7en, The Birds, SAW, Empire Strikes Back, The Dark Knight, Fallen, Stephen King's Storm of the Century, etc, they don't have to have some great happy ending. Going against the norm with a tragic or downbeat ending makes a great or good film particularly memorable to me.
"I am the ultimate badass, you do not wanna `*beep*` wit me!"- Hudson in Aliens.
BUMP
"I am the ultimate badass, you do not wanna `*beep*` wit me!"- Hudson in Aliens.
wdlee,
Started reading your post and immediately started wondering if I had written it. You said everything I would say.
…Well, I might like Invasion as much as the '56.
Take care
Timmie, if you don't bring that rocketship back this instant, you'll get the spanking of your life!
You should really watch the 90s film, it's very underrated and good!
share1. Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1978) - I really liked the feel of this one, and it being set in San Francisco. Donald Sutherland was great as the lead, and he had good chemistry with the rest of the cast. Nimoy was very good in his role as well. There was a sense of unease that kept building here, and the last act of the film is pretty suspenseful. And I love the ending, that final image of Donald is haunting. One of my favorite movies.
2. Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1956)- Great film. The characters were likable and the menace was effectively developed. There were lots of scenes of genuine suspense. The movie is hurt a little by the ending, I wish the director had been allowed to end it where he wanted, it was much more effective, but this still works.
3. Body Snatchers (1993) - Well, you've done it in a small town and a large city, so why not a military base? I think that was a clever idea, and it makes sense as the conformity of a base makes it an ideal location for pods. I really like Gabrielle Anwar here, but the rest of the characters weren't as well fleshed out. The effects were good and suitably creepy. It was a good movie, but not excellent like the first two. But it gets points for trying to do something a little different with the premise.
4. The Invasion (2007) - Kidman was good here, but the film seemed pretty content to play it safe. The first two films took more risks with the characters and storytelling, and the third at least attempted to make something unique. The cast here was pretty excellent but the story was just okay. It wasn't a bad movie, but when stacked up against the other 3 it is disappointing.
[deleted]
1. Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1978)
2. Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1956)
3. The Invasion (2007)
4. Body Snatchers (1993)
Invasion of the Body Snatchers, 1978
The Invasion, 2007
Body Snatchers, 1993
I haven't seen the 1956 version, so I can't rank it.
If we can save humanity, we become the caretakers of the world
1. The Body Snatchers 1954, Novel by Jack Finney serialized in Collier's Magazine
2. The Invasion, 2007 - best acting, love the new ideas
3. Invasion of the Body Snatchers 1956
4. Invasion of the Body Snatchers, 1978
5. Body Snatchers, 1993
... and the rocks it pummels. - James Berardinelli