What I love about this film the most is the Alfred Hitchcock aspect of letting your mind trick itself into being scared. So much nicer than jump scare after jump scare 🤔
Saw it at the theater when it came out and the audience chuckled when Kevin McCarthy as Dr. Bennell still running from the pods 22 years later. One of the few movies where the remake was better than the original. But the original will always be held in high esteem as a great Sci-fi 50's classic. Good review, thanks!
@@leeclark4495 This is a classic too, Star Wars trilogy are classics, Planet of the apes is a classic, John Carpenter's The Thing is a classic, 2001 a classic, Blade Runner is a classic, David Cronenberg's The Fly, Alien and Aliens are classics, Predator is a classic, Robocop is a classic etc. the 60s 70s and 80s have Sci-fi classics too
They panned Blade Runner, they were mostly negative and split on The Thing, and lukewarmly recommended Alien, barely. It's like watching Stevie Wonder judge a beauty contest.
I guess you could say The Faculty (1998) is kind of an unofficial remake. Sutherland also appeared in The Puppet Masters (1994), a movie that's thematically similar to Invasion of the Body Snatchers.
One of the best remakes ever and definitely stands on its own. Great cast and storyline, solid SFX. It’s always fun to see a movie made in San Francisco...my hometown (Haight / Ashbury). One of the rare times where a remake and or sequel is as good if not better than the original… And I love the original as well. One of the more creepier movies & settings that I have seen. IOTBS 1956, 1978 & the novel are all classics. As always… Great channel TY.
Awesome! I'm really glad I found your channel. I'll subscribe now. The mud bath's scene's were filmed 2 blocks away from my parents home on California street, it's a ballerina school now. They said it was pretty cool having a little bit of this movie being filmed in our neighborhood. This movie might be my favorite San Francisco movie of all time because all the different neighborhoods they shot in The City.
Enjoyed the review. The ending was a double surprise; Nancy Bellicec and Matthew Bennell's status when the credits rolled. Becky Driscoll's change in the original was inconsistent with how other people changed. Elizabeth Driscoll's demise in the remake was consistent and detailed. A natural advantage a 1978 had is such a scene could be shown. The dog scene was also far superior in the remake, again thanks to imagination and what was permissible.
I had spent the summer before this came out in San Francisco with my mother. At that time, I was a fan of Leonard Nimoy from "Star Trek" and "In Search Of", in addition to reading a lot of books about the Bermuda Triangle, Loch Ness, Amelia Earhart, etc. This film scared the piss out of me. Always did like the pace and paranoia of it. There's also a part at the bath house where a guy has a copy of "Worlds in Collision", by Imanuel Velikovsky, which is dated now (it was published circa 1950), about the idea that Earth/Tiamat was cleaved by Mars/Marduk many years ago. The comparative religious parts were and are cool, reminiscent of some of Joseph Campbell's work.
Babylonian vileness, ( Velikovsky,,) but that's what the genre is all about ! HG & Jules, other human progenitors of the easily damnable Sci-Fi- scene; for the last 135 yrs of celluloid ! /// The demons know that which fascinates mankind! Re Genesis 3:1-5 & 1st Samuel 11:: 2
I loved your review of the movie. Great, informative, well researched, and interesting. The only thing that I thought was a bit off was your characterisation of Donald Sutherland’s character having a “significant age difference” from Brooke Adams. I did not notice this at all while seeing the movie multiple times, so I looked it up and found out that Sutherland was 43 while making the movie, and Adams was 30. Significant? Maybe if she was 20, but not that significant I thought. Anyway, other than that little nit pick, you get a solid A.
One of the very rare occasions where a remake is as good as if not better than the original. And I agree, if you haven't seen a body snatchers version, this is the one to watch.
If you're referring to the original version of this video, I unlisted it (but since you're a Patron, you can still find it on my Patreon page--one of my very first posts, as a point of fact).
When this film came out I really wanted to see it but I was too young. Something told me it was special, thanks for showing why my instincts were right!
I think this version may even be superior to the 1956. I see it as about the 'me' generation, where you can live someplace and hardly know your neighbors. We see Adams come out of her apartment building and greet her neighbors with a chirpy but disconnected 'Hi!' and you get the feeling she doesn't know their names. The 4K looks great, and the early Dolby Stereo soundtrack is very aggressive. Great stuff.
Spoiler alert - do not read if you plan to see this film. The homeless banjo player and his pet. You didn't mention the one shot in the film that totally freaked-out the audience. The dog with his owner's face! Once seen - it cannot be unseen. Long before CGI - this seemingly impossible shot made a huge impression at the time. I was there - in 1978 - in the theater - along with everyone else losing their s*** - when this uncanny valley unfolded before our eyes. Imagine the conversation the FX person must have had with the director, "So you need a dog, with a completely human face, to walk up and smile at Donald Sutherland? Seriously!?" But somehow, they made that kill shot - and it worked, as the audience screamed their lungs out. I agree this is the best remake, and although I have much affection for the original, this one is truly scary - serving up paranoia and fear beyond all the other versions.
A funny thing sbout dutch angles. Usibg them is tricky. Unlike other cinematographic tricks, dutch angles are very obvious to the audience, and misuse runs s risk of being comically misapropriate. Unless, of course, your location is an ally. The entire damned city of San Francisco is a dutch angle, which enhanses or masks the directirs use if them with the camera work and REALLY heightens the sense iof unease. As I write this, the picture is frozen on what can only be described as a double-reverse dutch angle, woth the background and fireground leaning in opposite directions and the actor seemingly walking cantee sideways, in defiance of gravity, no matter how you turn your head. It has to be noted that the Mystery Spot, a tourist attraction based on optical illusions like this, with uphill appearing to be downhill and where opjects appear to roll upeards. Is less than an hour away from San Francisco. Looking at this shot, I'm certain Kaufman and his photographers spent hours there, figuring out how use those illusions to contribute to the mood of this movie.
I'm here again mid April 2024! My favorite by far is the original! The ultimate question is will we, the human race have a happy ending? I hope we don't end up in the sunken place, you know Get Out 2017! I guess we'll find out!!!!!!???
The main flaw in this film is representing, as you say, the paranoia of an urban setting. The original showed contrast with the invasion. This film hardly reflects substantive changes at all. Why, it's almost like the filmmakers are trying to tell me something about city life... Another issue is with the oppressively jaded nature of the characters in play. I couldn't be the only person rooting for them all to be assimilated, could l? Plus, it still bothers me that that dog clearly had a role that would have gone to Buck Flowers in any other circumstance...
I think the original was better, but you make a strong case for this, I will give you that. It certainly is better than the two that followed, IMO. Sutherland is excellent and this is as good as Brooke Adams gets, I think. The '93 version WAS bad, no doubt. I probably liked the '07 one even less than you did. Kidman is not a favorite of mine. There's a stiffness to her I find off-putting. I always feel she's acting. It doesn't come naturally to her, IMO, the way it does to a Donald Sutherland.
What I love about this film the most is the Alfred Hitchcock aspect of letting your mind trick itself into being scared. So much nicer than jump scare after jump scare 🤔
Saw it at the theater when it came out and the audience chuckled when Kevin McCarthy as Dr. Bennell still running from the pods 22 years later. One of the few movies where the remake was better than the original. But the original will always be held in high esteem as a great Sci-fi 50's classic. Good review, thanks!
And do you think this version is also a classic?
@@Johnlindsey289 Only an original can be a classic. It's a great remake, but it's not an original, so it can't be a classic.
@@leeclark4495
What is a classic to you?
@@Johnlindsey289 I answered that, read my preivious comment.
@@leeclark4495
This is a classic too, Star Wars trilogy are classics, Planet of the apes is a classic, John Carpenter's The Thing is a classic, 2001 a classic, Blade Runner is a classic, David Cronenberg's The Fly, Alien and Aliens are classics, Predator is a classic, Robocop is a classic etc. the 60s 70s and 80s have Sci-fi classics too
One of the best endings of all time. Donald Sutherland has two of the best endings in this movie and Don't Look Now.
Best ending of all time!
Definitely scarier than the original Great ending. Didn't realise Cartwright was in The Birds. Thanks for the vid.
Yes, Veronica Cartwright was a child then.
Over the decades I’ve come to discount Roger Ebert & Gene Siskel when they reviewed the horror / sci-fi genre movies.
With horror/sci-fi/fantasy if someone has trouble getting into the genre they will probably have trouble giving an appropriate review.
They panned Blade Runner, they were mostly negative and split on The Thing, and lukewarmly recommended Alien, barely.
It's like watching Stevie Wonder judge a beauty contest.
I guess you could say The Faculty (1998) is kind of an unofficial remake. Sutherland also appeared in The Puppet Masters (1994), a movie that's thematically similar to Invasion of the Body Snatchers.
Your channel is an absolute gem. Keep up the good work! Greetings from Italy 🇮🇹
One of the best remakes ever and definitely stands on its own. Great cast and storyline, solid SFX. It’s always fun to see a movie made in San Francisco...my hometown (Haight / Ashbury). One of the rare times where a remake and or sequel is as good if not better than the original… And I love the original as well. One of the more creepier movies & settings that I have seen. IOTBS 1956, 1978 & the novel are all classics. As always… Great channel TY.
Great analysis! The cinematography in this film is under appreciated.
Awesome! I'm really glad I found your channel. I'll subscribe now. The mud bath's scene's were filmed 2 blocks away from my parents home on California street, it's a ballerina school now. They said it was pretty cool having a little bit of this movie being filmed in our neighborhood. This movie might be my favorite San Francisco movie of all time because all the different neighborhoods they shot in The City.
Enjoyed the review. The ending was a double surprise; Nancy Bellicec and Matthew Bennell's status when the credits rolled. Becky Driscoll's change in the original was inconsistent with how other people changed. Elizabeth Driscoll's demise in the remake was consistent and detailed. A natural advantage a 1978 had is such a scene could be shown. The dog scene was also far superior in the remake, again thanks to imagination and what was permissible.
I had spent the summer before this came out in San Francisco with my mother.
At that time, I was a fan of Leonard Nimoy from "Star Trek" and "In Search Of", in addition to reading a lot of books about the Bermuda Triangle, Loch Ness, Amelia Earhart, etc.
This film scared the piss out of me. Always did like the pace and paranoia of it.
There's also a part at the bath house where a guy has a copy of "Worlds in Collision", by Imanuel Velikovsky, which is dated now (it was published circa 1950), about the idea that Earth/Tiamat was cleaved by Mars/Marduk many years ago.
The comparative religious parts were and are cool, reminiscent of some of Joseph Campbell's work.
Babylonian vileness, ( Velikovsky,,) but that's what the genre is all about ! HG & Jules, other human progenitors of the easily damnable Sci-Fi- scene; for the last 135 yrs of celluloid ! /// The demons know that which fascinates mankind!
Re Genesis 3:1-5 & 1st Samuel 11:: 2
that ending gave me nightmares as a kid!
I loved your review of the movie. Great, informative, well researched, and interesting. The only thing that I thought was a bit off was your characterisation of Donald Sutherland’s character having a “significant age difference” from Brooke Adams. I did not notice this at all while seeing the movie multiple times, so I looked it up and found out that Sutherland was 43 while making the movie, and Adams was 30. Significant? Maybe if she was 20, but not that significant I thought. Anyway, other than that little nit pick, you get a solid A.
@6:35 I was a little taken aback with surprise and confusion for a second here when you said that Cartwright was a “successful adult actress”. 😯🤔
😂😂🤣
One of the very rare occasions where a remake is as good as if not better than the original. And I agree, if you haven't seen a body snatchers version, this is the one to watch.
GREAT video as always man!!!
This movie should be as popular and famous as Jaws. It's super underrated despite how brilliant it is.
Nice. I'll have to watch the original to see how big of a contrast it is.
If you're referring to the original version of this video, I unlisted it (but since you're a Patron, you can still find it on my Patreon page--one of my very first posts, as a point of fact).
Just thinking about the ending still sends a shiver up my spine!
this channel is too underrated. I watched your vid about 'Fantastic Planet' and I already love your content XD
Love this totally enjoyed! 👍🏻
Without a doubt needs a new version in the coming years, as its relevant more than ever.
When this film came out I really wanted to see it but I was too young. Something told me it was special, thanks for showing why my instincts were right!
I think this version may even be superior to the 1956. I see it as about the 'me' generation, where you can live someplace and hardly know your neighbors. We see Adams come out of her apartment building and greet her neighbors with a chirpy but disconnected 'Hi!' and you get the feeling she doesn't know their names. The 4K looks great, and the early Dolby Stereo soundtrack is very aggressive. Great stuff.
Spoiler alert - do not read if you plan to see this film. The homeless banjo player and his pet. You didn't mention the one shot in the film that totally freaked-out the audience. The dog with his owner's face! Once seen - it cannot be unseen. Long before CGI - this seemingly impossible shot made a huge impression at the time. I was there - in 1978 - in the theater - along with everyone else losing their s*** - when this uncanny valley unfolded before our eyes. Imagine the conversation the FX person must have had with the director, "So you need a dog, with a completely human face, to walk up and smile at Donald Sutherland? Seriously!?" But somehow, they made that kill shot - and it worked, as the audience screamed their lungs out. I agree this is the best remake, and although I have much affection for the original, this one is truly scary - serving up paranoia and fear beyond all the other versions.
Roger Ebert definitely had a screw loose - that 93 version was a POS.
A sci fi classic! Love this remake!
I can't find the original Ebert review. What did he say about the 1978 v. exactly?
what's your favourite scary movie?
great video.
Love you channel
A funny thing sbout dutch angles. Usibg them is tricky. Unlike other cinematographic tricks, dutch angles are very obvious to the audience, and misuse runs s risk of being comically misapropriate.
Unless, of course, your location is an ally. The entire damned city of San Francisco is a dutch angle, which enhanses or masks the directirs use if them with the camera work and REALLY heightens the sense iof unease. As I write this, the picture is frozen on what can only be described as a double-reverse dutch angle, woth the background and fireground leaning in opposite directions and the actor seemingly walking cantee sideways, in defiance of gravity, no matter how you turn your head.
It has to be noted that the Mystery Spot, a tourist attraction based on optical illusions like this, with uphill appearing to be downhill and where opjects appear to roll upeards. Is less than an hour away from San Francisco. Looking at this shot, I'm certain Kaufman and his photographers spent hours there, figuring out how use those illusions to contribute to the mood of this movie.
Pod people paranoia 🖤
I'm here again mid April 2024! My favorite by far is the original!
The ultimate question is will we, the human race have a happy ending? I hope we don't end up in the sunken place, you know Get Out 2017! I guess we'll find out!!!!!!???
The main flaw in this film is representing, as you say, the paranoia of an urban setting.
The original showed contrast with the invasion. This film hardly reflects substantive changes at all. Why, it's almost like the filmmakers are trying to tell me something about city life...
Another issue is with the oppressively jaded nature of the characters in play. I couldn't be the only person rooting for them all to be assimilated, could l?
Plus, it still bothers me that that dog clearly had a role that would have gone to Buck Flowers in any other circumstance...
That was
👉 GREEEEEEEEEEEEEAAAT!!
The 1993 Body Snatchers is also great. What are you talking about? Roger Ebert was right to give it four stars.
Fair enough. We’ll just agree to disagree. Like what you like! 👍🏻
It was..........okay
I think the original was better, but you make a strong case for this, I will give you that. It certainly is better than the two that followed, IMO. Sutherland is excellent and this is as good as Brooke Adams gets, I think. The '93 version WAS bad, no doubt. I probably liked the '07 one even less than you did. Kidman is not a favorite of mine. There's a stiffness to her I find off-putting. I always feel she's acting. It doesn't come naturally to her, IMO, the way it does to a Donald Sutherland.
I can't argue with that!
This movie reminds me of the coronavirus situation of today. Kinda.