1956
Directed by Don Siegel
Moving right along, we have another movie about the danger of conformity; it is easy to say that this film is an allegory for McCarthyism. The filmmakers claim that no political message was intended. However, the movie seems so deep that you can pretty much apply any political issue to this film.
But before we get into that, let's get to walk the film is on the surface. This is the story of Dr. Miles Bennell who soon discovers that some of neighbors are in fact impostors that are being grown by some unknown alien force.
Like I said, I am inclined to believe that this is an anti-McCarhyism movie, mostly because I have seen about fifteen films so far in the fifties that have that message. Still, I think the film has an ageless quality that makes me think it is more about the power of individualism and less about current events.
Like all good horror films, this movie relies more on psychological horror than blood and gore, which I suppose is why the movie is so timeless. Also, surprisingly good acting for a B movie. A great movie.
RATING: *****
Interesting Facts:
#9 in AFI's top 10 sci fi films.
You're next!
A great movie indeed. I loved it! This movie is exactly as scary today as it was back then.
ReplyDeleteWow, how good was that?
ReplyDeleteI mostly don't bother to tell friends about the films I see on this list. They roll their eyes, smile politely, maybe even say they'll look out for it and then move on. Not sure I'm going to be able to resist mentioning this one though. I hope they've been practising their eye rolling!
I'm surprised to see I'd not stuck my bit in about this.. a film I can easily watch and re-watch again...
ReplyDeleteI doubt you will be surprised I'm a fan of this one.. a horror , with, as you note, without blood and gore, relying on chill, tension, and atmosphere to give it's dread.
What I will surprise you with is that I can quite like the remake.. the one with Leonard Nimoy in.. OK, if I was planning on watching one or the other, sure, I'd go for the proper one, but it's well worth a look...
I've always regarded it as an anti McCarthite message film.. So you can see that the makers went to pains to deny it, given the political climate.
Mind you, it could just as easily, if you were of that mind to do so.. be interpreted as an anti communist film.. Evil alien forces using mind control to turn everyone into mindless unthinking unthinking duplicates of each other.. all, supposedly, for the greater good.