Director: Phillip Kaufmann
Starring: Donald Sutherland, Brooke Adams and Leonard Nimoy
‘A Captivating Classic’
Few actors in Hollywood created a legacy as strong as Donald Sutherland. Since his rise to fame during the 1950’s, Sutherland appeared to be an actor with a bright future. Whether it’s grief-stricken fathers, strong political leaders or police officers, Sutherland portrayed many strong characters. He was always one of those actors with a larger-than-life presence that elevated every movie he appeared in. However, his career came to a sudden closure when he recently passed away from prostate cancer. Sutherland’s grim death marked a huge loss for the film industry. In the wake of his heartbreaking death, movie-stars in Hollywood faced heartache. It’s easier said than done to move on from the loss of an iconic legend. That being said, the actor’s sad death did spark newfound interest in his films. Following Sutherland’s tragic death, there has become a newfound interest in an actor which made several movies worth watching. Through an illustrious career, Sutherland created many unforgettable films that are definitely without a doubt worth seeing.
I’m a huge fan of Sutherland and adore all the films he made throughout his illustrious career. However, “Invasion of the Body Snatchers” is definitely my favourite. Ever since its release in 1978, Donald Sutherland’s movie has stood the test of time as an iconic horror classic. Packed with breathtaking production, engrossing story and powerful acting, it’s one of the best horror movies ever made. At centre of it all is a strong performance by Donald Sutherland, capturing a scientist struggling to cope with a dangerous alien attack. Ultimately, what makes “Invasion of the Body Snatchers” a timely horror classic is its message. Unlike most horror movies from the 1980’s, it tackles strong themes everyone would relate to. It delivers a powerful message about the dangers of trust which will resonate among everyone. A compelling horror classic, there are several strong reasons why “Invasion of the Body Snatchers” is a film which is worth watching.
Set in 1970’s San Francisco, “Invasion of the Body Snatchers” tells the story of a frightening invasion involving drones which cause sorrow. Donald Sutherland plays Matthew Bennell, a powerful scientist with interest in aliens. Matthew has always shared a strong friendship with his co-worker Elizabeth Driscoll (Brooke Adams) that he loves dearly. However, Matthew’s life is torn apart when his commemorated town endured an alien invasion which causes terror. Faced with a mysterious dilemma, Matthew is forced to confront duplicate aliens that cause feelings of trauma. Stuck in a grim situation, Matthew begins to question whether he would ever survive a catastrophic invasion. Concerned about the safety of the ones which he loves, Matthew questions whether he will ever gain happiness. As all the odds become stacked against his favour, Matthew wonders whether he will ever be able to defeat commemorated body snatchers.
Philip Kaufman is a newcomer towards horror movies. Before he directed “Invasion of the Body Snatchers”, Kaufman had never made a horror film before. Kaufman was a comic director known for his over-the-top comedies. It was the filmmaker’s first attempt to capture the lives of scientists in a small town affected by alien invasion disaster, but he succeeded. Using bold cinematography, Kaufman captures a scientist that’s impacted by a grim alien invasion disaster. Visually, the film is a stunning feast for the eyes. Kaufman effectively uses point-of-view shots to convey terror of a scientist that’s affected by disaster. Throughout the movie, Kaufmann uses point of view shots to capture an alien invasion which causes disaster. For instance, the point of view shots enhances the dinner scene. During this unforgettable scene, Elizabeth experiences a sense of terror when she suspects individuals of crimes at a dinner. One admires the point of view shots capturing the turmoil individuals in a small town facing invasions go through. Point of view shots are tricky techniques to employ in horror movies. As Steven Spielberg’s “Jaws” suggested clearly, point of view shots elevate horror movies that capture dangerous sharks. Nevertheless, it works immensely in this movie. Through stunning visuals, Kaufmann captures catastrophic alien invasions which prove to be frightening.
Another admirable aspect of “Invasion of the Body Snatchers” is production-design. From a technical perspective, the film is extremely well made. Unlike most films producing during the 1980’s which tend to be outdated, the film has aged beautifully. Kaufman successfully utilizes real-life locations across San Francisco as the backdrop for an alien invasion. Throughout the movie, the town on San Francisco plays pivotal roles in the film in capturing an alien invasion catastrophe. For instance, the tense backdrop of San Francisco elevates the alien invasions scene. During this terrifying scene, Matthew and Elizabeth stumble across a strange man which warns of an alien invasion which is fast approaching. One appreciates the locations of San Francisco serving as the backdrop for an alien invasion that’s frightening. Furthermore, the musical score is superb. Denny Zeitlen’s music gives the movie an intense atmosphere capturing alien invasions causing a nightmare. Through strong production-design, Kaufmann captures frightening alien invasions that cause people to decline.
Storytelling is one of the reasons why “Invasion of the Body Snatchers” is a captivating horror classic that’s compelling. The film is beautifully written, and effectively uses foreshadowing to capture an alien invasion which is frightening. Kaufman’s screenwriting strength is capturing the negative effects of alien invasions through foreshadowing. Throughout the film, Kaufman effectively uses subtle hints to foreshadow an alien invasion which is upcoming. For instance, foreshadowing enhances the car crash scene. During this unforgettable scene, Matthew and Elizabeth experience terror when they crash a car into an intruder warning about an invasion disaster. Through this clever foreshadowing, Kaufman illustrates terrifying alien invasions with harmful consequences which prove to be scary. Foreshadowing is a tricky technique to use in films. As Stanley Kubrick’s “The Shining” demonstrated clearly, foreshadowing elevates horror movies about isolation. Nevertheless, it works tremendously in this movie. Through an awe-inspiring screenplay, Kaufman captures a frightening alien invasion which comes with a price to pay.
One admires astonishing performances.
Donald Sutherland delivers one of his greatest performances as Matthew Bennell. Sutherland achieved appreciations for playing concerned fathers of declining families. With “Invasion of the Body Snatchers”, however, he took on his most frightening role. It isn’t easy to embody the personality of a scientist that experiences an alien invasion catastrophe but he succeeds tremendously. This is the actor unlike you have ever seen him before: intense, charismatic and utterly emotional in his most memorable role. With mesmerizing expressions, he conveys the angst, desperation and terror of a man which becomes victim of an alien invasion disaster. It’s an extraordinary performance from one of the most talented actors in Hollywood which is sadly no longer with us today.
While the film is mainly a stunning showcase for Donald Sutherland, the supporting cast is also extraordinary. Brooke Adams is brilliant, bringing humanity to a woman that becomes concerned about safety of her family facing an alien invasion catastrophe. Leonard Nimoy is fantastic, capturing bravery of a doctor which seeks to destroy duplicates causing his life to be left without joy. Lastly, Jeff Goldblum merits appreciation. In one of his first roles before his iconic turn in “Jurassic Park”, Goldblum proved to be a bright movie-star with a spark.
Finally, “Invasion of the Body Snatchers” will earn everyone’s appreciation for capturing alien invasion disasters. Unlike most horror movies made during the 1970’s, it discusses themes everyone would relate to. The movie tackles relatable themes including identities, humanism and experimentation which would resonate with everyone. Viewers don’t need to be fans of the horror genre to appreciate it. It delivers a strong message about importance of finding identity which would resonate with everyone. Therefore, “Invasion of the Body Snatchers” is one of those rare horror films made in the 1980’s which everyone would adore.
Fans of Donald Sutherland would definitely enjoy “Invasion of the Body Snatchers” and so will movie-goers seeking strong entertainment. A commemorated horror classic, it celebrates a legendary actor which has built a legacy in Hollywood that is iconic.
Nearly 40 years following the release of a groundbreaking horror movie about scientists facing terror when their small towns are invaded by body snatchers that are terrifying, it’s a riveting reminder about a legendary actor that gained a massive fan following earning worldwide recognition through his abilities to portray larger-than-life characters which were compelling whose commemorated movies are definitely without a doubt worth celebrating several months after his heartbreaking passing left the world mourning.
5/5 stars
The Film Buff 