Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1956) – Intro Analysis & Context

It is often said that “films reflect the time in which they are made”, how far is this true for Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1956)?

The film opens with the protagonist (Miles) in a state of panic. This state of panic mirrors the state of affairs in America and American society. After witnessing the sheer power and capability for destruction that was used in Nagasaki and Hiroshima, America was fearful of Nuclear Annihilation, this caused a panic within American society. Another important aspect of the panic in 50s America is the response to others that was stirred up and propagated by Joseph McCarthy. At this point in the film, the audience is unaware that Miles is telling the truth when it comes to the pods and that he is not ‘delusional’. This portrays Miles as being the ‘other’ as he is so different to the other characters within the opening scene, the fact that he is then regarded as ‘insane’ reflects the attitude of authority figures within 50s America towards the ‘other’. The fact that the police are the ones that the doctor calls upon when Miles appears to be delusional is an allegory for the authoritarian response to a fear of conformity within society. The police prosecuted many people who criticised and protested the American government, therefore it can be seen that the police’s attempts to quell Miles’ panic about conformity and group think is an allegory for the authoritarian measures that were introduced.

Throughout the flashback scene, the establishing shots of Miles walking through the town of Santa Mira create the impression that the town is normal and typical. The town is a fictional one and doesn’t exist in real life, the only thing about the town that is based in reality is that it’s set in America. This is significant as it indicates that the town serves as an allegorical placeholder for any small American town, rather than a specific location. However, Miles’ narration reveals that something is amiss in the town, saying “something evil had taken over the town”. The word ‘something’ leaves the threat open to interpretation and therefore the allegorical message of the film is left open. This mixture of a seemingly normal America and Miles’ disconcerting dialogue creates the impression that something is off and wrong, reflecting the general thoughts on society at the time.

Throughout the introduction, people mysteriously cancel appointments and stop complaining of ailments. This is significant as it serves a link to the thought policing and censorship that occurred within 50s America, people were generally afraid to criticise and complain about the status affair due to a fear of authoritarian measures and as they wanted to conform and maintain the status quo. In fact, people who do still see Miles for medical advice are portrayed as being paranoid and are described by other characters as being mentally ill. These characters are portrayed as being outsiders, ‘other’ and wrong; this shows how the film was conveying the message that if a person didn’t conform in society, then they would be ostracised and seen as delusional.

It is significant that Miles begins the film as a sing male. The 1950s American Government ran many propaganda campaigns that demonised homosexuals and portrayed them as unnatural and dangerous. During the same time, McCarthy was accusing people of being homosexual to effectively end their careers as a reaction to criticism of him and his policies. This therefore lead to an increase of fear of being accused of being a homosexual as it could lead to a shattered career; the paranoia was so high that if someone was merely in their 30s and single then there was a high chance that they could be labelled as homosexual. This links into Miles character, he is a character that is ostracised from society due to his refusal to conform. The fact that he is a male in his early 30s and is then ostracised signifies that he is ostracised due to suspicions regarding his sexuality. This film then reflects the attitudes of those in society towards homosexuality in the 50s.

The first implied meeting with the pod people is a police officer. The police officer is cold, distant and emotionless towards Miles, despite the fact that the two went to college together, thus implying that the police officer is a pod person. The fact that the first pod person that the audience meets is an authority figure is allegorical for how the American government instilled a society of conformity, as the American government used controlling and authoritarian measures to instil conformity. The fact that the first pod person met is an authority figure is also evidence for how the film is an allegorical story regarding conformity within society.