SSC Film Studies

Invasion of the Body Snatchers

Introduction:

The film opens with a sense of panic; the noise and visual image of a police siren/car rushing into a medical office, this isn't a normal view of America diving right into the problem without a reason why/for this isn't what the audience expects, this sequence is used to represent society of the 50's - the fear, paranoia and panic of which society held, this film is reflective of the 50's and the time McCarthy was in power. This sequence at the very beginning of the film shows the audience exactly what this film is about; the minority becoming the majority and all the themes that surround it; fear of others, paranoia and communism. 

At the start of the film we see a 'normal' town, the vast majority of which are upholding the status quo of the 50's as the film isn't about physical differences, the minority only show symptoms of a psychological condition, showing the themes the film intends to explore; the fear of others, communism and paranoia all being psychological. in the 1950's the US states where in a sense of panic; duck and cover exercises were carried out in public places; such as schools, news reels and cinema's forever keeping the discourse and paranoia surrounded by the threat of nuclear weapons in society. Those seen to deviate from the status quo are described as a 'minor problem' this refers to McCarthy's rise to power, starting from a low position of power, he gradually convinced people to conform and support him; enhancing his influence as more and more people supported his views gradually. The scene with the police officer is significant, he's a pod - as they are seen as a authority figure; giving them a greater influence over people as they are seen to have more power than the average member of the public causing more people to conform/think he's right - reflective to McCarthy's rise to power as he aimed for authority figures to agree with his views, in the chance that they could influence the general public. 

The film being set in Santamira completely contrasts to war of the worlds, deviating from the iconic figure of New York, this film is set in a small isolated town. The setting is used to represent all small towns in America, the town is used to show that this is a small issue, which becomes a gradual national threat. The use of the small town rather than a big city shows that the entire nation is under threat rather than just one major city, the small town is used as a microcosm of America in general. This is reflective of society in the time the film was released as it signified the apparent threat of nuclear warfare in society at the time.
 In the 1950's the fear of a common enemy is the norm, the fear of others was apparent in the 1950's due to the atomic bomb known as 'little boy' dropped by the USSR and being post War World 2, the increase in paranoia, fear of others and fear of nuclear warfare was prevalent and magnified even before the release of this film and McCarthy's rise to power. Anyone seen outside the status quo was seen as an outsider or 'other' they weren't to be trusted in fear they were a russian spy.  

The hero of the film is seen to be your normal; everyday, relatable man significant to the film/society as it shows that everyone can be unified to fight this problem, until they are overwhelmed by the minority.