Invasion of the Body Snatchers

It is often said that films reflect the time they were made. In this case Invasion of the Body Snatchers emerged from the time of McCarthyism.During the 1940's and 1950's there was paranoia and a fear of 'others'. This meant that minority groups such as homosexuals, people of a different race, people who follow a different religion, communists and all who do not fit with the american status quo were feared.
Invasion of the Body Snatchers opens in a state of panic, fear and paranoia as during this time America was really feeling that fear from threats just like they are under threat in the film. At the beginning Dr Miles Bennell is positioned as an 'other' straight away

There was a lot of pressure to fit in with the american status quo. For example being married with children, heterosexual, catholic/christian and your political affiliation being Republican. At the time Republicans didn't like change and wanted to uphold traditional american values. This is not what the film is about but the time and society it came from.

Dr Miles Bennell establishes that the status quo is still present. All the environment is normal. However there a few anomalies that realise something isn't right. Uncle Ira's niece, Wilma and a young boy named Jimmy who are both patients of Dr Bennell are called deluded and ignored because they are a minority.

Invasion of the Body Snatchers opens in a state of panic to show links to the real world at the time to establish a connection to the audience at the time and also gives viewers today an idea of what was going on. A specific threat  is present however it is not visible immediately. Because of this the threat is psychological it represents homosexuality and communism being considered ideologies at the time.

There are many links to what was really going on in 1950's America however the film is set in a fictional town called Santa Mira. Why would the director not set the film in a popular well known city? This is a small town to represent every small town in America.

Sally who works with Miles tells him several patients cancelled their appointments with him. This reflects the real world and indicates people have complaints but keep quiet so they are not seen as being one of the 'others' therefore seen as a threat. However these people had been waiting for Miles to return as he is the only doctor they want.This shows that he is respected, trusted and is a town icon.
This perhaps identifies him as a trusted leader.

Miles listens to the police who at the time are pod people. However he still listens because everyone listens too and believes authority figures.This is shown in the scene were Miles knows what he saw however because a police officer tells him he imagined it, he believes what he saw wasn't really there. This also reflects the real world at the time. People would believe anything the government told them instead of their own beliefs/ideologies.

. scenes in the film that relate to fear and paranoia