BODY SNATCHERS
US, 1993, 87 minutes. Colour.
Terry Kinney, Meg Tilly, Gabrielle Anwar, Reilly Murphy, Billy Wirth, Christine Elise, R. Lee Ermey, Kathleen Doyle, Forest Whitaker.
Directed by Abel Ferrara.
Body Snatchers is based on the celebrated novel by Jack Finney, made into a classic film by Don Siegel in the 1950s with Kevin Mc Carthy. It was made on a rather lavish scale in 1978 by Philip Kaufman with Donald Sutherland. There was to be a later version, The Invasion with Nicole Kidman and Jeremy Northam, a critical failure, directed by Oliver Hirschbiegel (Downfall).
This film was directed by Abel Ferrara, better known for his rather stark and sometimes exploitative dramas like King of New York, Bad Lieutenant. This film was made immediately after Snake Eyes and Bad Lieutenant and before The Funeral.
Terry Kinney tended to play supporting and character roles but is the central figure of Steve Malone, the scientist who becomes aware of the human pods and the transformation of human beings by aliens. The focus is on Gabrielle Anwar as his rebellious teenage daughter. Meg Tilly is the stepmother – who is rather frightening when she is eventually taken over by the aliens, especially her stare, pointing and scream. The supporting cast includes R. Lee Ermey as the film is set on a military site. Forest Whitaker is the paranoid major.
The film is brief, takes the key elements of the Jack Finney story, transfers them to the 1990s, places them on an army base which offers more grounds for paranoia than the ordinary small town.
In the past, the film was interpreted both liberally and conservatively by the infiltration of alien groups, either the communists, or the liberals. In this film, the target is the military mind which wants to control and allegedly improve civilisation. The aliens believed in conformity and the film argues in favour of freedom. However, Ferrara gives a rather sombre ending, even pessimistic.
1. The classic of the 1950s? The range of remakes? This film in the succession of remakes?
2. 1950s paranoia, 1970s and the remake, the 1990s and the army? Psychological background of the 21st century version?
3. The basic plot, from the B-science fiction films of the 50s? Ordinary people, aliens and pods, taking over the human bodies, eliminating emotions, wanting order and avoiding conflict, yet ruthless? The emphasis on the need for freedom and humanity?
4. The director, his reputation, the cast?
5. The 1990s setting, the army base, the background of the first Gulf War and Kuwait? The decision to move the base? The opportunity for this kind of alien invasion and takeover? The picture of the military? The visiting scientist and his discovery of the takeover?
6. The importance of the family focus, Marti and her voice-over, her father and his scientific background, Carol as the stepmother – and Marti disliking her? The brother, his place in the family? The move, the army, the scientific research, going to the house, the episode at the gas station, the warning by the major about not going to sleep? The introduction of the paranoia theme?
7. The settling in, the tensions, the father and his going to the laboratory, working, meeting the military? Tim, his being young, the episode in the bar, the violence? The introduction of General Platt? His daughter, the contrast, her meeting Marti? The scientist and his discussions with the general?
8. The family, work, the accident and the deal, the phone call, advice?
9. Marti, her friendship with Jenn? Their going out, Marti defying her father, the late return, the father and his anger, his daughter’s anger?
10. The night, the stepmother and the takeover, the boy and his fear, the denunciation, getting out of the house?
11. Marti, hiding, the military, the pods, Marti being saved? Carol and her pointing and screaming?
12. The authorities, the general, his declarations about society?
13. Tim, his friends, the helicopter, the blasts – and the friends turning into aliens? Pursuing Tim?
14. The father, his concern, trying to save his family, the reaction to Carol and her being turned? The search for his son? The shock of his being taken over? Jenn and her being transformed, an opposite personality? Her mother? The boy, wanting to be saved – and then his pointing and screaming?
15. The helicopter, Tim and the rescue, the boy and his fighting with Tim, thrown out of the helicopter?
16. Everybody being regimented, the march, the complete takeover?
17. The major, his fears, not wanting to go to sleep, his speech, defying the general, shooting himself?
18. The escape – and Carol asking where they would escape to? No-one left, the complete transformation? The pessimistic ending for Marti and Tim?
19. How effective as science fiction? As a comment on American society and world society in the 1990s?
