Philip Kaufman's clever 1978 update of the 1950s sci-fi classic is often celebrated for its merciless satirizing of the Me Decade mentality. After listening to the director on the new commentary track found on this 30th anniversary edition, it's clear that the humor was wholly intentional. While not quite as darkly comic today as it was during the era of EST and self-help, Invasion of the Body Snatchers still holds up well as a blissful horror hybrid. On the one hand, you have a collection of narcissistic characters (led by Donald Sutherland, Brooke Adams, and Leonard Nimoy) trying to defend San Francisco from a plague of pod people. On the other, you have a disconnected citizenry so caught up in themselves that they barely recognize (or try to resist) the oncoming alien invasion. Thanks to a combination of then-cutting-edge F/X and insightful writing (the screenplay is by cult director W.D. Richter), what could have been a campy throwback is instead a postmodern macabre classic. In addition to the audio commentary, DVD extras on this double-disc set include four featurettes (a retrospective with new cast and crew interviews, and segments on visual effects, sound, and cinematography) and liner notes. Highly recommended. (B. Gibron)
[Blu-ray Review—Sept. 28, 2010—MGM, 115 min., PG, Blu-ray: $24.99—Making its first appearance on Blu-ray, 1978's Invasion of the Body Snatchers sports a nice transfer with a DTS-HD soundtrack. Extras include a “Re-Visitors from Outer Space” making-of featurette (16 min.); the production featurettes “The Man Behind the Scream” on sound effects (13 min.), “The Invasion Will Be Televised” on cinematography (6 min.), and “Practical Magic” on special effects (5 min.); a bonus DVD copy of the film featuring audio commentary by director Philip Kaufman, and trailers. Bottom line: a solid Blu-ray debut for a fine horror remake.]
[4K/Blu-ray Review—Nov. 29, 2021—Kino Lorber, 2 discs, 115 min., PG, 4K/Blu-ray: $39.95—Making its debut on 4K and latest appearance on Blu-ray, Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1978) is presented with a stellar 4K image. The extensive extras include audio commentary by director Philip Kaufman; audio commentary by author/film historian Steve Haberman; interviews with actress Brooke Adams, screenwriter W.D. Richter, composer Denny Zeitlin, actor Art Hindle, and Jack Finney expert Jack Seabrook; behind-the-scenes featurettes; and TV and radio spots. Bottom line: Kaufman’s remake of a classic ‘50s sci-fi film sparkles on ultra high-def.]