Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1956) Signature Release - October 16, 2018

[scissorpuppy]

Evidently there was an Artisan special edition dvd planned back in the early 2000’s that Joe Dante & Kevin McCarthy recorded a commentary track for. The project was not completed in time before Artisan lost the Republic Pictures library rights. I’ve always heard the track was actually recorded, so it would be a great score if they found away to include this.

[cakefactory]

Originally Posted by scissorpuppy

Evidently there was an Artisan special edition dvd planned back in the early 2000’s that Joe Dante & Kevin McCarthy recorded a commentary track for. The project was not completed in time before Artisan lost the Republic Pictures library rights. I’ve always heard the track was actually recorded, so it would be a great score if they found away to include this.

If they have that, I'll buy it in a second. Otherwise, it's really going to depend on extras. I didn't like this version nearly as much as the 1978 or even 1993 versions (I'm a heathen, I know). I saw it third, so that has something to do with it, but that ending really kind of killed it for me. Much like Psycho! I know they were studio mandated, but yuck.

[gates70]

Day 1

[SeanJoyce]

Originally Posted by cakefactory

but that ending really kind of killed it for me. Much like Psycho! I know they were studio mandated, but yuck.

Man I'd love it if viewers got the choice to watch the movie as is or have it end where Siegel originally wanted it to. Technically one can always hit "Stop", but a switch to a black credit screen once the fade to the police station occurs would be awesome.

[noirjunkie]

Originally Posted by SeanJoyce

Man I'd love it if viewers got the choice to watch the movie as is or have it end where Siegel originally wanted it to. Technically one can always hit "Stop", but a switch to a black credit screen once the fade to the police station occurs would be awesome.

The original director's cut exists, and it aired on some PBS stations back in the 90s. That's actually how I first saw the film, and the original ending was a big part of why it had such an impact on me. If Olive can provide the option to watch it that way, it would be a major coup.

[Robert Furmanek]

The intended aspect ratio during principle photography was 1.85:1.

The original audio as heard theatrically was three-channel Perspecta Stereophonic sound. Paramount has restored these tracks.

[ric83]

it's up for preorder now at amazon.

Invasion of the Body Snatchers Blu-ray

[Mystic]

Originally Posted by ric83

it's up for preorder now at amazon.

Ouch, I hope that $39.95 pre-order price drops before release date.

[Pecker]

Originally Posted by Robert Furmanek

The intended aspect ratio during principle photography was 1.85:1.

The original audio as heard theatrically was three-channel Perspecta Stereophonic sound. Paramount has restored these tracks.

Bob, I have a book on IOTBS which contains the script and a whole stack of memos between various people involved - it's very comprehensive.

The only reference to this matter is that Don Siegel wasn't happy with the SuperScope version because he felt the optical process had damaged the quality of the picture, there is no reference to any displeasure at 2.00:1, which you'd have though there would be.

Do you have and further information? Much appreciated.

[Pecker]

Originally Posted by noirjunkie

The original director's cut exists, and it aired on some PBS stations back in the 90s. That's actually how I first saw the film, and the original ending was a big part of why it had such an impact on me. If Olive can provide the option to watch it that way, it would be a major coup.

I have an old LaserDisc with an interview with Kevin McCarthy where he's asked about this.

He says it's easy to do with the 'normal' version, you just start at after the prologue and stop it before the epilogue.

If there are no other differences you'd think it far from impossible to edit for disc.

[Vixen of the Night]

Originally Posted by cakefactory

If they have that, I'll buy it in a second. Otherwise, it's really going to depend on extras. I didn't like this version nearly as much as the 1978 or even 1993 versions (I'm a heathen, I know). I saw it third, so that has something to do with it, but that ending really kind of killed it for me. Much like Psycho! I know they were studio mandated, but yuck.

The ending of Psycho was not tacked on! If you've read the book(which isn't as great as the movie). It features a similar 'explanation' sequence by other characters mentioning what they heard the psychiatrist talk about.

I love the delivery of Simon Oakland as the psychiatrist and think it's a great sequence of the doctor indulging in himself as smarter than the people in the room. I actually wrote a similar sequence(with the character named Dr. Oakland) in a slasher script of mine that milks the humor out of it for those who'd get the reference. If only I could get the project made!

The studio ending of Body Snatcher's isn't terrible either, since while tacked on. There is still the possibility that

[Show spoiler]the pod people are taking over and winning. After-all, they got control of the phone lines, and pods have been shipping out long before the end of the movie. So the plot unfolds as people don't suspect a thing. So despite them contacting the military. The movie ends there and we're not left knowing what happens afterwards, and there is no guarantee they got to alert the military or the military could already be taken over?

It would be great to see the movie as originally intended though without those sequences and lacking the narration(which does give a noir vibe, but I know it's mostly explaining everything to the audience and not allowing the dread to unfold gradually as intended).