‘Invasion Of The Body Snatchers’…….. The Ness……
by Bernie Bell - 08:07 on 06 October 2025
‘Invasion Of The Body Snatchers’……..
I recently watched the original version of ‘Invasion of the Body Snatchers’ - and I recommend it…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Invasion_of_the_Body_Snatchers
I’ve seen the more recent one, starring Donald Sutherland, a few times and it’s very good, but I think the original has something of its own. Apart from the suspense of the story, I like the clothes, the cars, the style. And it’s a good, old-fashioned Sci-fi movie which doesn’t rely on Special Effects – it couldn’t rely on Special Effects - so it relies on creating atmosphere.
When the ‘body’ on the billiard table opens its eyes…….my oh my! In that scene, the wife of the man who is being ‘replaced’ screams….
“It’s alive….. it’s alive” - echoes of the original Frankenstein film….
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1qNeGSJaQ9Q
At the point at which the hero of the tale realises that his closest friends have become ‘Them’, they say….
“Everyone is the same”
“There’s no need for love”
And I thought - that’s something like what’s happening in American and British society – no diversity allowed and kindness/love is a weakness.
The version with Donald Sutherland ends on a hope-less note (I’m not going to give it away, if you’ve not seen it). I was thinking of the fact that the original version was made and set in the 1950’s and a similar ending wouldn’t have been welcome as the root of the tale is fear – fear of the American Way being lost – taken over and replaced by an alien way of being. At that time - it had to end as it does.
After the film ended I realised that, to clear the aliens the Military would need to wipe them out – though they look exactly like people. They’d need to do it, have to do it for humanity to survive and they would do it, as part of Military training appears to include un-questioning obedience to orders – without feeling – without love for your fellow human beings.
Showing feelings is what gives it away that someone is still human. I’m relating this to what the Military/Police are expected to do today – obey orders without thought or feeling - and be in trouble themselves if they don’t do so. But in the present scenario, not so much to preserve the American/British Way as to support those who are dismantling it.
I’ve often said that I don’t believe Elon Musk to be human.
PS
I noticed the hand-print superimposed on the poster - and thought of how much leaving our human prints means to us....
https://theorkneynews.scot/2021/10/29/prints/
***************************************************************
The Ness……
The Exhibition at Maes Howe Visitor Centre will be in place for a while yet….
https://www.nessofbrodgar.co.uk/visitor-centre-exhibition-extended/
If you can’t get there – the information boards are down-loadable.
Or……have a look at these….
http://www.spanglefish.com/berniesblog/blog.asp?blogid=16925
http://www.spanglefish.com/berniesblog/blog.asp?blogid=16998
Add your comment
