MovieChat Forums > Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1956) Discussion > A problem with the ending

A problem with the ending

posted 12 years ago by rgibson-20
2 replies | jump to latest

I enjoy this film immensely and it is my favorite of the Body Snatchers movies. However, when you know the back story about the ending - being rushed after production was (they thought) finished, so much so that the actors in those scenes were not even credited - it explains a little about why some of it is a little silly.

Most notable is the conduct of one of our old favorites, Whit Bissell. Upon learning of the truck full of mysterious giant seed pods, he tells the police to get on the radio and block all roads in and out of town. Really? Do police in California take operational orders from any MD? Next, he picks up the phone and says he wants to speak to the governor (just as Miles did from his home earlier). Does the guv take phone calls from any ol' doc at any hour of the day or night?

Don't get me wrong, I am a big fan of this movie, with or without the tacked-on ending. I was not at all offended. More like amused.

[–] brokedickdog7 12 years ago

I agree. This is from the trivia section-

"Don Siegel was very against the optimistic outcome of the movie, but the decision to give hope to the audience was forced upon him by the studio. Most people dislike the ending, agreeing with Siegel's original intention to end the film with Miles trying to warn people of the alien invaders, in vain."

[–] DracTarashV 11 years ago

Miles screaming on the highway would have been a haunting, unforgettable, and original ending. But honestly, I appreciate the optimistic ending, it was very well done.

Hey there, Johnny Boy, I hope you fry!