Invasion-McCarthyism and Groupthink (Paper 6)

Barrett Ford – Formal Revision (Paper 6)

Released in 1956 and directed by Don Siegel, Invasion of the Body Snatchers has been received in a variety of ways. Many people simply see it as a science fiction or horror movie. As a film, Invasion of the Body Snatchers was well ahead of its time. It is much more entertaining and suspenseful than many of the terrible horror movies that are currently being produced. However, many people have seen this horror classic not only as a movie but also as a political interpretation or allegory. The two most popular interpretations were and still are that of viewing the film as a representation of the political aggression of Communists (mainly in Russia), or of the Red Scare investigations performed by Senator McCarthy in response to the threat of Communism. In Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1956), the film aims to parallel the invasion of the pod people and the means by which they attempt to take over the human race with the effects of groupthink and mass hysteria, while focusing in on the effects of McCarthyism during the Red Scare.

McCarthyism provides a great example of groupthink and hysteria for Invasion of the Body Snatchers to focus in on because of how it affected people during the 1950s and the fact that the film was produced during the Red Scare. McCarthy, a senator from Wisconsin, and his men comprised the House Committee on Un-American Activities (Whitehead). This committee, which utilized many self-appointed powers, engaged in forceful and deceptive means to do what they deemed was best for America during the 1950s. All of these investigations extended from the Cold War which was not a war at all but a “political fabrication” (Whitehead). The Cold War was a result of the power that both the Soviet Union and the United States had gained in the post-World War I era as well as the nuclear technology that both countries had attained. McCarthy blacklisted notable members of Hollywood and many others and called them before the Committee to be questioned about being affiliated with the Communist party (Whitehead). These interrogations were more like accusations led by McCarthy who specialized in wild attacks and humiliations of people (Whitehead). Many of the accused lost their jobs; some even committed suicide (Whitehead).

In John Whitehead’s essay he discusses the impact of the McCarthy investigations and how Invasion of the Body Snatchers is a political allegory that represents them. He discusses how people were forced to become “pod-like” in cooperating with McCarthy and his committee, and that there was a “pod-like uniformity” that took over Hollywood as a result of all the threats and blacklistings that took place. Clearly, this is an accurate interpretation of the parallel between people during the Red Scare and the characters in the movie. The characters in the movie were forced to give up the right to say what they felt or to express themselves much in the same way that Americans had to say what the government wanted to hear during the Red Scare of the 1950’s. The people in the movie also had their lives ruined if they did not cooperate, much like the members of Hollywood and others who were targeted by McCarthy. In Tim Dirks’ general overview of the movie he also lists the “the sweeping mass hysteria” that was brought on by the McCarthy Red Scare investigations as a possible interpretation of the film.

In addition to the McCarthyism view, Dirks also lists several other interpretations that need to be taken into account. One of these possibilities is the loss of our individuality and ability to have emotion or think for ourselves as a result of “conformity and group-think.” This is definitely a plausible interpretation as the pod people in the movie could be seen as not McCarthy or the Communists but simply the idea of conforming to the majority. Communism is, however, what he lists as the major theme or idea behind the film. This “dehumanization,” as Dirks calls it, can definitely be seen as an influence on the film because Communism dehumanized people in much the same way McCarthyism did.

It could even be said that the Communist themes are mixed in with the McCarthyism themes discussed earlier. When the people of Santa Mira are taken over by the pod people, their bodies are replicated and replace their old ones. It is unclear where the old ones disappear to, although this process is supposed to make everyone equal. At the same time that everyone becomes equal, however, they completely lose the personalities and emotions they once had. This process could also mirror the effect that Communism has on society, but it parallels just as well with the way people were forced to act like a different person or lie about their past during the Red Scare. Another obvious similarity between the film and either McCarthyism or Communism is that the transformed individuals are aware of the changes they have gone through and work to convert others. For example, when Becky wakes up from her very brief sleep, she makes Miles aware of her change and tries to persuade him to give in. The people of Santa Mira act as if they have been extremely brainwashed once they are taken over by the “pod version” of themselves. The “converted” people in the town even become avid supporters of the pod people’s ways. This more parallels the way that Americans during the 1950’s were convinced to support the hunt for Communists than to the situation of citizens in Communist countries. However, a large number of the citizens of Russia were brainwashed into supporting exactly what they should have been fighting against once they realized that the Socialist form of government was failing them. This ability to recognize one’s own change and the ability to be falsely convinced can be representative of the effects of McCarthyism, Communism, and group-think.

However, McCarthyism is the best explanation for the themes in Invasion of the Body Snatchers because the behavior of the “pod people” and the way they hunt down the others is more easily related to how McCarthy and his men hunted down people who supposedly supported the Communist party. McCarthy did not care who it was as long as that person could be made an example to the American people of how Communist supporters would be dealt with. This also parallels the blindness with which the pod people hunted down their victims. At the end of the movie the citizens of Santa Mira chased after Miles and Becky simply because they were the only normal ones left. There is also the fact that the makers of the movie were understandably more influenced by Hollywood blacklistings than Communism in Russia. Even after analyzing these points, it could be argued that Communism or the simple idea of mass hysteria is the intended meanings. Despite the fact that McCarthyism is the best specific allegorical parallel for the film, the broader idea of mass hysteria and groupthink probably do a better job of covering the large scope of parallels between the movie and society during the fifties. This point reveals that there is a larger theme at work within the movie: the effects that mass hysteria and groupthink can have on society. McCarthyism is simply the example of mass hysteria or groupthink that is most focused on in the film.

Whitehead, in addition to discussing the theme of McCarthyism in the movie, also discusses its relevance to our society today. He believes that the movie could also be representative of the political atmosphere following the 9/11 terrorist attacks. This is definitely a supportable argument. Many of the actions that took place after the attacks in 2001 were similar to the ones that took place during the Red Scare. People were abused, ostracized, taken into custody, or questioned simply for being Arab, much in the same way that people were falsely accused or blacklisted during the Cold War Era. It was also extremely hard for Arabs to keep jobs or lead successful lives, and some were even beaten or killed. Congressional committees were erected to conduct investigations, although for better reasons than during the McCarthy hearings, and people were looked down upon if they were not patriotic or loyal enough to their country. This can still be seen today in the Iraq War Era; although, it is more acceptable to protest the Iraq War than it is to be unpatriotic following a terrorist attack. However, the effects of mass hysteria and groupthink are still evident, and patriotism is a major reason for this. It could even be said these two eras (the Red Scare and the 2000’s), although 50 years apart, are surprisingly similar in their political climates and their relevance to the themes of this movie. McCarthyism, as a representative of the broader ideas of mass hysteria and groupthink, is simply the best, most relevant explanation for the political themes in Invasion of the Body Snatchers, and the film’s themes still hold true today for the more recent political climate in the United States.

Invasion of the Body Snatchers not only holds true today or in this decade, but it also applies to an audience of college-aged students at a university such as Alabama. Groupthink and hysteria does not just apply to times of war or crisis. It can also apply to social situations or other scenarios encountered while at college. Peer pressure or “fads” are just two of the examples of how the behavior of the masses can negatively or positively influence others. McCarthyism (or Communism) can simply be considered an example of groupthink or hysteria that is overblown and has a lot more at stake. Invasion of the Body Snatchers does an excellent job of cinematically interpreting what effects groupthink and hysteria can have on society or people in general. It can also be considered a reliable source on this topic because it was made during a time in which groupthink and mass hysteria were frightening, serious issues. In addition to depicting these themes well, it is also a quality, entertaining film. Unlike many of the films shown during most English or History classes, this film kept me alert and intrigued until the credits started rolling.

Works Cited

Dirks, Tim. “General Review for Invasion of the Body Snatchers.” 1996. 27 September 2007. http://www.filmsite.org/inva.html.

Siegel, Don. Invasion of the Body Snatchers. 1956.

Whitehead, John W. “Invasion of the Body Snatchers: A Tale for Our Times.” Gadfly Online. 1998. 27 September 2007. http://www.gadflyonline.com/11-26-01/film-snatchers.html