Classic Sci-Fi: Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1956), Scene by Scene
This course explores a key work of science fiction cinema of the 1950s: Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1956), scene by scene. It will consider the film's production, critical reception, reputation, and its relationship to other science fiction 'invasion' films of the 1950s, while also considering its legacy through a series of remakes which re-imagine the central themes of the original film.
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This online film studies course explores the classic 1950s science fiction film, Invasion of the Body Snatchers, scene by scene. We will be considering its production and a range of critical and popular responses to the film, and its reputation as, arguably, the definitive invasion narrative of the celebrated 1950s cycle of sci-fi films - though perhaps more generally too - a status, we will note, derived from its sophisticated handling of its 'us and them' theme, a quality that the course will argue is as relevant today as it was seventy years ago.
We will also be situating the film as part of the aforementioned group of science fiction films of the 1950s, many of which deal with the theme of invasion. While we will be exploring the film in depth we will also be considering three remakes: Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1978), Body Snatchers (1993) and The Invasion (2007), and will note the ways in which the idea of invasion functions in each film and the way that each offers a variation on the original's key themes.
What will we cover?
An in depth analysis of the film, its structure, style and themes
The film's production, critical reception, reputation and legacy
The film's relationship with other science fiction films of the 1950s (and in particular, other 'invasion' films)
The film's critical reputation and its legacy for science fiction cinema
A series of remakes of the film and their re-imagining of the original film's key themes
Science fiction cinema of the 1950s and genre
What will I achieve? By the end of this course you should be able to...
Evaluate the film in terms of its structure, style and themes
Describe and evaluate the film's production, critical reception, reputation and legacy
Evaluate the film's relationship with other science fiction films of the 1950s (and in particular, other 'invasion' films)
Evaluate The film's critical reputation and its legacy for science fiction cinema
Evaluate a series of remakes and their re-imagining of the original film's key themes
Describe science fiction cinema of the 1950s and its relationship with concepts of genre
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
The course is suitable for all levels and you do not require any particular skills - just an enthusiasm for film and discussing film. The course will provide an introduction to the subject but will also be useful for those wishing to build on existing knowledge in the subject area.
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
Screenings of extracts from films, talks by the tutor, reading materials, small and large group discussions. It might also be a good idea to see what you can find out about the subject in advance of the class but this is not essential.
Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?
You will require a pen and paper (or laptop/device) but the tutor will provide all other materials such as handouts. The tutor will show extracts from films and you do not have to obtain them.
When I've finished, what course can I do next?
Look for other Film Studies courses under History Culture and Writing/Film Studies at www.citylit.ac.uk.
Jon Wisbey teaches film at City Lit and Morley College. He was for many years a committee member and vice-chair of Chelmsford Film Club, screening contemporary and classic world cinema releases. He has an MA in Film Studies from the University of East Anglia. His teaching focuses on classical and post-classical Hollywood, European cinema, British cinema, film noir and horror cinema.
Please note: We reserve the right to change our tutors from those advertised. This happens rarely, but if it does, we are unable to refund fees due to this. Our tutors may have different teaching styles; however we guarantee a consistent quality of teaching in all our courses.
product
https://www.citylit.ac.uk/classic-sci-fi-invasion-of-the-body-snatchers-1956-scene-by-scene2745119Classic Sci-Fi: Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1956), Scene by Scenehttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/category/50-films-HF004-1024.jpg6969GBPInStock/Courses/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Film studies/Introductory & general/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Film studies/Courses/Online courses228511771548158017311228511771580<p>This course explores a key work of science fiction cinema of the 1950s: <em>Invasion of the Body Snatchers</em> (1956), scene by scene. It will consider the film's production, critical reception, reputation, and its relationship to other science fiction 'invasion' films of the 1950s, while also considering its legacy through a series of remakes which re-imagine the central themes of the original film.</p>002745035Classic Sci-Fi: Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1956), Scene by Scene6969https://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/category/50-films-HF004-1024.jpgInStockDaytimeSatOnlineAvailable courses1 to 4 weeksWeekend2026-05-16T00:00:00+00:00Beginners, Some experience, Advanced, Suitable for allMay 2026Culture, history & humanitiesHF0216969Classic Sci-Fi: Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1956), Scene by Scene554569Jon Wisbeyclassic-sci-fi-invasion-of-the-body-snatchers-1956-scene-by-scene/hf021-2526<p>This course explores a key work of science fiction cinema of the 1950s: <em>Invasion of the Body Snatchers</em> (1956), scene by scene. It will consider the film's production, critical reception, reputation, and its relationship to other science fiction 'invasion' films of the 1950s, while also considering its legacy through a series of remakes which re-imagine the central themes of the original film.</p>0000-Available|2026-05-16 00:00:00<p>This online film studies course explores the classic 1950s science fiction film, <em>Invasion of the Body Snatchers</em>, scene by scene. We will be considering its production and a range of critical and popular responses to the film, and its reputation as, arguably, the definitive invasion narrative of the celebrated 1950s cycle of sci-fi films - though perhaps more generally too - a status, we will note, derived from its sophisticated handling of its 'us and them' theme, a quality that the course will argue is as relevant today as it was seventy years ago.</p><p> </p><p>We will also be situating the film as part of the aforementioned group of science fiction films of the 1950s, many of which deal with the theme of invasion. While we will be exploring the film in depth we will also be considering three remakes: <em>Invasion of the Body Snatchers</em> (1978), <em>Body Snatchers</em> (1993) and <em>The Invasion</em> (2007), and will note the ways in which the idea of invasion functions in each film and the way that each offers a variation on the original's key themes.</p><p>This course explores a key work of science fiction cinema of the 1950s: <em>Invasion of the Body Snatchers</em> (1956), scene by scene. It will consider the film's production, critical reception, reputation, and its relationship to other science fiction 'invasion' films of the 1950s, while also considering its legacy through a series of remakes which re-imagine the central themes of the original film.</p><ul><li>An in depth analysis of the film, its structure, style and themes</li><li>The film's production, critical reception, reputation and legacy</li><li>The film's relationship with other science fiction films of the 1950s (and in particular, other 'invasion' films)</li><li>The film's critical reputation and its legacy for science fiction cinema</li><li>A series of remakes of the film and their re-imagining of the original film's key themes</li><li>Science fiction cinema of the 1950s and genre</li></ul><ul><li>Evaluate the film in terms of its structure, style and themes</li><li>Describe and evaluate the film's production, critical reception, reputation and legacy</li><li>Evaluate the film's relationship with other science fiction films of the 1950s (and in particular, other 'invasion' films)</li><li>Evaluate The film's critical reputation and its legacy for science fiction cinema</li><li>Evaluate a series of remakes and their re-imagining of the original film's key themes</li><li>Describe science fiction cinema of the 1950s and its relationship with concepts of genre</li></ul><p>The course is suitable for all levels and you do not require any particular skills - just an enthusiasm for film and discussing film. The course will provide an introduction to the subject but will also be useful for those wishing to build on existing knowledge in the subject area.</p><p>Screenings of extracts from films, talks by the tutor, reading materials, small and large group discussions. It might also be a good idea to see what you can find out about the subject in advance of the class but this is not essential.</p><p>You will require a pen and paper (or laptop/device) but the tutor will provide all other materials such as handouts. The tutor will show extracts from films and you do not have to obtain them.</p><p>Look for other Film Studies courses under History Culture and Writing/Film Studies at www.citylit.ac.uk.</p>Film studiesIntroductory & generalvirtual556945HF021NONESat16/05/26 - 23/05/2610:30 - 13:0010:3013:002 sessions (over 2 weeks)21 to 4 weeksDaytimeWeekendOnlineOnlineJon WisbeyBeginners, Some experience, Advanced, Suitable for allAvailable courses2026-05-16T00:00:00+00:00May 2026Culture, history & humanities6969Classic Sci-Fi: Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1956), Scene by Sceneclassic-sci-fi-invasion-of-the-body-snatchers-1956-scene-by-scene/hf021-2526<p>This course explores a key work of science fiction cinema of the 1950s: <em>Invasion of the Body Snatchers</em> (1956), scene by scene. It will consider the film's production, critical reception, reputation, and its relationship to other science fiction 'invasion' films of the 1950s, while also considering its legacy through a series of remakes which re-imagine the central themes of the original film.</p>0000-Available|2026-05-16 00:00:00<p>This online film studies course explores the classic 1950s science fiction film, <em>Invasion of the Body Snatchers</em>, scene by scene. We will be considering its production and a range of critical and popular responses to the film, and its reputation as, arguably, the definitive invasion narrative of the celebrated 1950s cycle of sci-fi films - though perhaps more generally too - a status, we will note, derived from its sophisticated handling of its 'us and them' theme, a quality that the course will argue is as relevant today as it was seventy years ago.</p><p> </p><p>We will also be situating the film as part of the aforementioned group of science fiction films of the 1950s, many of which deal with the theme of invasion. While we will be exploring the film in depth we will also be considering three remakes: <em>Invasion of the Body Snatchers</em> (1978), <em>Body Snatchers</em> (1993) and <em>The Invasion</em> (2007), and will note the ways in which the idea of invasion functions in each film and the way that each offers a variation on the original's key themes.</p><p>This course explores a key work of science fiction cinema of the 1950s: <em>Invasion of the Body Snatchers</em> (1956), scene by scene. It will consider the film's production, critical reception, reputation, and its relationship to other science fiction 'invasion' films of the 1950s, while also considering its legacy through a series of remakes which re-imagine the central themes of the original film.</p><ul><li>An in depth analysis of the film, its structure, style and themes</li><li>The film's production, critical reception, reputation and legacy</li><li>The film's relationship with other science fiction films of the 1950s (and in particular, other 'invasion' films)</li><li>The film's critical reputation and its legacy for science fiction cinema</li><li>A series of remakes of the film and their re-imagining of the original film's key themes</li><li>Science fiction cinema of the 1950s and genre</li></ul><ul><li>Evaluate the film in terms of its structure, style and themes</li><li>Describe and evaluate the film's production, critical reception, reputation and legacy</li><li>Evaluate the film's relationship with other science fiction films of the 1950s (and in particular, other 'invasion' films)</li><li>Evaluate The film's critical reputation and its legacy for science fiction cinema</li><li>Evaluate a series of remakes and their re-imagining of the original film's key themes</li><li>Describe science fiction cinema of the 1950s and its relationship with concepts of genre</li></ul><p>The course is suitable for all levels and you do not require any particular skills - just an enthusiasm for film and discussing film. The course will provide an introduction to the subject but will also be useful for those wishing to build on existing knowledge in the subject area.</p><p>Screenings of extracts from films, talks by the tutor, reading materials, small and large group discussions. It might also be a good idea to see what you can find out about the subject in advance of the class but this is not essential.</p><p>You will require a pen and paper (or laptop/device) but the tutor will provide all other materials such as handouts. The tutor will show extracts from films and you do not have to obtain them.</p><p>Look for other Film Studies courses under History Culture and Writing/Film Studies at www.citylit.ac.uk.</p>Film studiesIntroductory & generalconfigurable
15481580Introductory & generalhttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/courses/humanities/film-studies/introductory-general1/2/285/1177/1580/15481/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Film studies/Introductory & general
