Films/DVD Asylum

Posted by AudioHead on October 14, 1999 at 14:03:45:

Thanks to superb direction, acting, writing, etc., this low-budget
film was transformed into a sci-fi classic. It's underlying motif was
what powered this little spinechiller: that is, it played upon one of our
deepest fears - the fear of losing one's individual identity by being
devoured by an inhuman force, whether it be an insect-society-political-
ideology or an alien constitution devoid of emotion.
The scene where the now alien(ated) town psychiatrist, Dr. Kauffman(Larry Gates) explains to the protagonists, Miles Bennel (Kevin McCarthy)
and Becky Driscoll (Dana Wynter) that all they have to do is go to sleep
and they will awaken as new creatures (duplicate pods are waiting) and they
will never again experience pain, hate, grief, etc., whereas, Bennel counters that they would also never feel love or joy - puts it in a nutshell.
The later scene where poor Becky unintentionally goes to sleep and
undergoes an irreversible transformation is a terrifying shock to Miles
(and the most powerful moment in the film) when he kisses her; Becky's
formerly warm, pliant lips are now cold and unyielding; her dark eyes now
totally devoid of humanity. To add to his pain, she screams for the other
aliens to come get him. The initial shock of incredulity rapidly gives
way to cold reality as Miles runs, runs...runs for his life!
Hats off to Director Don Siegel and crew!