Content
on this page includes excerpts of various reviews of The Mind Snatchers,
released in 1972.
Excerpt from
DVD Talk, May 25, 2003 (John
Marcotte):
"Christopher
Walken.
I’ve just summed up in two words the only reason that anyone would
have released the forgotten The Mind Snatchers. Not that
The Mind
Snatchers is a bad film, but it certainly isn’t a good film either.
And the only thing that
rescued it from the dustbin of time is that it represents the first
starring role of a young actor named Christopher Walken. Walken
brings a dark charisma to the role of Pvt. James Reese, a
violent, misanthropic man who is sent to a secluded army hospital to
rest after breaking his arm...The movie was based on the play The
Happiness Cage. Heard of it? Me neither. But I’m betting it suffers
from some artificial language and more than a little
pretentiousness, ‘cause that’s what you get in the film. Although
Walken’s acting is a bit of
a saving grace."
Excerpt from
VideoCrypt.com (Chip Lamey):
"Based on the play, The Happiness Cage, The
Mind Snatchers is a eerie, claustrophobic little science
fiction/horror tale. Not great, mind you, but
certainly worth seeing.
Private James Reese (Christopher Walken in a very early role) is a
whacked out, violent soldier stationed in Europe. He’s absolutely
bonkers--ready to fight anyone, able to take pain, and, yet,
somewhat mystical in thinking...Many of the sets have a “stagey”
look and the dialogue is wordier than most films. Likewise, much of
the action is implied rather than shown. Still, The Mind
Snatchers is a creepy look at how our government is probably all
too willing to make everyone be the same.
Christopher Walken fans
should pick this up, as he does an excellent job in the lead role."
Excerpt from
Bijou Flix (Dave Coleman):
"...features
one of Christopher Walken's strongest early performances. He
plays a neurotic American soldier stationed in Denmark who is sent
to an Army loony bin and tampered with ala Alex in A Clockwork
Orange. The similarities end there, however, between Kubrick's
work and this more One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest or The
Ninth Configuration toned effort. At the center of the movie's success is
the Midnight Cowboy-ish friendship that develops between Walken and
fellow inmate hick Ronny Cox, whose pathetic counter portrayal to
Walken's more icy veneer gives the movie an emotional balance often
lacking in most SF efforts."
Excerpt from
DVD Authority (Fusion3600):
"If nothing else, the release of
The Mind Snatchers is sure to generate some kind of buzz, thanks to
the presence of Christopher Walken. And unlike most of the films
that capitalize on an early appearance by a now well known star,
this one delivers and then some, since Walken is the lead. So we're
not treated to a cameo or even a supporting turn, as
Walken is
the central character here and drives the entire picture.
This isn't the kind of material we're used to seeing him in, but
he does
quite well and gives a more than effective performance. I've
found that a lot of stars have been less than impressive in their
early works, but that wasn't the case with Walken, who
proves
even back in this production that he was a gifted worker. In only
his third feature film project, Walken has the presence of a veteran
and never stumbles, thanks in part to the good material, but also
due to his own skills in front of the camera."
(Webmistress note:
Chris's portrayal of Private James Reese was his first starring
role. In addition to the alternate title "The Happiness Cage,"
the movie was also known as "The Demon Within.") |
