Psycho (Special Edition) (DVD)

...Frenzy. Anyway made in 1960 Psycho has become a cult classic.

The film starts off with a rather risqué scene for the time as out two main unmarried characters Marion (Janet Leigh) and Sam (John Gavin) are getting dressed after a sexual encounter. Hitchcock had promised the censors he would re-shoot the opening scene but didn't due to the actors not turning up (and I presume Hitchcock wasn't going to push them) so the scene stayed. ...
...become eponymous with the term psycho such is its fame. An excellently directed film as per usual with the great Alfred Hitchcock he manages to wring a lot of horror out considering the restrictions of the time. Like the _Reservoir Dogs_ ear scene what makes _Psycho_ great is that it let's your imagination run wild. Everything is implied, you don't have the same graphic detail as you have in today's films and for some this will make the film seem ... more

Everyone should watch Psycho. It's just one of those films you have to see. I personally like most Alfred Hitchcock films but out of all of them this is my second favourite after Frenzy. Anyway made in 1960 Psycho has become a cult classic.

The film starts off with a rather risqué scene for the time as out two main unmarried characters Marion (Janet Leigh) and Sam (John Gavin) are getting dressed after a sexual encounter. Hitchcock had promised the censors he would re-shoot the opening scene but didn't due to the actors not turning up (and I presume Hitchcock wasn't going to push them) so the scene stayed. Marion wants to have a respectable relationship with Sam but Sam can't as he can't afford it as he is paying his divorced wife and is already in debt. Marion then leaves to go to work where she meets a rather rich cowboy character who is ready to buy a house for his daughter in $40,000 dollars cash. A hell of a lot for 1960. Marion is entrusted by her boss to bank the money but the temptation is too much and Marion runs away to go to Sam.

She stops at an empty motel in the night run by a lonely and initially pleasant young man called Norman Bates (Anthony Perkins). Bates is a very nice, accommodating man at first. He engages in small talk, carries Marion's bags and invites her to dinner at the house. A rather creepy looking house at the top of a hill beside the motel. Marion agrees and waits whilst Bates runs up to the house. Whilst sitting there she hears angry shouts from the window. An angry woman shouting in disgust at the idea of her son having a woman round the house. Bates returns with sandwiches and tries to apologise for his mother but when Marion recommends seeking mental help Norman takes a dark turn.

Then we have the famous shower scene. I think you can really tell how great a film is by how many times it has been parodied and this scene has been parodied so many times. Like the way people imitate the Jaws music when they are talking about sharks or whatever. People always think of the Psycho music when it comes to stabbing. The latest parody of the shower scene that I've seen was in Looney Tunes: Back In Action with Bugs Bunny in the shower. (That's actually not a bad film either by the way)

Anyway for some reason Sam had never actually left the town where Marion set off from and he is found by Marion's sister and a private detective hired by Marion's boss. The Private detective goes of to investigate and then Sam and Marion's sister (Vera Miles). Revelations are made concerning Bates' mother and then the film has the classic ending and twist that I think most people already know.

_Psycho_ is a classic. Everyone's heard of Norman Bates, everyone knows of the shower scene and everyone knows the music. Norman Bates has become eponymous with the term psycho such is its fame. An excellently directed film as per usual with the great Alfred Hitchcock he manages to wring a lot of horror out considering the restrictions of the time. Like the Reservoir Dogs ear scene what makes Psycho great is that it let's your imagination run wild. Everything is implied, you don't have the same graphic detail as you have in today's films and for some this will make the film seem tame but I enjoyed it and thought it was well done.

The film is in black and white which I believe only adds to the atmosphere. There are lots of scenes of people in shadows, shadows lying across faces and the dark scenery. I don't think colour would have had the same effect here. The quality of the DVD is also very good. Of course it is made from an old film so you get the odd gravely flashes but it's been cleaned up nicely and they're hardly noticeable and when it comes to horror it all adds to the effect. Just look at the effort Robert Rodriguez and Quentin Tarantino put in just to get worn looking film in Grindhouse. I heard Edgar Wright for his fake trailer section actually took the film and walked around a park dragging the film after him to get the effect.

This film I think isn't too scary by today's standards. But it is enjoyable as a horror and thriller. I like it as a horror due to the normality of the Bates family. The sheriff knows them and insists they're good people. Bates seems like a nice young man at first. It created the fear of the enemy within. The normal people who you don't know a lot about. You will know to run at the very sight of Freddy Kreugar, Leatherface and whoever but this is scarier as it could be your next door neighbour.

The acting I also liked. Perkins especially was fantastic as Bates. The way his character changes from the amicable motel runner to the dark loner.

My DVD cost me something like a fiver it was bought ages ago but still an excellent price. It was a collectors edition but didn't really have all that many extras. However, it did have a trailer for the film and I have to say this is the best trailer of all time. It has Alfred Hitchcock himself walk around the set telling the story of the events as if they really happened and of course as the master of suspense he only leaves you with snippets of information and lets you mull over what he could mean. For instance at one point he points to a picture and says "This picture is of very great importance" stares at the camera and moves on. This is a trailer technique I believe Hitchcock used more than once. Much better than a the typical dramatic voice spouting lies about how terrifying some crap film is with lots of flashes of people screaming and running.

Then we have the production notes which were quite interesting. The film is based on a novel which is based on the true story of Ed Gein (There is an excellent documentary on Ed Gein with the new Texas Chainsaw Massacre DVD as it is also based on Ed Gein) Another interesting fact that I found here was that Hitchcock wanted it so that whenever the film started the doors were closed and no-one was allowed in. You had to be there at the beginning. Also when it was released it was so popular there was a three mile queue for the drive in cinema in New Jersey. Then we have some filmographies of the cast and Hitchcock.

I recommend this film to everyone. It should be watched by all. It's quite mild by today's standards and at the most I'd consider it a twelve. Such was its success that it has also spawned three sequels all starring Perkins as Bates and he also directed Psycho III. I haven't seen these but I do own them so expect reviews at some point. There is also a remake DO NOT WATCH THE NEW VERSION. IT'S GOT VINCE VAUGHN IN IT AND IT IS CRAP.

Here is the cool trailer

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EzAnE4zuYuA

Who I'd like to punch in this film

Inevitably in every film there is someone who annoys me and I think in my reviews from now on I'll add a punch section. In this film it would definitely be the rich idiot cowboy man. Flaunting is money trying to act. Definitely the worst actor in the film and very deserving of a punch.

Length

1hr 39 minutes.

.

. 

...less