Psycho Psycho (1960), a most influential and disturbing horror film - the previous holds no time barrier in that Psycho's influence on the films which followed is timeless and will never be dampened or overlooked while the latter, at least counts for its own era of motion picture making and certainly some years after if not all the way to present day - there is a base for good argument. You could find movies which are more disturbing - visually at least, but few have ever came close to the same level of brilliance as Psycho and a sparce amount deserve the same recognition this Hitchcock classic has aquired. Quite rightly so. The impact this film had at its time of release was enormous and will never be forgotten, ever, and possibly never surpassed either. Again there is grounds for argument but this film is a huge part of cinematic history and achievment and while Hitchcock was full of talent and had a whole slew of other movie masterpieces, Psycho will always be his most memorable. It is unbelievable that a film made three decades ago can still have so much influence in the way of how movies are made today and be appreciated by new generations alike and always to the highest degree. This alone shows us the power of this movie and one reason why it is so special. Another good reason why this film is so special is it contains one of the most shocking, if not THE most shocking murder scene in a movie ever to be shot ('Shower Scene') - surely for it's time (1960). This is certainly considered by a good majority. This scene alone shows us Hitchcock's ability and talent and sheer movie making cunning. The camera-work is phenomenal. On a side note, one key shot was cut from the final cut of Psycho, being an overhead shot which was very difficult for the camera man to shoot - much to the disapointment of Afred and the camera man in particular with this shot alone adding a great amount of power to the entire grisly scene. The scene itself obviously has a strong sexual element, it is after all, taking place in the shower. It was the fact that nothing like this had ever been done before, nobody expected it - nobody. And when it happened it left the audience shellshocked - or screaming, one of the two. People fling this line about, but Hitchcock took horror movies to a new level with Psycho. Shot in black and white when colour was being used adds to the authenticity of this film; it was a backward thing to do when the movie making industry was raving about colour now being used, and this was ofcourse a deliberate action on Alfred's part. Much symbolism runs throughout this picture with such subtle things you might not notice at first or not ever. Much genius manifests itself in Psycho. Janet Leigh's character of Marion Crane is first seen in her white underwear before stealing the money. This symbolises her innocence, but after stealing the money from her boss and bedding down at the 'Bates Motel' she has black underwear on - this symbolises her guilt, a different side to Marion. Just like there is obviously two sides to the troubled Norman Bates - much more imposing than underwear might I add - and all of these splits and sides meet in one astonishing scene which will never be forgotton by those who have seen it. The Psycho logo itself displays this theme - it is split across the middle. Full of surprises, the film leads you to believe Marion Crane is the major character, but it turns out to be Norman, and this was very strange indeed. A different angle from the usual heroine in the movies, we instead get a different character to focus on throughout most of the movie. A mysterious and troubled young man whom we don't know what to think about. All we know is there is something bothering him and people are being murdered by what appears to the first time audience as an old woman. You might think, "how hilarious," but I must disclose and disgress that it is a very disconcerting aspect of the movie: Norman's estranged 'mother'. As the plot thickens you are almost magnetically stuck while waiting to know what is really going on. The funny thing about Psycho is that Hitchcock claimed it was full of comedy and, it does has its moments, but to be fair to the 'master', it has a larger portion of scares and shocks than comic banter and intentionally funny camera work. The violent murder scenes are really what made this film different - they certainly over-ride any funny material - from any other of it's time and it is because of this that this film will always be remembered. A must see for the fan of the horror genre; without a doubt, you have to watch this movie. Predictably, it spawned many sequels, with two of them, Psycho II and Psycho III both good additions to the original in my opinion. Not a bit as good as the original, but worthy entries in the series nonetheless. Psycho III had a pretty shocking toilet scene, an obvious crack at the shower scene of the original and although not up to par and obviously relying on more blood and such, it is still a good crack at a classic murder scene. Very violent... To conclude, Psycho is masterpiece of movie making history, considered by many as the greatest horror film of all time. The Bernard Herrmann score is brilliant - those screeching, TEARING violins drill into your skull, leaving one uncomfortable. A truly amazing musical score which will stay with you as long as you live. Superb lighting, we all know what we are supposed to focus on, Hitchcock makes sure of this, the darkness too in this movie gives off a real morbid and creepy atmosphere - the house on the hill itself is a scary image and the camera work in general is magnificent to say the least with the shower scene in particular leaving a lasting impression. In all honesty just about every aspect of Psycho I can think of is good, that is what makes it so classic. It is a highly sophisticated film which needs much viewing to fully comprehend what you are watching and truly appreciate its greatness. Psycho is a film to be reckoned, no doubt about it... >>Back<< >>Archive Index<<