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Psycho
1960
Credited with inventing the genre of the modern horror film, PSYCHO has had its share of sequels and imitators, none of which diminishes the achievement of this shocking and complex horror thriller. Alfred Hitchcock's choreography of elements in PSYCHO is considered so perfect it inspired a shot-by-shot remake by Gus Van Sant .. Read more
| Starring | Anthony Perkins, Vera Miles, John Gavin, Janet Leigh |
|---|---|
| Director | Alfred Hitchcock |
| Genres | Thriller |
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Psycho
Credited with inventing the genre of the modern horror film, PSYCHO has had its share of sequels and imitators, none of which diminishes the achievement of this shocking and complex horror thriller. Alfred Hitchcock's choreography of elements in PSYCHO is considered so perfect it inspired a shot-by-shot remake by Gus Van Sant in 1998. However, Hitchcock's black-and-white original, featuring Anthony Perkins's haunting characterization of lonely motel keeper Norman Bates, has never been equaled. Bates presides over an out-of-the-way motel under the domineering specter of his mother. The young, well-intentioned Bates is introduced to the audience when Marion Crane (Janet Leigh), a blonde on the run with stolen money, checks in for the night. But Momma doesn't like loose women, so the stage is set for this classic tale of horror--and one of the most famous scenes in film history. PSYCHO was initially received by audiences with shock and amazement, and it still terrifies today. Though it is now considered prototypical Hitchcock, its setting, pace, and emphasis on terror were major departures for the director at the time, coming after the more classically grand NORTH BY NORTHWEST.
| Starring | Anthony Perkins, Vera Miles, John Gavin, Janet Leigh, Martin Balsam |
|---|---|
| Director | Alfred Hitchcock |
| Studio | UNIVERSAL PICTURES UK |
| Run time | DVD: 1 hr 49 mins |
| Certificate | |
| Collections | 100 Horror Films, 100 must-see movies, 100 Top Thrillers |
| Genres | Thriller |
| Language | English |
| Dubbed | German, Polish |
| Subtitles | Dutch, English, Swedish |
| Released | DVD: 28 Apr 2003 Production year: 1960 |
| Format | DVD |
Psycho (1960)
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Critics' reviews (3)
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Containing the most famous montage sequence since The Battleship Potemkin, this is easily the most shocking film produced by the “Master of Suspense”. Yet Alfred Hitchcock always maintained it was a black comedy. Working with a TV crew, he completed the picture for a mere $800,000. But the California Gothic tale of the Bates Motel went on to become his biggest commercial success. The opening segment, involving Janet Leigh and an envelope of stolen cash, is the biggest “MacGuffin” in Hitchcock's career. But his most audacious achievement was in getting us to side with Anthony Perkins's serial killer against the authorities, Leigh's lover and sister, and his incessantly shrewish mother.
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Curious shocker devised by Hitchcock as a tease and received by most critics as an unpleasant horror piece in which the main scene, the shower stabbing, was allegedly directed not by Hitchcock but by Saul Bass. After enormous commercial success it achieve
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Most helpful member's review
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11 out of 12 people found this review helpful
Contextual genius
You need to put this film into context to appreciate it. This was one of the first films of it's genre and largely based on psychological effect.
By today's standards it is easily described as slow lacking in the soughtafter gore and action of our times.
However, it is a well thought out and directed brainchild of Hitchcock and film enthousiastes should definately give it a try, although you definately need to put a night aside for it.
it is a film essential by any means. -
Most recent members' review
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1 out of 1 person found this review helpful
[Highly rated reviewer]
Pure Genius
I was so sad to hear they were actually remaking this movie a few years ago........why try and mess with perfection??This movie represents everything a psychological thriller should be.Clever.Disturbing.Simple.....in its entirety.Watching the modern day 'thrillers' after seeing this, you realise just how brilliant this movie is.Theres no reliance on big name actors, complicated storylines or special effects.Just fantastic movie making.Enjoy
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News and features
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The Trouble with Haneke
- 09 Nov 2009
Talking about Psycho, which celebrates its 50 anniversary next year, Alfred Hitchcock remarked how he was engaged in “the game with the audience”: “I was directing the viewers. You might say I was playing them, like an organ.” A funny kind of game, you might think. Perhaps it’s a stretch to link the Austrian filmmaker Michael Haneke to Hitchcock. He’s a virtuoso, no doubt, but he’s an art-house fixture, and not just because his movies are subtitled.... Read more
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Psycho
Credited with inventing the genre of the modern horror film, PSYCHO has had its share of sequels and imitators, none of which diminishes the achievement of this shocking and complex horror thriller. Alfred Hitchcock's choreography of elements in PSYCHO is considered so perfect it inspired a shot-by-...
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