Starring: Anthony Perkins, Janet Leigh, Martin Balsam, Vera Miles, John Gavin Directed By: Alfred Hitchcock Average Rating: Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1 Audience Rating: R (Restricted) Binding: DVD Format: Black & White, Closed-captioned, Collector's Edition, Dolby, Dubbed, DVD, Letterboxed, Subtitled, Widescreen, NTSC Number of Items: 1 Region Code: 1 Release Date: May 27, 1998 Running Time: 109 minutes Studio: Universal Studios Theatrical Release Date: June 16, 1960
Product Description: THIS SPECIAL EDITION FEATURES DELETED AND CENSORED SCENES. CONTAINS: THE MAKING OF PSYCHO DOCUMENTARY FEATURING INTERVIEWS WITH ALFRED HITCHCOCK'S DAUGHTER PATRICIA HITCHCOCK O'CONNELL, JANET LEIGH, AND SCREENWRITER JOSEPH STEFANO PLUS A CENSORED SCENE AND NEWSREEL FOOTAGE, SHOWER SCENE WITH AND WITHOUT MUSIC.
Amazon.com essential video: At last--a great American movie available on video for the first time in its original aspect ratio. For all the slasher pictures that have ripped off Psycho (and particularly its classic set piece, the "shower scene"), nothing has ever matched the impact of the real thing. More than just a first-rate shocker full of thrills and suspense, Psycho is also an engrossing character study in which director Alfred Hitchcock skillfully seduces you into identifying with the main characters--then pulls the rug (or the bathmat) out from under you. Anthony Perkins is unforgettable as Norman Bates, the mama's boy proprietor of the Bates Motel; and so is Janet Leigh as Marion Crane, who makes an impulsive decision and becomes a fugitive from the law, hiding out at Norman's roadside inn for one fateful night. Psycho gets the masterpiece treatment it deserves on DVD, with extras including newsreel footage surrounding the making and release of the movie; an archive of production stills; the special trailer in which Hitchcock (acting as one of the original Universal Studio tour guides) himself leads viewers around the Bates place; credit designer Saul Bass's original "shower scene" story boards; posters and advertising materials for the movie's William Castle-like publicity campaign (No One Will Be Seated After the Feature Begins!); and a 90-minute documentary on the making of the film! What more could any movie fan possibly want? --Jim Emerson
Amazon.com: At last--a great American movie available on video for the first time in its original aspect ratio. For all the slasher pictures that have ripped off Psycho (and particularly its classic set piece, the "shower scene"), nothing has ever matched the impact of the real thing. More than just a first-rate shocker full of thrills and suspense, Psycho is also an engrossing character study in which director Alfred Hitchcock skillfully seduces you into identifying with the main characters--then pulls the rug (or the bathmat) out from under you. Anthony Perkins is unforgettable as Norman Bates, the mama's boy proprietor of the Bates Motel; and so is Janet Leigh as Marion Crane, who makes an impulsive decision and becomes a fugitive from the law, hiding out at Norman's roadside inn for one fateful night. Psycho gets the masterpiece treatment it deserves on DVD, with extras including newsreel footage surrounding the making and release of the movie; an archive of production stills; the special trailer in which Hitchcock (acting as one of the original Universal Studio tour guides) himself leads viewers around the Bates place; credit designer Saul Bass's original "shower scene" story boards; posters and advertising materials for the movie's William Castle-like publicity campaign (No One Will Be Seated After the Feature Begins!); and a 90-minute documentary on the making of the film! What more could any movie fan possibly want? --Jim Emerson
Psycho ^ A must-have for your collection. Mysteriously, over the years I had never seen the complete movie. We miss Hitchcock so much.
PSYCHO by alfred hitchcock (from amazon) ^ outstanding! saw this movie when it first came out and you had to be seated before the movie started. the production specifics interesting, ingenious considering the era it was produced in. my friend said she saw it recently on TV (on demand) but watched my copy from Amazon and enjoyed it. The great classic from and in the style of the great Alfred Hitchcock from the mid 1950's. was supposed to be a quick and low budget film and it became a 'must see' classic. definitely a keeper.
A upgraded DVD edition, but: wait for a Blu-Ray edition that has been more recently remastered... ^ So much has been written about "Psycho" itself that a buyer of the "Legacy Series" DVD of the film is probably most interested in whether or not this is a better or worse DVD of the film than has been available before.
The "Legacy Series" edition of "Psycho" is a significant upgrade from prior DVD issues of the film. Nevertheless, it does not appear to be a recent high resolution re-telecine of the film elements. It appears to be merely a reprocessed and tweaked version of the same telecine source Universal has flogged over and over in a number of prior DVD editions. Dust and scratches have not been corrected, detail sizzle calls attention to itself, and the opening scene of the city skyline produce strobing as the camera pans.
Contrast and tonality suggest this was made from a release print, or release inter positive, not from the original negative or master interpositive. It looks much better than before, but it hardly the best the film could look. Even played back on an OPPO BDP-83, which some might argue has the best DVD up scaling technology currently available for home users, the image still has a number of source quality, telecine and codec related defects.
All of which leads one to ask: Where's the Blu-Ray edition of this film? AND When is Universal going to get serious about these Hitchcock re-issues and finally do a modern, 4k or better remaster of these films from the original negative or the master interpositive?
A great upgraded edition, but: wait for a Blu-Ray edition that has for sure been recently remastered from better film elements.
Review of Alfred Hitchkock's PSYCHO ^ This is one of Hitchcock's gratest films. The commentary that goes with it is helpful.
"A boy's best friend is his mother." ^ The 2008 special edition of Alfred Hitchcock's "Psycho" brings to modern audiences the spine-chilling thrills of the original plus a great deal more. The digitally remastered print is impeccable and enables viewers to appreciate the set design; the chiaroscuro lighting in which sharp contrasts between light and dark add to the atmosphere of impending doom; and the amazing performances of the leads and the supporting cast. The brilliant Anthony Perkins fully inhabits Norman Bates's character and, for reasons that defy understanding, did not receive an Academy Award nomination as best actor. Also snubbed by the Academy was Bernard Hermann, whose iconic score was played entirely on stringed instruments. Every scene featuring Hermann's music is enhanced by it, especially the famous shower sequence that had audiences in 1960 screaming their heads off. The wonderful Janet Leigh was nominated for her believable portrayal of Marion Crane, an ordinary woman desperate to make a life for herself with the hunky John Gavin. Martin Balsam, a savvy character actor, is a private detective hired to track down Marion when she disappears. Vera Miles, Crane's sister, Lila, aggressively pursues any clue that will help her find Marion. Ultimately, however, Perkins's performance is the one that everyone remembers. His stuttering speech, darting eyes, birdlike movements, ghoulish taxidermy hobby, nervous munching, and references to his overbearing mother all combine to create a character for the ages.
Everything about this movie is carefully thought out and beautifully realized. Hitchcock planned every frame in advance, hired a talented and creative screenwriter, Joseph Stefano, a wonderful cinematographer, John Russell, and a skilled film editor, George Tomasini. The cast and crew worked tirelessly to put Hitchcock's vision on the screen. The shower scene alone took seven days to complete. The result is a terrifying and mesmerizing film that explores such themes as voyeurism, dysfunctional relationships, bad choices that wreck our lives, and the secrets and lies that entrap even the most average people.
The extras are eye-opening. They include informative feature commentary delivered by Stephen Rebello, author of "Alfred Hitchcock and the Making of Psycho." Rebello helps us appreciate Hitchcock's ability to get around the stringent censorship code, his groundbreaking use of camera angles, and his juxtaposition of wry humor and horrific violence. In addition, the late Janet Leigh tells us how much she loved working with "Mr. Hitchcock," whom she respected greatly; she was happy to do whatever he asked of her. Stefano found Hitchcock to be warm and approachable, not at all a cold and forbidding auteur. We also hear from Hitchcock's daughter, Pat, and his assistant director, who notes Hitchcock's close attention to every detail, including lighting, set design, and special effects. In addition, there is archival footage of hundreds of people waiting on long lines to get into the film when it was first released, since no one was admitted after the show began. This gimmick inflamed people's curiosity and helped make "Psycho" a box office bonanza. Hitchcock's legacy is discussed by such luminaries as Martin Scorsese, who admits that he has frequently paid homage to Hitchcock, whom he considers to be one of the most imitated directors of all time. This superb two-disc set is a must-see for fans of "Psycho." Just one bit of advice: Don't watch it while you are in the house alone.
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