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 Label: Universal Studios Number of Items: 1 Picture Format: Letterbox Region Code: 1 Release Date: May 27, 1998 Running Time: 109 minutes Theatrical Release Date: June 16, 1960
Description: Alfred Hitchcock's landmark masterpiece of the macabre stars Anthony Perkins as the troubled Norman Bates, whose old dark house and adjoining motel are not the place to spend a quiet evening. No one knows that better than Marion Crane (Janet Leigh), the ill-fated traveler whose journey ends in the notorious "shower scene." First a private detective, then Marion's sister (Vera Miles) searches for her, the horror and the suspense mount to a terrifying climax where the mysterious killer is finally revealed.
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
It is Crucial That You See Psycho From The Very Beginning Psycho, when it first starts, turns out as a mundane lady trying to stela money and get away. Byt the time the movie , all of those moments that were in the movie beforehand come together in an eirre way, and you will understand that Psycho is pretty unforgettable.
Alfred Hitchcock is known for his director's techniques, and of course, it's here. You can tell by the many shots and angles, I don't know, I haven't really discovered much Hitcock. But still, I still can see many cool shots (?) in this movie. Something I am a bit more informed on is the soundtrack, which is yet another reason why Bernard Herrmann is a legend in the movie business, and music as well (come on, his resume includes this, Citizen Kane, and Taxi Driver!). The sets aren't very stylized or jaw-dropping, but it's good a nice look. The acting is very good, but there's no doubt Anthony Perkins steals the show. His crazy stare? Just brilliant and creepy, even I was creeped out! Pretty much everybody else does a meh kind of job, though believeable.
But what makes Psycho so good beyond all this? The psycholigcal leanings, of course! While I feel that some of the psychological , there is no doubting that the human mind explored here is fascinating and unusual. I still question the whole Mother/Son split personality, something I have no past experiences, though I do have two sides of me that gabber on sometimes, and even I talk to myselves (don't ask). Psycho will give you a bit to chew on, and will have you walked away with a feeling of shock. Not quite the shock of seeing your mother ________ right in front of you shock, but maybe a bit of amazement and the shock you get when something it enlightned.
To tell you the truth, Psycho is a movie that I admire more than I enjoy, though I did enjoy it, but wouldn't exactly watch it all the time. But even then, when I sat in some bored fazes during the movie (mostly attributed to the fact that we know exactly what there going to do), you still can't deny Psycho's credibility, and it's much more than a horror movie (more of a psychological thriller). Now I see where Blue Velvet got it's inspiration from (I still love that movie, however). Remember to watch it all the way through, as there is no other way to watch it.
B-
One of Hitchcock's best! Psycho (1960) is one of Alfred Hitchcock's greatest films! It is by far his most famous and most memorable film.
Although some of its scariness may have dulled down over the years, it still passes as an effectively creepy movie. What makes Psycho so memorable? First and foremost is the shower scene. For me, the screeching violins and plunging knife are still shocking. One thing I admire about the scene is while it was considered racy (for its time), Hitchcock was able to produce shock without relying on gore or nudity to create the desired effect. It is a concept that many horror directors today still fail to grasp. Anthony Perkins is iconic as Norman Bates. The film is full of classic lines. Another aspect of the movie's overall creepiness is that it was shot in black and white. It helps create shadowy effects that could not have been produced nearly as well in color. The use of mirrors as symbolism is really cool as well.
I'm reviewing the one-disc collector's edition, so here are the most interesting bonus features: there's a feature-length making-of documentary that includes interviews with Janet Leigh, the screenwriter Joseph Stefano, and Pat Hitchcock. There is also the original theatrical trailer in which Alfred Hitchcock gives us a tour of the Bates Motel set and the Psycho house. A comparison of the shower scene with and without the music is very interesting. Newsreel footage is also included.
A true Hitchcock masterpiece! 5 stars!
"We all go a little mad sometimes" Psycho firmly stands its ground as the movie that served as a blueprint for many, many horror movies to come. It is a pop culture phenomenon, a classic, and an icon, and that status will only increase with time.
Considering that the movie is more than twice my age, there's simply nothing I can say about it that hasn't already been stated, picked apart, and analyzed meticulously. Although it is scary in its own right, Psycho may not scare people nowadays the way it did when it came out in 1960. Psycho set a standard, and from there horror movies have continued to push the envelope for decades in a never ending quest to strike fear into the respective audiences of their time. Compared to the horror movies of today, Psycho may come across as tame, or even boring to the younger thrill-seeking generations. But Psycho remains proof that a good horror movie is a well crafted story foremost, and that the bells and whistles of gore and schock should always be secondary to the real terror at the core.
Everyone should own a copy of this movie, or at least see it once.
"We All Go a Little Mad Sometimes"!!! I received Psycho as a Christmas present in 2003! (Good times!) This is a classic about a psychopath named Norman Bates, who talks to himself in his mom's voice and dresses as her. In my opinion, this is one of Alfred Hitchcock's masterpieces! The ultimate scare scene is the shower scene. If you've read my reviews before, you'd know that I love the movie HALLOWEEN. The character of Sam Loomis comes from this movie! If you love classic slashers, you'll love PSYCHO!!!
Psycho is the best horror movie, you should own at least one DVD of it I absolutely just love this movie ! This is one of the best horror movies of all time, and Hitchcock said he did it as a joke. This was his first horror movie, a huge departure from his crime & suspense drama's. Never has one scene caused so much attention and inspired all the slashers you see today. The most iconic scene ever is the shower scene,bar none. Nothing like this had ever been shown, a man who dresses as a woman due to a mother complex kills people who arouse him, and those who try to catch the killer. Anthony Perkins was typecast forever for his role of Norman Bates. Janet Leigh became an icon who refused to let her daughter watch this,of course that is Jamie Lee Curtis, who went on to star in Halloween. John Gavin is Sam Loomis, where else did you hear this name - why Halloween of course - Donald Pleasence - he is Dr. Sam Loomis - hmm. This movie broke new grounds for horror suspense and even as Janet Leigh walking around in her under garments. This was Hitch's most serious horror so he appeared early (as he usually does in his films) but this movie was more subtle since this movie was not to contain any inside jokes. The music is fantastic, parts of it show up in Friday the 13th, Re-Animator,etc. If you have never seen this movie, you really really must see this. A brilliant movie, in black and white, to show the grittiness of the picture. ULTRA HIGHEST RECOMMENDATION. The DVD that I have is the new book shaped case with all sorts of bonus features which to me are just fantastic. A lot of people still like the collectors edition, or the box set, or what have you. I went for the Legacy and I am quite happy with the transfer, features,etc. A double dip that to me was worth it.
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