Psycho is about a fed-up secretary, who goes on the run, after stealing from her employer’s client. Trouble brews as she gets off the main highway and checks into a remote motel run by a peculiar young man dominated by his mother.
Language:
English
Running Time:
109 mins
Rating:
R
Release date:
16 June 1960
Directed by:
Alfred Hitchcock
Produced by:
Alfred Hitchcock
Written by:
Joseph Stefano
Based on:
Psycho
by Robert Bloch
Starring:
Anthony Perkins
Janet Leigh
Vera Miles
John Gavin
Martin Balsam
Music by:
Bernard Herrmann
Shot by:
John L. Russell
Editing by:
George Tomasini
Distributed by:
Paramount Pictures
Universal Pictures

What’s Hot

  • The movie though based on a book, has some small yet significant differences when compared to the book which really makes the movie unique in its treatment.
  • The eerie score by Bernard Herrmann lifts the film to such a level, that it gives the audience goose bumps, every single time it is heard in the film.
  • The cuts and camera angles, especially in the “Shower scene” having about 77 different camera angles and 50 cuts, create an everlasting impact.
  • Anthony Perkins and Janet Leigh are given strong characters which they deliver beautifully on screen. Supporting characters such as Det. Arbogast (Martin Balsam) & Marion’s sister (Vera Miles) add color to this chilling black-and-white tale.
  • To bring out a story like this onto celluloid in the 1960s with minimal budget and still make it successful is an art that a lot of people are still trying to ape. Hats off to Sir Alfred Hitchcock breaking the template and pulling it off.

What’s Not

  • The character of Sam does not have enough screen presence. He is used just as a prop for the leading lady, Marion.
  • The fact that the highway patrol officer and the detective never meet is very strange. The officer could have directed the detective better instead of him scouting every damn motel on or near the highway.

Badges

Verdict

Verdict Stamp

The mother of all thrillers from the Master of Suspense!