Secretary Marion Crane (Janet Leigh), working in Arizona, United States, finds herself making a desperate decision after stealing a large sum of money from her employer. Upon fleeing her city, she eventually stops at the isolated Bates Motel, where she meets the seemingly polite, but rather unusual owner, Norman Bates (Anthony Perkins). What initially appears to be a quiet overnight stay, quickly develops into something far more sinister. An extremely well-known and well-received picture, which has become a major part of cinematic history since its release over sixty years ago.
Director: Alfred Hitchcock
Writers: Joseph Stefano, Robert Bloch
Starring: Anthony Perkins, Janet Leigh, Vera Miles, John Gavin
Directed by Alfred Hitchcock and written by Joseph Stefano, Psycho was released in September 1960, based on a novel of the same name, written by Robert Bloch in 1959. Interestingly, Hitchcock himself purchased the film rights to the novel anonymously, helping to keep its secrets away from audiences before release. Made on a fairly modest budget, Psycho went on to become a huge commercial success and is now regarded as one of the filmmaker’s most important and influential films, with many film fans typically viewing Psycho around the October Halloween season.
One of the biggest strengths of Psycho would have to be its potent and iconic soundtrack, composed by Bernard Herrmann. The sharp and instantly recognisable music accompanies many of the film’s more suspenseful scenes, adding a brilliant layer of tension to an already unsettling picture. Alongside this, the clever camera work, set design and overall production value all play a huge part in creating an effective and suspenseful atmosphere.
The suspenseful atmosphere is one that is present from the opening minute through to the final moments of the flick. Due to this, Psycho is also a surprisingly fast-paced film, moving between different situations without ever feeling too slow or drawn out. Additionally, the black-and-white cinematography works particularly well too, giving the film a darker and more uncomfortable appearance compared to a more colourful and vibrant feel.
In terms of the cast, Anthony Perkins delivers an excellent performance as Norman Bates, commanding a fair chunk of screentime, while Janet Leigh is equally as effective as Marion Crane, who gained a 1961 Oscar nomination for Actress in a Supporting Role in the process. Elsewhere, Vera Miles portrays Lila Crane and John Gavin plays Sam Loomis, both receiving a modest amount of screentime.
All in all, Psycho is a brilliantly crafted thriller that shows exactly why Alfred Hitchcock remains such an important figure in cinema. Its iconic soundtrack, fast pace, clever cinematography and almost constant sense of suspense ensure the film remains gripping more than sixty years later. The story is filled with drama, unexpected turns and plenty of small details that reward viewers that pay attention. A hugely effective film that still holds up remarkably well today – well worth a watch.
“We all go a little mad sometimes. Haven’t you?”
Norman Bates – Psycho
