Rent Psycho (1960)

Horror Classic. - Psycho review by Steve

Did anyone see this coming? Forty-five minutes into Psycho, film noir died with Marion Crane (Janet Leigh) in the shower at the Bates Motel, and a new visceral, violent horror emerged into the mainstream; the slasher film. This was a huge departure for Alfred Hitchcock.

Robert Bloch's bestseller based on serial killer Ed Gein was shot by Hitch's tv crew on a B film budget. Anthony Perkins- as Norman Bates- isn't one of the Master's usual jeopardised innocents. Janet Leigh plays an earthy, sexy victim, a long way from the iciness of the classic Hitchcock blonde. Joe Stefano's dialogue is pure pulp poetry.

The pacing is spare and swift. Of course the centrepiece is the most famous montage in cinema history, the shower scene. It still has the power to shock. And Bernard Herrmann's legendary, groundbreaking score must have been heart-stopping in 1960.

That Hitchcock-or anyone- should produce a film like this at that time evades logic. The first hour, until Marion's car sinks into the marsh behind the Bates motel, is a symphony of sustained suspense. Maybe it doesn't maintain that level of virtuosity- but that's subjective. Psycho changed everything.

Superb suspense film, never bettered - Psycho review by RP

Made in 1960, I first saw this at the cinema in 1966 – and if I remember correctly, it had been running at that particular London cinema continuously since its release. I found it disturbing then and watching it again I still felt the same suspense and unease – not exactly horror – that I felt then. Yes, there has since been a (somewhat pointless) remake, but the Hitchcock original is superb. Filmed in black and white, you can't see the blood running red – but you know it's there! Superb – and cleverly misleading – beginning, great middle, excellent ending. Am I using too many superlatives? Probably – but this really is one of my favourite films from one of the 20th century's best directors. Highly recommended. 5/5 stars.

Perkins brilliance - Psycho review by JD

Anthony Perkins plays a man with two personalities so brilliantly it seems to have been his downfall. Why was such a talented actor never seen again? Life is not fair. For me the acting beats the direction easily although without the Hitchcock badge it would not be as well known. The stabbing scenes are totally unimpressive and the amazingly famous shower scene not at all horrific. Norman Bates however is just so believably mad he deserves the fame credited to the the film.