The opening night of the Thurrock Film Festival presented a screening of the Hitchcock classic, Psycho. I haven't seen this film for years so, for myself, this was a real treat.
Spoiler - Although it's one of Hollywood's most famous scenes, stop reading if you have never seen the film and go watch it immediately.
Spoiler - Although it's one of Hollywood's most famous scenes, stop reading if you have never seen the film and go watch it immediately.
The film is a tale of two halves with that scene as the dividing wall.
We begin the tale with Marion Crane (Janet Leigh) sprawled over her lover in a hotel room wearing next to nothing. All she wants is to be with her boyfriend, Sam, but he is in debt and doesn't want to drag her into his problems. We then follow Marion back to her job where her boss asks her to deposit $40,000 into the bank. It doesn't take a genius to figure out what happens next and the beautiful Miss Crane is soon driving out of town with the money in her bag. So far it's all very crime drama with a touch of noir.
She eventually ends up at the Bates Motel and we meet Norman (Anthony Perkins). He is handsome and polite, if not socially awkward. It is here that Marion meets her doom in that shower. The iconic scene is not overly gruesome but it's powerful and stays with you after the film has finished.
The second half of the film follows Marion's sister (Vera Miles) and Sam as they try to discover what happened to her. Here the horror elements come to the foreground.
Hitchcock was a master of his trade; Psycho truly showcases his eye for film. Some of the shots convey horror, paranoia and suspense, especially in the scene with the private detective (Martin Balsam) in the Bates' house. His use of shadow and close-ups create a film that conveys a sense of dread that modern directors should take note of.
I'm not a fan of horror but Hitchcock is always an exception. His work is visually wonderful and his stories are captivating. A classic that all film makers and film fans should watch.
The second half of the film follows Marion's sister (Vera Miles) and Sam as they try to discover what happened to her. Here the horror elements come to the foreground.
Hitchcock was a master of his trade; Psycho truly showcases his eye for film. Some of the shots convey horror, paranoia and suspense, especially in the scene with the private detective (Martin Balsam) in the Bates' house. His use of shadow and close-ups create a film that conveys a sense of dread that modern directors should take note of.
I'm not a fan of horror but Hitchcock is always an exception. His work is visually wonderful and his stories are captivating. A classic that all film makers and film fans should watch.
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