Alfred Hitchcock's 1960's 'Pyscho'

At first when I watched Alfred Hitchcock's 1960's Pyscho I didn't understand or appreciate how truly unique this movie was in it's prime. I now realize that this was such a controversial movie because it was one of the first movies that introduced physical violence and darker themes.


The very first scene of the movie was unprecedented In it's depiction of sexuality, showing Sam and Marion as lovers sharing the same bed, with Marion in a bra. According to the Production Code standards of that time, unmarried couples shown in the same bed were a taboo.

This movie also produced one of the most famous scenes in cinema till this day. The shower scene, in which Marion is killed, radiates suspense and fear and was pivotal in cinema history. It set a new standard for horror films. Psycho was dubbed "the first psychoanalytical thriller." The sex and violence in the film were unlike anything previously seen in a mainstream film.

Another reason 'Pyscho' was so notorious in its time was because of the editing and uncommon plot structure of the movie. Hitchcock shocked audiences and broke many of the traditional conventions of movies at the time. The main character was killed off early and various unpredictable camera angles and sound effects were used.

The main themes intertwined with the movie are moral accountability, feelings of being trapped and haunting pasts. Marion Crane stole $40, 000 and struggles with the decision of what is right and wrong while Norman Bates is trapped by his dead mother in a life he doesnt not want. Norman is overtaken by his 'mother' and loses any ability to escape his twisted life.

Previously to seeing this film I watched the 1998 version of 'Psycho' with Vince Vaughn. I found it to be tacky and unsatisfactory in having any frightful effect. The original version is obviously much more successful in creating suspense and quality thriller scenes resulting in it being one of the most famous and controversial movies of all time.